How to easily remove the smell of mold on clothes and eliminate the causes?
Excessive moisture and poor ventilation cause pathological microflora. And the problem is not only how to get rid of the smell of mold on clothes, but also in eliminating the causes of its appearance.
We seek and eliminate the causes
Most often, the problem appears when there is insufficient drying of the laundry, dampness in the room near the wardrobe or the appearance of mold in the washing machine.
- In order for the laundry to dry to the required level, good ventilation and lack of dampness are required in the dryer. Examine the room - perhaps the mold settled on the walls, ropes or other objects. You need to get rid of special means intended for this. Even better is to dry your clothes in the sun or frost. All possible bacteria and germs die under ultraviolet light and low temperatures.
- If the pathological microflora reaches the wall behind the cabinet, it is likely that it will appear inside. If the clothes are folded wet, then the problem is only inside. It is necessary to unload all things for processing, and to do the cabinet itself separately: wash it with a special detergent or diluted in half with a solution of water and vinegar, dry it from dampness.
- A washing machine may become infected if left in the warm room for the night to wash: after only two hours, the clothes will be locked in a warm and humid enclosed space. The same story, if water suddenly disappears, and it will be possible to take out the contents in a day or two. In this case, you can get rid of the spores by rinsing the machine with the addition of vinegar or bleach. It is important not to mix them together. In addition, after washing, it is advisable to leave the doors open so that the inside remains dry.
After that, you can be sure that things will smell fresh and clean.
Can I wash? Forward!
You can remove the smell of mold on clothes when washing and proper subsequent drying. Different clothes are handled differently.
Types of extreme processing
- Digestion. Most towels, rugs and bed linen can be boiled. This is a reliable way to destroy spores and refresh the smell even in advanced cases. Things are stacked in the pan. In another, water boils. The infected tissue is poured with hot boiling water, mixed and infused for 5 minutes. After that, things are sent to the washing machine, and normal washing follows.
- Whitening. The procedure is not suitable for all clothes (you can check on the labels). Held in a well-ventilated room. For 4.5 liters of water you need to take ½ cup of bleach, put badly smelling things there for 10-15 minutes. Next is ordinary washing and drying. For safety reasons, items should be removed with rubber gloves.
- Ammonia treatment. The substance is dangerous to humans, therefore it can only be used in rooms with good ventilation, without mixing with anything. He should not get on the skin, use gloves, work carefully. 1 glass of ammonia is poured into the washing machine and the first cycle is started. Then follows the second cycle with washing powder. It is desirable to dry in the open air.
Tip
In no case should ammonia be mixed with powder, as this results in a gas that is hazardous to health. The same goes for bleaches.
If things cannot be subjected to serious effects of different chemicals, but can be washed, simple, familiar substances from kitchen shelves are used. For the first wash cycle you can add borax, vinegar or soda. If the smell is very musty, you can add soda and vinegar at the same time. The second cycle is with ordinary powder.Further drying in the open air, preferably in the sun or in the wind. Measures did not help completely? Repeat them.
The most difficult case is dry cleaning. If it is impossible to wash, you can use some active substances.
- Cleaning Concentrates. Sold with household cleaning products. A measuring cup is poured into a spray bottle and problem things are sprayed. Care must be taken not to expend too much fluid: clothing should not get wet. After that, you need to dry in the sun or wind.
Tip You should be especially careful with things that are fully or partially made of leather and suede.
- Vodka. It can replace expensive cleaning products. You just need to pour it into a bottle with a spray bottle, treat it with clothes and leave it to air in the sun from dampness and the remains of strange aromas. If you cannot remove the smell, then at least it will weaken.
- Soda. It can be used not only as a detergent, but also as a cleaning powder. The product is spread out on a table, sprinkled with soda from all sides and left for several hours, or better - all night. In the morning, clothes are hung out on the street, soda is thoroughly cleaned with a brush. For a day left for airing. If the thing is very expensive for you, you can remove the problem without sprinkling soda directly, but placing it in a plastic bag along with an open packet of soda. The action will be weaker, but definitely harmless.
If the desired result was not achieved or things are extremely delicate, contact a dry cleaning service. In addition to specialized chemical components and equipment, carbon dioxide in liquid form is also used. These substances will help to remove an unpleasant odor, carefully preserving the structure and color of the fabric.
But the best cure for the problem is prevention. Lack of dampness, properly tuned ventilation, high-quality drying after washing and proper care of the washing machine are reliable and simple methods that will help maintain a neat appearance and a pleasant smell of your clothes.