Getting mould off fabric?

Ames

Hi all, I'm hoping that all you experts can help me.

My flat has a really bad mould problem. It often gets onto blankets and cushions, which I tend to throw out but it's got onto my favourite bedspread and my favourite shirt. Is there any way of getting rid of it? Washing them doesn't seem to help but I can't think of anything else.

It's a black speckly mould, which I think could be mildew?

Oliver14

If they're white you could try soaking them in a weak bleach solution. Normally around 1 part to 20. Then rinse after an hour or so or a Ratio of around 1/40 if soaking over night

Ames

They're both a beige-y colour. Would that be affected by the bleach?

PipneyJane

John Lewis used to sell a mould/mildew remover for use on clothing/fabric. I soaked a white, silk, crepe de chine blouse in it once with great success. The blouse was covered in mildew spots.

mavon

I have used Dettox mould and mildew remover with success on many fabrics including vertical blinds and a pushchair.

ragz_2

Hanging them in the sun after washing should help. Beige will be affected by bleach, all colours are I think. Use bio powder and chuck some tea tree oil in the wash too as that's antifungal.
If it's doing that to your clothes, what is it doing to you? Mould spores in your lungs is really not good. Can you/your landlord if you're renting do anything about it? Improve ventilation, strip the walls, paint with fungicidal paint?

TimBear

White vinegar is quite good, especially for getting rid of the musty smell. It doesn't make your clothes smell of vinegar either!

Use it instead of fabric softener and hang your things out in the sun to dry after.

Ames

Thanks for the tips, I'll try the natural suggestions first and if no luck I'll look for the anti mildew stuff.

ragz wrote: »

Hanging them in the sun after washing should help. Beige will be affected by bleach, all colours are I think. Use bio powder and chuck some tea tree oil in the wash too as that's antifungal.
If it's doing that to your clothes, what is it doing to you? Mould spores in your lungs is really not good. Can you/your landlord if you're renting do anything about it? Improve ventilation, strip the walls, paint with fungicidal paint?

I do think the mould contributed to the three chest infections I had last winter, although my immunodeficiency disorder makes me prone to them anyway.

I'm in a council flat. They did a survey about 3 years ago that said it needs more ventilation, work should be starting later this year. The council did paint one and a half walls in the bedroom that were bad with antifungal paint, and I try not to put things against the walls, but that's not always possible. Ditto with opening the windows, there used to only be two that opened but I was burgled in October and one of them boarded up which hasn't been sorted yet, so there's only one now. I think the mould's in the bedroom carpet under the bed though because the shirt that's got it on had slipped under there and been missed for a while.

zippychick

This thread may have some useful ideas? we have an older thread on r emoving mildew from a pram (still material so it may help)

Zip