Yes, in most cases. Washable clothes with mold spots or a musty smell can usually be saved with a normal wash at the warmest temperature the care label allows, followed by a complete dry. Heavy growth that has stained or weakened the fabric may not come out. The bigger risk is spreading spores while you carry clothes to the laundry, so bag them first.
Before You Wash: Bag It Where It Is
Put moldy clothes in a plastic bag in the room where you find them. Carrying them loose through the house can shake spores into clean rooms. Open the bag right at the washer.
How to Wash Moldy Clothes
- Check the care label. It tells you the warmest water and the safest drying method for that fabric.
- Shake outside, not inside. If you need to knock off loose growth, do it outdoors.
- Wash at the warmest safe temperature. Use your regular detergent.
- Use bleach only where the label allows it. Bleach is for bleach-safe whites only and can damage colors and some fabrics.
- Dry completely. A damp load can grow mold again. Dry on the setting the label allows, or in direct sun.
- Smell test. If it still smells musty, wash it again.
Dry-Clean-Only and Delicate Items
Do not soak delicate or dry-clean-only items at home. Bag them and take them to a dry cleaner. Tell the cleaner the item was exposed to mold.
When to Throw Clothes Away
- The fabric is stained, weakened, or falling apart where mold grew
- The musty smell stays after two washes
- The item cannot be washed or dry-cleaned
Photograph damaged items before you throw them out, in case you file an insurance claim.
Protect Yourself While You Handle Moldy Clothes
The EPA recommends an N-95 respirator, gloves, and eye protection for small mold cleanups. Wash your hands after handling moldy items.
Clothes Are Usually Not the Only Thing
If mold grew in a closet or bedroom, the particles probably landed on more than clothes. Shelves, shoes, bags, and the closet itself need cleaning too, and so does the rest of the home if the A/C carried particles around. That is what mold decontamination and small particle cleaning handles: a top-to-bottom cleaning of surfaces and belongings so particles are removed, not spread.
Related reading:
- Does Lysol Kill Mold Spores in the Air?
- How Soon After Water Damage or a Storm Should I Get a Mold Inspection?
Mold in your closet? Get a free quote from Mold Masters.
FAQ
Does vinegar get mold out of clothes?
Many people use it, but the most reliable steps are a warm wash within the care label’s limits and a complete dry. If the smell stays after two washes, the item may not be salvageable.
Can mold on clothes spread to other clothes?
Yes. Spores can move to other items in the closet, hamper, or laundry basket. Bag and wash moldy items separately.
Why do my clothes smell musty after washing?
Clothes left damp in the washer, or a washer with mold in its seal or drum, can cause the smell. Move loads to the dryer right away and keep the washer door open between loads.