How To Prevent Mould On Clothing ~ My Life Your Way

Vintage clothes often hold memories and/or cultural value. It could be a dress worn on that last first date, a pair of lucky game socks, or a staple brought out on special occasions. Or, maybe something purchased from a thrift store or charity shop that’s new to you. But old clothes can become a fashion nightmare and health hazard if they develop mould.

Clothes hanging on a wooden rack, featuring white, beige, brown, and gray tops on hangers against a crisp white background. Ensure they remain fresh and free of mould on clothing to keep that pristine look.

Mould spores are tiny in size so they can end up anywhere and cause adverse health reactions. Mould spores can be introduced to clothing while walking to work, driving with the windows down, or simply from sitting out in the garden. Since these wardrobe items are constant companions and go where we go, there are a million opportunities for mould spores to slip right into the strands of fabric of whatever we’re wearing. Not to mention, those mould spores can zip right into wherever those clothing items are stored. When left in a cool, dark place with little ventilation, like a wardrobe, your clothes can quickly become contaminated with mould. Ultimately, it may become such an issue that only services offering mold removal in Andover, MA (or services in your own area) will be able to remedy it for you. However, there are a few things you can try first.

How to tell if there's mould on clothing:

Mould can be any colour
Smells earthy, damp, and musty
Listen to the body; are any adverse health reactions occurring while wearing them? (Runny nose, watery eyes, chronic fatigue, brain fog, digestive problems, are just a few).

Close-up of mold spores on a dark background, resembling the delicate patterns often seen in mould on clothing, with tiny stalks illuminated by light.

What to do with clothing that has mould on it:

Toss it out. Once mould starts to colonize, those roots will grow deep into the fibres of whatever surface it’s on. For porous items like clothing, that leads to mouldy roots throughout the fibres of the garment. On the other hand, that living mould is also releasing spores and potentially toxins into the surrounding area and into the clothing item. Thanks to their small size, many of these particles can embed themselves deep within the fibres of the fabric as well.
Decontaminate the nearby space by deep cleaning.
Figure out the source that led to the fibres clothes in the first place and fix it.

Preventing mould on clothing:

Keep clothing dry: Whether getting them out of the dryer or coming in from the rain, make sure that clothing dries quickly and completely before placing them in storage. Mould only needs 24-48 hours to start growing.
Wash all clothing with a botanical cleaner. Mould spores will inevitably make their way into your clothing. Using a product like this helps remove as many microscopic particles as possible from the garments, reducing the opportunity for mould on clothes to occur.
Maintaining low indoor humidity: Aim for a humidity level of 30 to 50 percent. The lower the level, the fewer opportunities there are for mould to grow. If humidity remains high, consider purchasing a dehumidifier and throwing in desiccants like silica gel packets into the closet, dresser, or storage bin to help remove as much moisture as possible.
Invest in air purification: Whether a whole-home unit or a portable one for the room, these machines will help remove all of those harmful particles from the air, including mould spores. The fewer mould spores in the indoor environment, the fewer opportunities for mould on clothing. Make sure to go with a unit that will actually filter out these particles, though.
Clean the storage areas: Remove all of the items from the closet, dresser, armoire, etc. Use a HEPA vacuum cleaner on every inch of the space and then follow up with a botanical cleaner depending on the surface you’re working on. While cleaning, check for any hidden mould issues or leaks/water issues that could lead to mould on clothes.
Prioritize airflow: Creating airflow helps remove any humid air and decreases particle buildup. This step can include opening closet doors and drawers, reducing the number of items in direct contact with the floor, and opting for wire racks. Whatever you can do to get that air moving.
Keep dirty clothes out of the closet

We hope that you find these tips on how to prevent mould on clothing useful, thank you to Michael Rubino for the tips.

Connect with Michael Rubino on Facebook @AllAmericanRestorationTM and Instagram @TheMoldMedic, and visit www.themoldmedic.com and www.allamericanrestoration.com.

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