Did your shirt come back from laundry
with unknown black, blotchy stains? Do not panic; these are mold stains –
dangerous and unsightly, but removable. Mold can grow anywhere, including
clothes. All it requires is a moist environment. It is possible that your
clothes were left in the washing machine for too long or put in the cupboard
while they were still wet, causing mold to grow on them. Mold stains are not
similar to other grease or food stains. To get rid of the stain, you have to
get rid of the mold itself.
To begin with, take the affected
clothes outside, and hang them in the sun. Since mold is photosensitive, it
gets killed by the sunlight. This will also prevent mold spores from spreading
on to other clothes and objects inside the house. Using a soft, bristle brush,
brush off the entire mold from the clothing. Do not reuse that brush for other
purposes later. Always read the label of the clothing before treating the stain
for any instructions regarding a specific ingredient
Method One (Using Lemon and Salt)
Things that you will require:
·
Bowl
·
Lemons
·
Table
salt
·
Starch
·
Soft,
white cloths
·
Laundry
detergent
Steps that you will need to take:
1.
Firstly,
to make your cleaning solution, squeeze out a few lemons in a bowl.
2.
Add
2 tablespoons of table salt in the bowl. If the material is linen, add 1
teaspoon of starch to the solution as well.
3.
Grab
a soft, white cloth, and dip it in the solution.
4.
Now,
apply this solution on to the stained area, and rub gently.
5.
Hang
the clothes in the sun for around 30 minutes or longer if required till the
stain fades away. Linen may have to be left in the sun for up to 3 hours.
6.
Now,
wash your clothes normally with your usual laundry detergent.
7.
Let
the clothes dry in the sun completely.
Tip:
This method is most suitable for colored clothing.
Method Two (Using Hydrogen Peroxide)
Things that you will require:
·
Powdered
laundry detergent
·
Water
·
Hydrogen
peroxide
Steps that you will need to take:
1.
Firstly,
soak the stained clothing in warm water.
2.
Secondly,
grab a box of powdered laundry detergent. Start applying the powdered laundry
detergent on to the stain till a paste forms.
3.
Leave
the paste in place for 15 minutes, and then rinse it in warm water.
4.
Next,
put the affected clothing in the washing machine containing hot water. Pour half
a cup of hydrogen peroxide in the water.
5.
Let
the clothing be washed in hydrogen peroxide.
6.
If
the mold stain still remains, repeat the cycle once again.
7.
Hang
the clothes outside in the sun, and let them dry.
Warning:
This is most suitable for white clothing,
except nylon. Check the solution on a hidden part of the clothing to see if it
discolors due to hydrogen peroxide. If it does, do not use it.
Method Three (Using Chlorine Bleach)
Things that you will require:
·
Water
·
Laundry
detergent
·
Mild
chlorine bleach
Steps that you will need to take:
1.
If
you have noticed the stain after a long time, and now it is acting stubborn, a
chemical agent such as chlorine bleach can help you get rid of it.
2.
Soak
the garment in cold water for a while.
3.
Next,
wash it as normal with laundry detergent in warm water.
4.
Now,
apply a thin layer of mild chlorine bleach on to the Mold Stain.
5.
Hang
the garment in the sun for 10 to 12 minutes.
6.
After
10 to 12 minutes, wash the garment again with laundry detergent in warm water.
7.
Let
the clothes dry completely in the sun.
Warning:
Bleach
is not suitable for silk, wool and nylon. Some materials may also be discolored
by bleach. It is recommended that you test all solutions on an inconspicuous
area of the garment to check if it discolors.
Method Four (Using Borax)
Things that you will require:
·
Borax
·
Water
·
Laundry
detergent
Steps that you will need to take:
1.
To
remove the stains from your clothes using borax, put your clothes in the
washing machine. The water in the washing machine should be of normal
temperature.
2.
Add
your usual laundry detergent to the washing machine.
3.
Pour
hot water in a bowl, and add half a cup of powdered borax in it. Make sure that
the borax powder completely dissolves in the water.
4.
Now,
add the dissolved borax in the washing machine.
5.
Wash
your clothes as normal.
6.
Hang
the clothes in the sun, and let them dry completely.
Tip:
Use dissolved borax on a small, unnoticeable
patch of the garment first to see if borax discolors the garment. If it does,
do not use it on the stain.
he
garment. If it does, do not use it on the stain.
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