| Author | |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: July 02 2010 at 3:07am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Does anyone have any great remedies on how to remove mildew/mould from clothes?
My children have a number of mildew stains on their dress up clothes (they have left them out in the rain a couple of times  ) and I'd love to make them, look like new.
I've being doing some google searches and coming up with solutions such as add a cup of vinegar to the washing load or add salt and let sit. I'd love to hear opinions, solutions 
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Trinity
Forum Pro
Joined: June 12 2010
Location: Connecticut
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 114
|
| Posted: July 02 2010 at 6:04am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I don't know, but will be watching this thread for ideas. I have some reusable snack bags and one got a bit wet and sat for a few days in the heat...oh dear. : (
I'm going to try a long soak in oxiclean to see if that gets the stains out. I often use it for cloth diapers and mama cloth and it works great.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: July 02 2010 at 6:33am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have let clothes soak in oxiclean for up to two weeks to get stubborn stains out. I have also read about people soaking items in a very, very dilute bleach solution for several days. There is always the risk with bleach that the whole item might be ruined. If you have nothing to lose, you could try it.
I haven't had very good luck with just adding vinegar to the wash. I have heard about, but haven't tried, applying lemon juice and letting the item sit in the sun.
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
hylabrook1
Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5980
|
| Posted: July 02 2010 at 8:59am | IP Logged
|
|
|
After the soaking and washing, setting things out in the sunshine should help.
Peace,
Nancy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: July 02 2010 at 4:44pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have tried bleach in the past with okay results. Have also used lemon juice on prams with some improvement. Was hoping for a miracle product
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CrunchyMom
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 03 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6385
|
| Posted: July 02 2010 at 4:58pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have a friend who swears by Fels Naptha soap for all kinds of clothing stains. I keep meaning to try it, I'm just a terrible laundress. However, I'm not sure if you can get it in down under.
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Christine
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 23 2006
Location: Washington
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1151
|
| Posted: July 02 2010 at 6:21pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
White vinegar usually works if the item has not already gone through the drier. I pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and then spray it on the item.
__________________
Christine
Mommy to 4 girls, 5 boys, & 2 in God's care
Memories of a Catholic Wife and Mother
Pretty Lilla Rose
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
leanne maree
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 25 2008
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 508
|
| Posted: July 03 2010 at 6:53am | IP Logged
|
|
|
What about Napisan... make it a little stronger than normal
leanne
__________________
God is Love
Leanne
Loving wife to Dermot and Adoring mother to Louise, Kristie, Kieran & Brid
http://leannemaree.blogspot.com/
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JaysFamily
Forum Pro
Joined: March 30 2010
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 241
|
| Posted: July 06 2010 at 3:23pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I once removed a black mold/mildew stain from a light khaki skirt by spraying vinegar on the stain and letting it soak, then wash and repeat. Then, I let it air dry and sprayed vinegar on the stain once more and set the skirt out in the sun to dry. The stain was completely gone. It worked on the skirt, but I've not had as much success with that method on a white cotton rug that was forgotten after it was soaked. 
__________________
In Christ,
Jaysfamily
wife to Jay
mother to DS(5)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erica Sanchez
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 05 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1538
|
| Posted: July 06 2010 at 11:48pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
OxiClean did not work at all for me for mold. I had good luck on some colored items using powdered Tide with Bleach. I used a lot and soaked for a long time. I love the vinegar idea.
__________________
Have a beautiful and fun day!
Erica in San Diego
(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
leanne maree
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 25 2008
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 508
|
| Posted: July 07 2010 at 6:34am | IP Logged
|
|
|
What about bi carb soda mixed to a paste and placed on the mildew spots. Let it dry, wash and repeat if necessary. my dd22 reminded me of this over our last summer.
Leanne
__________________
God is Love
Leanne
Loving wife to Dermot and Adoring mother to Louise, Kristie, Kieran & Brid
http://leannemaree.blogspot.com/
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Nina
Forum Pro
Joined: Nov 13 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 154
|
| Posted: July 09 2010 at 6:09pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Have you tried Borax? I use Borax with very hot water. I buy it at Walmart or Target.
__________________
Mom to 3ds and 4dd.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
amy_payson
Forum Newbie
Joined: Feb 08 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17
|
| Posted: July 09 2010 at 10:11pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I'm not sure about actual mildew spots (haven't really had to deal with that) but I have had the issue of towels smelling like mildew. I solved this problem when I switched to cloth diapers and learned how to wash them properly. I just started washing my towels the same way and haven't had to deal w/that smell since.
I learned the mildew smell is caused by a buildup of fabric softener. Vinegar and baking soda are your best friends of stripping this buildup, killing bacteria and fungi and germs, as well as returning clothes to natural "for real" clean smell.
Fill fabric softener dispenser with vinegar, put in a 1/2 cup (or 2 if severally smelly or bad) of baking soda right on top of clothes/towels when you put in the laundry soap. Wash on hot cycle.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Amy Payson
simply necessary
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
sewcrazy
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2006
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 735
|
| Posted: July 29 2010 at 6:42pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Baking soda, vinegar and tea tree oil in hot water works well.
__________________
LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Belle
Forum Rookie
Joined: June 20 2010
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 53
|
| Posted: July 30 2010 at 12:49am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Erin, did you ever get the stains out?
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: July 30 2010 at 4:07pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Belle
I ended up soaking them in double strength Napi-San and hanging them in the sunlight. It didn't remove it but it did lessen it.
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Belle
Forum Rookie
Joined: June 20 2010
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 53
|
| Posted: Aug 05 2010 at 6:54am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Well, lightening it is a start I suppose! 
So, Napi-san only a little effective....
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Forum Locked) 
4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Removing Mildew from Clothes
