Can You Wash Mold Out of Clothes? (Complete Step-by-Step Guide)

Discovering mold on your favorite shirt or jacket is one of the more unpleasant laundry surprises. The good news? In most cases, yes — you can wash mold out of clothes, and you don’t need any expensive products to do it. With a few household staples and the right technique, most moldy garments can be fully restored.

This guide covers everything you need to know: how to remove mold from fabric safely, which cleaning agents work best, and how to stop mold from coming back.

What Causes Mold to Grow on Clothes?

Mold is a fungus that thrives wherever moisture and organic material meet. Clothes offer both. Some of the most common causes include:

• Leaving wet clothes sitting too long in the washing machine or laundry basket
• Storing clothes in damp spaces like basements or poorly ventilated closets
• Packing away clothing before it’s completely dry
• High indoor humidity without proper air circulation
• Forgetting a gym bag full of sweaty workout gear

Mold spores are naturally present in the air around us. They only become a problem when they land on a damp surface and are left undisturbed long enough to colonize. Once that musty smell hits, mold growth has already begun.

Can Washing Remove Mold from Clothes?

Yes, washing can remove mold from clothes — but regular detergent alone usually isn’t enough. Mold spores grip fabric fibers tightly, so effective removal almost always requires a pre-treatment step before the wash cycle. The combination of a mold-killing agent (like white vinegar, borax, or hydrogen peroxide) plus hot water gives you the best chance of eliminating both the visible stain and any lingering spores.

Important: Never wash moldy clothes mixed in with your regular laundry. Mold spores can transfer to other garments during the wash cycle, spreading the problem further.

How to Get Mold Out of Clothes: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Take the Clothes Outside

Before you do anything, bring the moldy garments outside. This prevents mold spores from becoming airborne inside your home and settling on other surfaces.

Step 2: Brush Off Loose Mold Spores

Using a stiff-bristled brush, gently scrub off any visible mold from the surface of the fabric. Work outdoors and wear a mask if you’re sensitive to mold. Don’t skip this step — removing loose spores first makes the soaking and washing steps much more effective.

Step 3: Pre-Treat the Moldy Areas

Choose one of the following mold-killing agents based on what you have on hand and what your fabric can tolerate:

Treatment Option	How to Use	Best For
White Vinegar	Soak in undiluted vinegar or 1:3 vinegar-to-water solution for 1 hour	Most fabrics; kills mold and neutralizes odor
Borax	Dissolve ½ cup in hot water; apply to stains or add to wash	Machine-washable fabrics
Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)	Spray directly on mold; let sit 10 minutes	White or light-colored fabrics
Baking Soda Paste	Mix with water into paste; apply and scrub after 15–20 min	Gentle fabrics; odor removal
Oxygen-Based Bleach	Mix 1 part bleach with 3 parts water; apply to stains	Color-safe; tough stains
Chlorine Bleach	Use only on white fabrics; 1/3 cup in wash cycle	White garments; severe mold

⚠️ Never mix vinegar and bleach. This combination produces toxic chlorine gas and is genuinely dangerous.

Step 4: Soak the Garment

After applying your pre-treatment, soak the clothing in a bucket or basin filled with warm water and your chosen cleaning agent for 30 to 60 minutes. This gives the solution time to penetrate the fabric and break down mold at the root.

Step 5: Machine Wash on Hot

Wash the moldy clothes in a separate load using your washing machine’s highest temperature setting that the garment’s care label allows. Add your regular detergent. You can also add ½ cup of borax or 1 cup of white vinegar directly to the drum for extra mold-fighting power.

Most mold spores die at temperatures above 140°F (60°C), so cold or warm water cycles won’t be as effective for heavily affected items.

Step 6: Inspect Before Drying

Before you put anything in the dryer or hang it up, check the garment carefully. Look for remaining stains and smell for any lingering musty odor. If either is still present, repeat the soak and wash cycle before drying. Drying a still-moldy garment can set the stain permanently and make it harder to remove later.

Step 7: Dry in Direct Sunlight

The best way to dry clothes after mold treatment is outdoors in direct sunlight. UV rays from the sun are a natural fungicide — they kill remaining mold spores and help deodorize fabric naturally. If drying indoors is necessary, use the dryer on the highest heat setting the fabric allows.

Mold Removal Methods by Fabric Type

Not all fabrics can handle the same treatments. Here’s a quick reference:

Fabric Type	Recommended Method	What to Avoid
Cotton & Linen	Hot water wash, bleach (whites), vinegar	N/A — most treatments safe
Wool & Cashmere	Cool water, gentle detergent, vinegar soak	Hot water, bleach, machine wash
Synthetics (Polyester, Nylon)	Warm water, vinegar or borax	Chlorine bleach
Silk	Hand wash in cool water; professional cleaning recommended	Bleach, hot water, harsh scrubbing
Dry Clean Only	Take to a professional dry cleaner	Machine washing of any kind

Always check the care label before treating any garment. When in doubt, test your cleaning solution on a small hidden area first.

Also Read This: How to Remove Dry Erase Marker from Clothes?

When Should You Throw Moldy Clothes Away?

While most mold-affected clothing can be salvaged, there are situations where it’s better to cut your losses:

• The mold has deeply penetrated thick fabrics and hasn’t responded after two or three full treatment cycles
• The fabric itself is visibly deteriorating, rotting, or falling apart
• You have a mold allergy or respiratory condition and exposure is a health risk
• The garment is “dry clean only” and the mold damage is extensive

If the mold is still visible or the musty smell persists after repeated washing, professional dry cleaning is worth considering before discarding the item entirely.

How to Clean Your Washing Machine After Washing Moldy Clothes?

Your washing machine can harbor mold spores after processing a heavily affected load. Run an empty hot-water cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar or a washing machine cleaner tablet immediately after. Wipe down the drum, door seal, and detergent drawer with a diluted vinegar solution. Leave the door open afterward to allow air to circulate and dry out the drum.

How to Prevent Mold on Clothes?

Prevention is far easier than treatment. A few simple habits can eliminate the conditions mold needs to grow:

• Never leave wet clothes sitting — move laundry to the dryer or hang it immediately after washing
• Don’t store damp clothes — always let garments dry completely before folding or hanging them away
• Use a dehumidifier in closets, basements, or laundry rooms where humidity tends to be high
• Allow your wardrobe to breathe — don’t pack clothes too tightly in closets; air circulation matters
• Add vinegar or tea tree oil to occasional wash cycles as a preventative mold-fighting measure
• Clean your washing machine monthly to prevent mold buildup in the drum and seals

FAQ’s

Can you wash moldy clothes with regular clothes? 

No. Always wash moldy items in a separate load to prevent mold spores from transferring to other garments.

Does washing clothes on hot kill mold? 

Hot water above 140°F (60°C) does kill most mold spores, but pre-treatment is still recommended for better results.

Does vinegar kill mold on clothes? 

Yes, white vinegar is an effective mold killer. Its acidity breaks down mold spores and neutralizes musty odors.

Can mold on clothes make you sick? 

Yes. Prolonged exposure to mold can trigger allergies, skin irritation, and respiratory issues — especially in sensitive individuals.

Does baking soda remove mold from clothes? 

Baking soda helps lift mold stains and deodorize fabric, but it works best when combined with vinegar or as a supplement to a full wash cycle.

Can dry cleaners remove mold from clothes? 

Yes, professional dry cleaners can handle mold-affected garments, especially delicate or “dry clean only” fabrics.

What if the mold smell won’t go away after washing? 

Rewash with a cup of white vinegar added to the drum, or use a laundry sanitizer during the rinse cycle. Air dry in sunlight for best results.

How long can clothes sit before mold grows? 

In warm, humid conditions, mold can begin growing on damp fabric in as little as 24 to 48 hours.

Conclusion

So, can you wash mold out of clothes? Absolutely — in most cases. The key is acting fast, using the right pre-treatment, washing on the highest safe temperature, and drying thoroughly. White vinegar, borax, and hydrogen peroxide are your best allies, and sunlight is your finishing touch. The longer mold is left untreated, the harder it becomes to remove, so tackle it as soon as you spot that telltale fuzzy growth or catch a whiff of that musty smell.

With the steps outlined in this guide, you have everything you need to rescue mold-affected garments and keep your wardrobe fresh going forward.