Generally
Clothing and Household Fabrics
Upholstered Articles, Carpets
& Car Tops
Leather Goods
Generally (Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Spandex)
Most mildew stains can be removed during regular laundering if they are moistened beforehand. If a stain remains, test fabric for colorfastness. If color doesn't change, cover stain with a paste of lemon juice and salt. On cotton and linen, make a paste from an oxygen bleach, water, and a few drops of ammonia. Let paste cover stain for 15 to 30 minutes. Flush thoroughly with water and launder again.
Clothing and Household Fabrics
Remove mildew spots as soon as you discover them. Do not give the mold growth a chance to weaken or rot the material. Brush off any surface growth outdoors to prevent scattering the mildew spores in the house. Sun and air fabrics thoroughly. If any mildew spots remain, treat washable articles as described below. Dry clean nonwashable articles.
Wash mildew-stained articles at once with soap or detergent and water. Rinse well and dry in the sun. If any stain remains, use lemon juice and salt or another bleach. If you use a bleach, be sure to test colored fabrics for colorfastness.
* Lemon juice and salt
Moisten stain with a mixture of lemon
juice and salt. Spread in the sun to bleach. Rinse thoroughly.
* Peroxygen bleach
Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of sodium perborate or a powdered bleach containing sodium perborate or potassium monopersulfate with 1 pint (0.47 liters) of water. Use hot water if it is safe for the fabric; otherwise, use lukewarm water. Sponge the stain or soak the stained area in the solution, or sprinkle the dry powder directly on the dampened stain. Let solution or powder remain on the stain 30 minutes or longer, then rinse thoroughly. If mildew stains have been on the fabric for some time, it may be necessary to soak the fabric in the bleach solution overnight. Applying sodium perborate solution at or near the boiling point may remove stubborn stains. Be sure this treatment is safe for the fabric.
* Chlorine bleach
Mix 2 tablespoons of liquid
chlorine bleach with 1 quart (0.95 liters) of warm water. Sponge the stain
or soak the stained area in the solution. Allow
the bleach to remain on the fabric from 5 to 15 minutes, then rinse. An additional soaking in weak vinegar (2 tablespoons to a cup of water) will stop further bleach action. Never use a chlorine bleach on silk, wool or Spandex fabrics. Some fabrics with wash-and-wear or other special finishes may be damaged by chlorine bleaches. Articles with such finishes usually have a warning on the label or on a hang tag attached to the garment when it is sold.
Upholstered articles, carpets and car covers.
First, remove loose mold from outer coverings of upholstered articles, carpets by brushing with a broom. Do this outdoors to prevent scattering mildew spores in the house. Run a vacuum cleaner attachment over the surface of the article to draw out more of the mold. Remember that the mold spores are being drawn into the bag of the vacuum cleaner. If the appliance has a disposable bag, remove and dispose of it immediately. If not, empty the bag carefully (preferably outdoors) to avoid scattering mold spores in the house.
Do everything conveniently possible to dry the article -- use an electric heater and a fan to carry away moist air. Sun and air the article to stop the mold growth. If mildew remains on upholstered articles or mattresses, sponge lightly with thick suds of soap or detergent and wipe with a clean, damp cloth. In doing this, get as little water on the fabric as possible so the filling does not get wet.
Another way to remove mildew on upholstered furniture is to wipe it with a cloth moistened with diluted alcohol (1 cup denatured or rubbing alcohol to 1 cup water). Dry the article thoroughly.
Sponge mildewed carpets with thick suds or a rug shampoo. Then remove the suds by wiping with a cloth dampened with clear water. Dry in the sun if possible. Use a low-pressure spray containing a fungicide to get rid of mildew. Respray frequently, especially in localities where mildew is a major problem.
Vapors of paradichlorobenzene or paraformaldehyde, used
in enclosed areas, will stop mold growth. See the section "Store with a
mildew inhibitor."
If molds have grown into the inner part of an article,
send it to a reliable disinfecting and fumigating service. Such services
are often listed under "Exterminating and Fumigating" or "Pest Control"
services in the yellow pages of the telephone directory.
To remove mildew from leather goods, wipe with a cloth moistened with diluted alcohol (1 cup denatured or rubbing alcohol to 1 cup water). Dry in a current of air. If mildew remains, wash with thick suds made from a mild soap or detergent, saddle soap, or a soap containing a germicide or fungicide. Then wipe with a damp cloth and dry in an airy place. Polish leather shoes and luggage with a good wax dressing.
Shoes contaminated with fungus growth on the inside often develop unpleasant odors, and colored mildew shows up on the inner sole and linings and up into the toe. You can remove this kind of mildew with low-pressure sprays especially intended for freshening shoes; these sprays are available at shoe and department stores. Use these products as directed.
Another way to stop mold growth in leather goods is to
place the leather goods in a container along with crystals of commercially
prepared paradichlorobenzene-paraformaldehyde. Close the container tightly
and allow the chemicals to vaporize. See the section "Store with a mildew
inhibitor."
The vapors from these chemicals are effective in killing
molds that have grown into leather, but they give no lasting protection
against future contamination. As the vapors leak out, the chemicals must
be replaced. Before using the shoes or luggage, air them thoroughly.
To remove stains use saddle soap.