Mold on Clothes: How to Remove Mold and That Musty Smell
Wash moldy clothes in the hottest water the fabric allows with 1/2 cup borax per load. Dry in direct sunlight. The UV light kills remaining spores. If clothes still smell musty after washing, the mold source is your closet, hamper, or washing machine. Fix the source or the mold will come right back.
Where mold on clothes actually comes from
Most people think the mold grew on the clothes. In most cases, the clothes were contaminated by the environment they were stored in. There are three common sources:
Musty closet: A closet with poor airflow and an exterior wall creates a dead air zone where humidity builds up. Mold grows on the closet wall and transfers to clothes that touch the wall or hang nearby. If multiple items in your closet smell musty, the closet itself is the source.
Damp hamper: Sweaty gym clothes, damp towels, or swimwear thrown into a closed hamper create a moist, dark environment. Mold can start growing on damp fabric within 24 to 48 hours. An open weave hamper that allows airflow, or hanging damp items to dry before putting them in the hamper, prevents this.
Moldy washing machine: Front loader washers are notorious for growing mold in the rubber door gasket and behind the drum. That mold transfers spores to your clothes during the wash cycle. Your clothes come out "clean" but smell musty because the machine itself is contaminated. If every load comes out smelling funky, clean the washer first.
Flood or water damage: Clothes stored in a basement, closet, or storage unit that experienced water damage can develop heavy mold growth. If the clothes sat in standing water or high humidity for more than 48 hours, the mold may be too deep to remove.
How to remove mold from clothes step by step
Step 1: Take clothes outside. Brush off any visible mold growth outdoors so spores do not spread inside your home. Shake the garment gently. Do this wearing an N95 mask if you are sensitive.
Step 2: Pre treat stains. For visible mold spots, apply a paste of baking soda and water directly on the stain. Let it sit for 30 minutes. This lifts the mold from the fabric surface.
Step 3: Wash in hot water with borax. Use the hottest water setting the fabric allows (check the care label). Add 1/2 cup of borax along with your regular detergent. Borax is a natural mineral that kills mold and deodorizes at the same time. For white fabrics, add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle for extra mold killing power.
Step 4: Use EC3 Laundry Additive for delicates. A leading remediation science expert, recommends EC3 Laundry Additive for fabrics that cannot handle hot water or borax. It is a botanical formula that kills mold spores at any water temperature.
Step 5: Dry in sunlight. Hang clothes in direct sunlight for 4 to 6 hours. UV light kills mold spores on the fabric surface and helps fade any remaining stains on white fabrics. If sunlight is not available, use the dryer on high heat.
Step 6: Smell check. After drying, smell the garment. If it still smells musty, repeat the wash with borax. Some heavily contaminated items need 2 to 3 wash cycles. If the smell persists after 3 washes, the fabric is too far gone.
What to do with clothes that cannot be saved
Some items are not worth saving. Mold that has deeply penetrated cotton, linen, or leather may leave permanent stains and a smell that never fully goes away. Dry clean only items can be sent to a cleaner that specializes in mold treatment, but this costs more than the garment is often worth.
If you are throwing away moldy clothes, bag them in plastic before carrying them through the house. This prevents spreading spores to clean areas. Do not donate moldy clothes because the mold will survive and affect the next person.
How to prevent mold on clothes
Fix your closet airflow. Leave the closet door open, install a louvered door, or add a small USB fan inside the closet. Do not pack clothes tight against the back wall, especially if it is an exterior wall.
Never store damp items. Gym clothes, swimwear, and towels must dry completely before going in a closet or hamper. Hang a simple hook inside the bathroom door for damp towels.
Use a dehumidifier. If your closet or bedroom humidity stays above 50%, a small dehumidifier in the room will prevent mold on clothes and on the closet walls. The EPA says keeping humidity below 50% prevents mold growth.
Clean your washing machine. Run a monthly cleaning cycle with vinegar or Affresh. Leave the door open between loads. Wipe the gasket dry. A clean machine means clean clothes.
Do not leave wet laundry sitting. Move clothes from the washer to the dryer (or clothesline) within 30 minutes of the cycle ending. Wet clothes sitting in a closed washer for 24 hours will grow mold.
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Get Early AccessFrequently Asked Questions
How do you get mold out of clothes?
Wash moldy clothes in the hottest water the fabric allows with 1/2 cup of borax and your regular detergent. For white fabrics, add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. For colored fabrics, use EC3 Laundry Additive instead of vinegar. Dry in direct sunlight if possible because UV light kills remaining mold spores on the surface. Do not put moldy clothes in the dryer before washing because heat sets mold stains.
Why do my clothes smell musty?
Musty smelling clothes usually come from three sources. First, a moldy washing machine that transfers mold spores to your clothes during the wash cycle. Second, storing clothes in a humid closet with poor airflow. Third, leaving damp clothes in the hamper or washer for more than 24 hours. The musty smell is volatile organic compounds released by active mold colonies.
Can mold on clothes make you sick?
Yes. Wearing moldy clothes puts mold spores in direct contact with your skin and close to your nose and mouth. This can cause skin rashes, itching, sneezing, coughing, and eye irritation. People with mold allergies or asthma can have serious reactions. About 24% of the population carries genetic variants that make them unable to clear mold toxins naturally, making them more vulnerable.
Does the dryer kill mold on clothes?
A dryer alone does not reliably kill mold. While high heat can kill some mold spores, the dryer cycle is too short and the heat distribution too uneven to kill mold that has grown into fabric fibers. Worse, putting moldy clothes in the dryer before washing can set mold stains permanently. Always wash with hot water and borax first, then dry.
