Laundry and Mildew

     Laundry—nobody’s favorite task. However, it’s even more difficult when stains won’t come out in the wash. What should you do? Our Texas A&M AgriLife Extension experts recommend that you start by making sure damp or wet clothes are not placed in the laundry basket and left for several days. 

     Wise  County’s rising temperatures and high humidity along with  any remaining food on clothing—especially kids’ clothes—creates the perfect conditions for the growth of mildew. Mildew is a fungus and appears as dark-colored spots and splotches on textile items. When the textile is left in a warm, humid location with little or no light or air circulation, you have created the perfect condition for very difficult to remove mildew. 

     Mold and fungal growth can damage many fabrics. The affected areas may lose strength and will be further damaged by any mold removal process.

     Prevention is the key. Experts at the International Fabricare Institute suggest drying any wet textiles before placing them in the laundry and certainly not storing them dirty. Some typical items might include infants’ and children’s clothing, sports wear, jackets, t-shirts, kitchen towels, and other common items. Avoid tossing damp clothing in a dark laundry hamper or closet. If you can’t get to the laundry immediately, hang the item in an area with good air circulation until the item is dry. Or wash the item as soon as possible, treating the soiled area with a pre-wash enzyme product.

     What removes mildew? Actually, only chlorine bleach removes and kills mildew growth and stains. Since not all fabrics are safely treated with bleach, preventing the growth of mildew may be a better solution than trying to remove it later and possibly ruining the item.

     For more information and to obtain a copy of AgriLife Extension’s ‘Quick Stain Removal Guide’ contact the Wise County Extension Office at 940/627-3341.