MOLD in you clothes-needs your attention
Mold is a fungus that thrives on organic matter, and it appears in a wide variety of forms. Some molds are deliberately cultivated, to make cheeses and some antibiotics. Other molds are unwanted and are found in food on the counter, inside the fridge, or smeared into carpeting and clothing. Molds are not photosynthetic; many molds are photosensitive and will die in bright light. Because molds can form in a variety of environments, mold stains, especially on clothing, can pop up with irritating frequency.
Prevention is the first step in dealing with mold stains on clothing. Mold stains form when clothing is splashed with food or allowed to get wet and left somewhere warm and dark. When food spills occur, it is best to clean them immediately and wash the clothing before mold and the resultant mold stains can form. When putting the laundry away, you need to be sure that all the cloths are completely dry before you fold and store them. When you put them away, be sure that the area is well ventilated
If mold stains have already set in, there are a number of steps to follow. The sooner you catch the mold stains the better, before the organisms have a chance to dig in. Bring the mold stained clothing outside and brush it out, to prevent the spores from spreading around your home. Clothing that has been stored in proximity to the mold stained garments should also be taken to air out. Cleaning the shelf, drawer, or closet where the clothing was kept with bleach and water solution will kill any spores floating in that environment.
The next step is to leave the clothing in the sun to dry out, because heat and sunlight will kill many varieties of mold. Hang the garment from the clothes line outside so they it remain well ventilated in the direct sunlight. Mold stains will likely still remain, because fungus discolors fabric.
Then presoak the mold stains in cold water before you wash them in hot or warm water with detergent. From there follow the drying instructions on the label making sure the mold stains are gone.
If the stains persist, call our store to discuss the situation and we can make suggestions from there, or if you like, we can pick them up, clean them and return them to you with our Star Valet Service.
Prevention is the first step in dealing with mold stains on clothing. Mold stains form when clothing is splashed with food or allowed to get wet and left somewhere warm and dark. When food spills occur, it is best to clean them immediately and wash the clothing before mold and the resultant mold stains can form. When putting the laundry away, you need to be sure that all the cloths are completely dry before you fold and store them. When you put them away, be sure that the area is well ventilated
If mold stains have already set in, there are a number of steps to follow. The sooner you catch the mold stains the better, before the organisms have a chance to dig in. Bring the mold stained clothing outside and brush it out, to prevent the spores from spreading around your home. Clothing that has been stored in proximity to the mold stained garments should also be taken to air out. Cleaning the shelf, drawer, or closet where the clothing was kept with bleach and water solution will kill any spores floating in that environment.
The next step is to leave the clothing in the sun to dry out, because heat and sunlight will kill many varieties of mold. Hang the garment from the clothes line outside so they it remain well ventilated in the direct sunlight. Mold stains will likely still remain, because fungus discolors fabric.
Then presoak the mold stains in cold water before you wash them in hot or warm water with detergent. From there follow the drying instructions on the label making sure the mold stains are gone.
If the stains persist, call our store to discuss the situation and we can make suggestions from there, or if you like, we can pick them up, clean them and return them to you with our Star Valet Service.
