How to Remove Mould from Clothes
Kill the mould before washing. Mould is a living organism — washing without treating first spreads spores and the problem returns. Vinegar + sunlight kill the mould; oxygen bleach removes the pigment.
Why Mould Needs Different Treatment
Mould and mildew on clothes are not simply a stain — they are living fungi actively growing into the fabric fibre. This changes the treatment approach fundamentally. Applying bleach or washing without first killing the mould will remove the visible pigment but leave living spores behind, which continue to grow and cause the smell and staining to return. The correct sequence is: kill the organism first, then remove the pigment.
Removing Mould and Mildew Stains
- 1
Brush or shake off visible mould outside
Take the item outside before doing anything else. Shake or gently brush off loose mould spores with a stiff brush. Do not do this inside — mould spores are airborne and will spread around the room. Wear gloves and consider a mask if the mould growth is significant.
- 2
Treat with white vinegar — 30–60 minutes
White vinegar (5% acetic acid) kills approximately 82% of mould species. Apply undiluted white vinegar directly to the mouldy area and leave for 30–60 minutes. The vinegar penetrates the fabric and disrupts the cell membranes of the mould. For widespread mould, soak the item in undiluted white vinegar for 1 hour before washing.
- 3
Sunlight — as much UV as possible
Hang the item in direct sunlight for several hours. UV radiation from sunlight is a highly effective mould killer and continues the work started by the vinegar. Sunlight also bleaches the mould pigment naturally. This step is highly effective on its own for surface mould and mild cases, and essential in combination with vinegar for heavier growth.
- 4
Pre-treat remaining stain with oxygen bleach paste
If dark staining remains after the vinegar and sunlight steps, apply oxygen bleach (OxiClean, Vanish Oxi Action) as a paste directly to the stained area. Leave for 30 minutes. Oxygen bleach oxidizes the melanin pigment that mould leaves in fabric without the damage that chlorine bleach causes. Safe for most coloured fabrics (not wool or silk).
- 5
Wash at the highest temperature the fabric allows
Machine wash at the highest temperature safe for the fabric. Hot water (60°C) kills mould effectively — but check the care label first. Cotton and linen bed linen and towels can typically tolerate 60°C. Coloured garments and synthetic fabrics should follow the care label. Use enzyme detergent — it helps break down the organic matter in mould staining.
- 6
Dry thoroughly in sunlight or well-ventilated area
Incomplete drying is how mould returns. Dry the item completely — ideally in sunlight again. Do not put it away even slightly damp. Mould needs moisture to survive: remove all moisture and it cannot regrow on the fabric.
Musty Smell Without Visible Mould
If clothes smell musty but show no visible mould, use this lighter treatment.
- 1
Soak in white vinegar solution (1:1 vinegar and cold water) for 1 hour
Mildew smell without visible mould comes from early-stage fungal growth or mould spores embedded in the fibre. A vinegar soak neutralizes the volatile organic compounds that cause the musty smell, and kills the residual spores that produce it.
- 2
Add half a cup of baking soda to the wash cycle
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an alkaline odour absorber. Added to the wash cycle, it neutralizes the acidic compounds that produce the musty smell. Use alongside your normal detergent — not as a replacement.
- 3
Wash and dry completely
Wash with enzyme detergent. Dry completely — either in sunlight or in a well-ventilated dryer on a normal heat setting. If the smell returns after drying, the mould is still present. Repeat the vinegar soak.
What to Avoid
Washing first without killing the mould
Washing without treating first moves mould spores around the fabric and potentially spreads them to other items in the machine. It also removes only the loose surface mould, leaving the bulk of the organism embedded in the fibre where it continues to grow.
Storing or folding the item before fully dry
Mould requires moisture to survive. Folding or storing a damp item — even slightly damp — creates exactly the conditions for the mould to regrow. This is how the problem appears again after washing.
Chlorine bleach on coloured fabrics
Chlorine bleach removes colour from dyed fabrics. Use oxygen bleach instead — it removes the mould pigment without stripping dye. Chlorine bleach is only appropriate on white cotton and linen where colour loss is acceptable.
Sealing mouldy clothes in a bag
Mould thrives in dark, moist, sealed environments. A sealed plastic bag accelerates mould growth. If you need to quarantine the item before treating, use a breathable fabric bag or treat as quickly as possible.
Hot wash without treating first (for heavy mould)
Hot water does kill mould at 60°C, but the dead mould pigment and any embedded spores remain in the fabric. The sequence matters: kill → remove pigment → wash. Skipping the vinegar and sunlight steps often means the stain returns even if the visible mould was washed away.
By Fabric
Most forgiving. Full treatment applies: vinegar soak, oxygen bleach, 60°C wash for whites, 40°C for colours. Sunlight is safe on cotton. Very old mould staining may be permanent on cotton if it has been there for months.
Treats similarly to cotton. Vinegar soak, oxygen bleach, hot wash. Linen handles 60°C. Sunlight is safe and effective on linen.
Cold water, no enzyme detergent (destroys wool fibres). Use non-enzyme detergent with a cold wash. White vinegar is safe on wool. No oxygen bleach — use a wool-specific stain remover. Lay flat to dry (not sunlight for prolonged periods — fades colour and can damage wool fibres).
Diluted white vinegar (1:5 with water). No oxygen bleach. Gentle cold hand wash with pH-neutral detergent. Severe mould on silk often requires professional dry cleaning.
Vinegar soak, oxygen bleach on stubborn stains, cold to 40°C wash. Do not tumble dry at high heat — 30–40°C max for synthetic fibres.
Mould on down (jackets, duvets) requires careful treatment. Vinegar soak (30 min), then wash on a delicate cycle with down-specific detergent. Tumble dry completely with tennis balls — down that is even slightly damp will re-mould. This may take 2–3 drying cycles.
Preventing Mould on Clothes
- •Never store clothes or linen even slightly damp — always dry fully before storing.
- •Air out wardrobes and drawers regularly, especially in humid climates.
- •Use cedar blocks or anti-humidity sachets in wardrobes — they absorb moisture that mould needs.
- •Ensure washing machine drum is left open between washes — moisture in a sealed drum grows mould that transfers to clothes.
- •Wash gym clothes, towels, and swimwear promptly after use rather than leaving them wet in a bag.
- •If storing seasonal clothes, ensure they are freshly washed and bone-dry — mould grows on skin oils left in fabric.
FAQ
How do you get mould out of clothes?
Shake off loose mould outside first. Then apply undiluted white vinegar to the mouldy area and leave for 30–60 minutes — this kills the mould organism. Hang in direct sunlight for several hours. Apply oxygen bleach paste to any remaining dark staining and leave for 30 minutes. Wash at the highest safe temperature with enzyme detergent. Dry completely. Never wash mouldy clothes without killing the mould first — you will move the spores rather than removing them.
Does washing machine washing remove mould from clothes?
Washing at 60°C kills mould, but a standard wash without pre-treatment often fails to remove the stain and can leave living spores in the fabric. A complete treatment sequence — vinegar pre-soak, sunlight, oxygen bleach if needed, then wash — is much more effective than washing alone. Washing at lower temperatures does not reliably kill mould.
Does white vinegar kill mould on clothes?
Yes. White vinegar (5% acetic acid) kills approximately 82% of mould species. It is one of the most effective household mould treatments. Apply it undiluted, directly to the mouldy area, and leave for at least 30–60 minutes before washing. The smell dissipates completely once the item is washed and dried. It is safe on most fabrics including cotton, linen, and synthetic fibres.
Why do my clothes smell musty even after washing?
Musty smell after washing usually means mould spores are still present in the fabric, or the washing machine drum itself has mould (very common in front-loaders with rubber door seals). Treat the item with a 1:1 white vinegar and water soak for 1 hour, then re-wash with baking soda added to the cycle. Also clean the washing machine drum: run an empty 60°C cycle with a cup of white vinegar or washing machine cleaner.
Related guides
Got another stain?
Use the stain picker →