How to remove mould from clothes at home

To remove mould from clothes, take the piece outside and brush off the loose spores first, so they do not spread indoors. Then soak it for about an hour in a mix of one part white vinegar to four parts water, or in an oxygen bleach solution for white and colourfast cotton. Wash it on the warmest setting the care label allows, check the spots before drying, and dry it fast in sunlight or a well-ventilated spot. Repeat if needed. Silk, wool and anything labelled “dry clean only” should not be treated this way.

In Malaysia’s rainy months, clothes that dry slowly or sit damp in a cupboard can grow small grey, black or green spots. The sooner you deal with them, the better your chances of getting them out.

What you need

• A soft clothes brush or an old toothbrush
• A face mask, if you are sensitive to dust or mould
• A basin or bucket
• White vinegar, or oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) for whites and colourfast cotton
• Baking soda (optional, for the wash)
• Your usual laundry detergent

First, check the care label

Look at the label before you use anything on the fabric.

• Cotton, linen and polyester usually handle a vinegar or oxygen bleach soak and a warm wash.
• Coloured clothes may fade with bleach. Use vinegar, and test it on a hidden spot such as an inside seam first.
• Silk, wool, leather, and anything marked “dry clean only” should not be soaked or scrubbed. Water and acids can leave marks or shrink them.

Never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar or ammonia. The fumes are dangerous.

How to remove mould from clothes, step by step

1. Brush it off outside. Take the piece out to the balcony or corridor and gently brush the dry spots away from you. Do it outside so spores do not settle on your sofa, bed or other clothes. Do not shake it next to clean laundry.

   

2. Soak in vinegar. Mix one part white vinegar with four parts cool water in a basin and soak the piece for about an hour. Vinegar is gentle enough for most colours and helps lift the spots and the smell.

   

3. Use oxygen bleach for stubborn spots on whites. For white or colourfast cotton, dissolve oxygen bleach in warm water as the packet says and soak for a few hours. It is gentler on fabric than chlorine bleach. Do not use it on silk or wool.

4. Wash warm. Wash the piece on its own or with a few similar items, using your usual detergent and the warmest water the label allows. Half a cup of baking soda in the wash can help with the smell.

5. Check before drying. Look at the spots before the piece goes on the line. If they are still there, repeat the soak. Heat and time can set what is left.

6. Dry it fast. Sunlight helps, so hang whites out in the sun. Dry coloured pieces in a bright, airy spot out of direct sun so they do not fade. Make sure the piece is completely dry before it goes back in the wardrobe.

Old mould can leave a light shadow even after the spores are gone, especially on cotton that sat damp for weeks. Some fabrics will not fully recover.

How to stop mould coming back

• Never leave wet laundry sitting. Take it out of the machine as soon as the cycle ends.
• Dry everything fully. A shirt that feels dry on the outside can still be damp at the seams and collar. Our tips on how to get rid of musty smell in clothes cover drying indoors in a condo during the rainy season.
• Do not pack the wardrobe tight. Leave space for air, and keep the door open for a while on dry days.
• Use a moisture absorber in the wardrobe and change it when it fills up.
• Air out stored clothes and bedding. Festive wear, school uniforms and spare bedding that sit for months are the usual victims. See how to keep your comforter fresh in the rainy season and how to wash bedding at home.

If the mould has left a yellow mark on a white shirt, our guide on how to remove yellow stains from a white shirt may help.

When to leave it to a professional

Home treatment works best on cotton and synthetics with fresh spots. Get help for silk, wool, suits, leather, festive and traditional wear, and anything marked “dry clean only”. Our post on what not to machine-wash explains which pieces are safer away from water, and what dry cleaning does explains how it cleans without soaking the fabric.

FAQ

Does vinegar kill mould on clothes?

White vinegar helps break down mould spots and their smell, and it is gentle enough for most colours. Soak for about an hour, then wash as normal. Check the spots before drying and repeat if needed.

Can I use chlorine bleach on mouldy clothes?

Only on white cotton whose label allows chlorine bleach, and never mixed with vinegar or ammonia. For most clothes, oxygen bleach is the safer choice.

Is mould on clothes dangerous?

Mould spores can irritate the nose, eyes and skin, and can be a problem for people with allergies or asthma. Brush it off outside, wear a mask if you are sensitive, and wash your hands afterwards.

Can mould stains be removed completely?

Fresh spots often come out fully. Spots that sat for weeks can leave a faint mark, and some fabrics will not recover.

Mouldy pieces at our Cheras shop

If the spots are on something delicate or precious, or you have a pile of damp clothes and no way to dry them, Superman Laundry in Taman Cheras (Cheras Yulek) can help. Wash and fold is RM4.50 per kg (minimum 3 kg), stain removal is RM8 or RM10 per piece depending on size, and dry cleaning starts at RM14 for a shirt. See dry cleaning and our prices page for all current rates. Stain removal results vary by fabric and stain. Your items are never mixed with other customers’ laundry. You can drop off at the shop, or use pickup and delivery (minimum order RM80, fee quoted by distance). We are open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 7pm. Most jobs are ready within about 3 working days, and express is available. WhatsApp 013-833 5526 if you want to ask about a piece first.