Wash moldy clothing in hot water with detergent and vinegar
The fastest way to remove mold from clothing is a hot-water wash with regular laundry detergent plus white vinegar. Wash the item alone in the hottest water the fabric can handle—check the care tag first. Add one cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle along with your normal detergent. The combination of heat, detergent, and vinegar kills most mold spores and removes the staining.
If the garment is delicate or the care tag says cold water only, use cold water instead, but the mold may not wash out completely. In that case, soak the item in a mixture of one part white vinegar to three parts water for at least an hour before washing. Dry the clothing in direct sunlight if possible—UV light kills remaining mold spores and helps prevent regrowth.
Key Takeaways
- Hot water, detergent, and white vinegar together kill mold spores; wash the moldy item alone to avoid spreading spores to other clothes.
- If the fabric is delicate, soak it in a vinegar-and-water mixture before washing in cold water, then dry in sunlight.
- Mold returns quickly if clothing stays damp or is stored in a humid, poorly ventilated space—dry items completely before putting them away.
- Throw away clothing that smells musty after washing or shows mold on seams and hems, because the spores may be too deep to remove.
- Store clean, dry clothes in a closet or drawer with airflow, not in sealed plastic bins or damp basements.
When to throw away the item instead of washing it
Some clothing is not worth saving. If the mold has penetrated deep into the fabric—especially along seams, hems, or thick areas like the collar of a jacket—washing may not reach all the spores. After you wash and dry the item, smell it. If it still has a musty odor, the mold is still there.
Also throw away the item if the mold has left permanent staining that won't come out after one wash, or if the garment is already worn and you would not wear it again anyway. Keeping moldy clothing around risks spreading spores to other items in your closet. The cost of replacing a cheap t-shirt is usually less than the risk of mold spreading through your wardrobe.
Use bleach only on white cotton and linen
Bleach kills mold spores very effectively, but it damages most fabrics and removes color. Use bleach only on white cotton, white linen, or other white natural fibers that can handle it. Add one cup of bleach to a hot-water wash cycle along with detergent, or soak the item in a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water for 10 minutes before washing.
Never use bleach on colored clothing, wool, silk, synthetics, or anything with elastic or spandex. For those fabrics, stick with the vinegar-and-detergent method. If you are unsure whether bleach is safe, check the care tag or test it on a hidden seam first.
Dry clothing completely before storing it
Mold grows in damp environments, so the most important step after washing is drying. Hang the item outside in direct sunlight if the weather allows—sunlight is a natural mold killer. If you must use a dryer, run it on the highest heat setting the fabric can handle. Do not store the item until it is completely dry to the touch, including the inside seams and thick areas.
If you air-dry indoors, hang the item in a warm, well-ventilated room with a fan running. Avoid drying in a bathroom or basement where humidity is high. Once the item is dry, fold it loosely or hang it in a closet with good airflow rather than packing it tightly into a drawer or bin.
Fix the storage conditions that caused the mold
Mold came back because the storage space was too damp or had poor airflow. Closets and drawers in basements, bathrooms, or unheated rooms are common culprits. Check whether the space feels damp to the touch or smells musty. If it does, you need to improve ventilation and reduce humidity before storing clean clothes there again.
Open closet doors regularly to let air circulate. If the closet is in a basement or bathroom, run a dehumidifier in that room or install a small exhaust fan. Do not store clothes in sealed plastic bins or plastic garment bags—use breathable cotton storage bags or open shelving instead. Leave space between hanging items so air can move around them. If the problem is severe, you may need to move your clothes to a drier part of the house until you can fix the humidity issue.
Prevent mold from growing on clean clothes
Once you have removed the mold and fixed the storage space, keep mold from coming back by storing clothes in a dry environment. Wash and dry all items completely before putting them away. Do not leave damp or sweaty clothes in a hamper for more than a day or two—wash them promptly or hang them to dry first.
In humid climates or during wet seasons, place open boxes of baking soda or activated charcoal in your closet to absorb moisture. Cedar blocks or cedar-lined closets also repel mold naturally. Check your closet every few weeks for any musty smells, which are the first sign that mold is starting to grow again. If you notice the smell, open the closet doors, run a fan, and consider running a dehumidifier in that room.
What to do if mold keeps coming back
If you wash the clothing, store it in a dry space, and mold still returns within a few weeks, the problem is not the clothes—it is the building. Your closet, bedroom, or storage area has a moisture problem that needs to be fixed at the source. This could be a leak in the roof or walls, poor ventilation, a basement that floods, or a room that stays damp year-round.
Walk around the room and look for visible signs of water damage, discoloration on walls or ceilings, or condensation on windows. If you find any of these, call a professional to inspect for leaks or moisture problems. If the room just feels damp but you do not see water damage, a dehumidifier may help temporarily, but a professional can tell you whether the building itself needs repair. Do not keep storing valuable clothes in a damp space while waiting for the problem to be fixed—move them to a drier room in the meantime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a washing machine to remove mold if I have other clothes in the house?
Yes, but wash the moldy item alone in its own cycle. Mold spores can spread to other clothes if you wash them together. After the moldy item is done, run an empty hot-water cycle with vinegar or bleach to clean the machine before washing other clothes.
Will a dryer kill mold spores?
Heat from a dryer will kill some spores, but sunlight is more effective. If you must use a dryer, run it on the highest heat setting the fabric allows. Sunlight is free and works better, so hang-dry outside whenever possible.
What if the clothing still smells musty after I wash and dry it?
The mold spores are still present and washing did not reach them all. Throw the item away or try washing it again with bleach if it is white cotton. If it fails a second time, the mold is too deep in the fabric to remove safely.
Can I use a scented fabric spray to cover the musty smell?
No. Fabric spray masks the smell but does not kill the mold. The spores will continue to grow and spread to nearby clothes. Wash the item properly or throw it away instead.
Is it safe to wear clothing that has been treated for mold?
Yes, once the item is washed, dried, and no longer smells musty, it is safe to wear. The mold spores have been killed by the wash cycle and heat. Make sure the item is completely dry before wearing it.