Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Washing towels, clothes, and bed linen
• Method 2 of 4: Cleaning the soft upholstery
• Method 3 of 4: Removing mold from carpets and rugs
• Method 4 of 4: Using homemade solutions
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need
• Washing towels, clothes and bed linen
• Cleaning upholstery
• Removing mold from carpets and rugs

Mold is an unpleasant, annoying (and in rare cases dangerous) type of fungus that can grow on fabrics and many other surfaces in your home. Mold prefers wet places with insufficient ventilation. Although best of all prevent mold and keep your clothes, upholstery and carpets clean and dry, if they do, you can usually get rid of them with a few simple measures!

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Washing towels, clothes, and bed linen

1. 1 Dissolve 2 cups (410 grams) borax in 2 liters of warm or hot water. In this method, to remove mold from the fabric, it is soaked in a borax solution before washing. First, prepare a solution of 1 cup (205 grams) borax per liter of water, then add borax and water as needed. Use a clean bucket or bath for this.
   • Borax is a cheap and readily available laundry additive. You can find it at your supermarket or home improvement store that sells other laundry detergents.
   • If you can't find borax, use a regular detergent or fabric-safe, chlorine-free bleach instead.
   • Hot water generally removes dirt (including mold) better than cold water, so it is best to wash with it. However, not all fabrics can handle hot water well. If your fabric cannot be washed in hot water, wait for the solution to cool. Do not dilute borax in cold water, otherwise it will most likely form clumps.
2. 2 Place the mold-stained cloth in the solution and soak in it for 5-10 minutes. Then stir the liquid with a stick or spoon. Make sure that all the material is in the solution, not just the mold-stained area.
   • If the fabric floats, you can crush it down with a glass jar.
3. 3 Gently rub regular detergent over the fabric. When the fabric is thoroughly saturated with the solution, remove it and gently squeeze it over a sink or other drain to get rid of excess water. Then, apply a small drop of regular detergent to the mold and scrub it with a soft bristled brush (such as an old toothbrush).
   • It is also advisable to rub the stain on the back of the fabric, if possible. So you remove mold from the fabric, rather than rubbing it inside. In addition, it will reduce the scuffing of the material in the cleaned area.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Dario Ragnolo

   
   
   Cleaning Professional Dario Ragnolo is the owner and founder of Tidy Town Cleaning, a cleaning service based in Los Angeles, California. His company specializes in the cleaning of residential and office premises. He is a second generation cleaning specialist: he grew up having before his eyes the example of parents who were engaged in the cleaning business in Italy.

   Dario Ragnolo
   Cleaning professional

   Expert opinion: “Mold is very easy to remove with a hot detergent solution. If you need to clean a large area, you can even apply the solution to the stained cloth, leave it on for a few minutes, and then scrape off the mold with a toothbrush. "

4. 4 Wash the fabric at the highest possible temperature. After pre-soaking, the fabric is ready for washing. As a rule, a long and intensive wash in hot water is most effective. However, these washing conditions can damage some types of fabrics, so be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
   • If the fabric is not too strongly dirty, it can be washed along with other similar things - it will not harm them in any way.
   • When washing white fabrics, you can add bleach to the water. For colored material, be sure to use a suitable bleach or similar detergent that will not discolor.
5. 5 Air dry and repeat the cleaning process if necessary. After washing, hang the clothes on a clothesline to dry. Do not put clothes in the tumble dryer, as heat, including mold, can adhere to the stain. After the clothes are dry, inspect them - if you notice any mold residues, clean the fabric again.
   • Try drying your clothes in the sun. Sunlight will help destroy mold residues.
   • If you need to use a tumble dryer, set it to cold.

Method 2 of 4: Cleaning the soft upholstery

1. 1 Vacuum the moldy area first. This method uses an effective cleaning agent such as alcohol to remove mold stuck in upholstery. Vacuum the upholstery first to remove as much mold as possible. Most vacuum cleaners are equipped with hoses and attachments that make it easy to remove mold, even in hard-to-reach places.
   • If possible, move furniture to fresh air or a well-ventilated area to reduce the risk of inhaling mold spores.
   • At this stage, it is advisable to wear a gauze bandage or respirator so as not to inhale microscopic mold spores.
2. 2 Gently rub the mold stain with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water. After vacuuming the upholstery, mix 1 cup (240 ml) rubbing alcohol with 1 cup (240 ml) hot water. Moisten a sponge with the solution, squeeze out excess liquid and gently wipe the dirty area of ​​the upholstery. Do not use too much solution. After wiping, the upholstery should be damp, but not wet.
   • Note that alcohol can damage some types of fabric. To make sure the fabric can handle alcohol, try applying a little solution to a hidden area of ​​the upholstery and wait 15 minutes. If you notice that the fabric is discolored or damaged in any way, use one of the other cleaning solutions listed in this article (such as the borax solution mentioned above or the home remedies discussed below).
3. 3 Leave the solution on the fabric for 30 minutes. After you thoroughly apply a water solution of alcohol to the moldy areas of the upholstery, leave it on the upholstery for about 30 minutes (or longer) for it to take effect. The alcohol will gradually absorb into the fabric and kill the mold.
4. 4 Wash the fabric, blot it dry and repeat the cleaning process if necessary. Dampen a sponge or rag with clean water and blot the treated area to partially remove the alcohol solution.Then blot the upholstery with a dry paper towel to absorb as much moisture as possible. If there is no mold on the fabric, wait until it dries. If you notice mold, reapply the cleaning solution and repeat the entire cleaning process.
   • If possible, dry the upholstery outdoors in direct sunlight. If this is not possible, open a window and / or turn on a fan to improve air circulation in the room. Good air circulation is important when drying furniture - without it, mold is more likely to reappear.
   • If a lot of moisture remains in the fabric, try removing the excess water with a wet vacuum cleaner.
5. 5 Be prepared to throw out heavily soiled items. Unfortunately, mold cannot always be eliminated. If the mold has penetrated deep into the upholstery, or if you are unable to remove the stain, it is likely that you will not be able to restore the furniture. In this case, you may have to throw away the contaminated furniture to get rid of dangerous mold spores in your home. Cleaning specialists can also be contacted, but their services are unlikely to be cheap.

Method 3 of 4: Removing mold from carpets and rugs

1. 1 Sweep the moldy area with a broom. If there is mold on the carpet or rug, sweep the carpet or knock it out with a broom to remove as much mold as possible between the dense fibers. Remember to wear a gauze bandage and try to do it away from children and pets - remember that inhaling mold can be hazardous to your health.
   • For deeper cleaning, a hand brush can be used instead of a broom. Generally, carpets and rugs are stiffer than the fabrics listed above, so you can use brushes with stiffer bristles, but be careful not to use too much force to avoid damaging the carpet fibers.
2. 2 Vacuum the carpet. After sweeping, vacuum the carpet to catch any mold that you swept away from the fabric with a broom. Any standard hose nozzle will work, but it is best to use a roller or brush head to clean the carpet properly.
   • It is advisable to discard the vacuum cleaner bag after you collect the mold, otherwise mold spores may fly out the next time you vacuum. To reduce the risk of inhaling mold spores, remove the dust bag from the vacuum cleaner outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
3. 3 Blot the surface with soap and water. Dampen a sponge or small cloth with warm water and soap. Squeeze out excess water and blot where the mold has been to allow the solution to absorb a little. Do not scrub the carpet with a rag or sponge, or mold spores can penetrate deeper into the fibers.
   • Don't use too much water. If the carpet becomes saturated with water, moisture will remain in the carpet, which has led to the formation of mold. The goal is to gently clean the carpet fibers rather than wet them profusely.
4. 4 Vacuum the carpet again. After applying soap and water, lightly vacuum the cleaned area again to remove excess moisture. You may not be able to delete the whole moisture, but the more water you remove from the carpet, the faster it dries.
5. 5 If possible, turn on a dehumidifier while the carpet is drying. Mold, like other types of fungus, prefers dark, damp, and damp places. Eliminate these conditions to reduce the chance of mold reoccurring. For example, if you have a dehumidifier, turn it on after applying soap and water to the carpet to reduce moisture while the carpet is drying. The lower the humidity in the air, the less likely the mold will survive.
   • Air dryers can be quite expensive. It is best to buy them in late summer or fall when they are cheapest. Use all kinds of discounts and coupons.
   • If you live in a dry climate, you can open the windows.If your area is humid, keep your windows closed and turn on the fan. This will not reduce the humidity in the air, but will provide adequate air circulation around the carpet.
6. 6 If there is too much mold, consider getting rid of the carpet. If you find it difficult to remove mold from carpet using conventional methods, drastic measures may be required, such as dry cleaning or disposing of the carpet. Solid carpets may require special tools such as a pry bar and / or carpet knife. You will find more detailed information in this article. In most cases, a gauze bandage or respirator should be used.
   • Small rugs and rugs can be hung outside or in a well-ventilated area. This will help clean your carpet and prevent further mold growth.
   • Be sure to check for mold under the carpet. If there is mold on the carpet lining, throw it away, otherwise mold may develop on new carpet as well.
7. 7 Use carpet shampoo or vinegar spray to remove any remaining odor. Even if you remove all mold from the carpet, it can still leave a musty smell. There are many ways to get rid of this problem. The easiest is to purchase a carpet shampoo and use it according to the instructions provided. Usually (but not always), you should rub the shampoo over the carpet, wait for it to work, and then vacuum it.
   • You can also use household products to remove odors: Put some white vinegar in a spray bottle, spray the area, wait 10 minutes for the vinegar to take effect, then sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and vacuum after it reacts with the vinegar. This method is described in more detail below.

Method 4 of 4: Using homemade solutions

1. 1 Use a paste of lemon juice and salt as a natural cleaning agent. While the methods above should work well for most cases, there are also many alternative home remedies that can be used to remove mold. For example, lemon juice is sometimes used as a natural fabric cleaner, and when mixed with regular salt, you get an effective yet mild abrasive cleaner. It is enough to follow these simple steps:
   • Mix 1/3 cup (80 ml) undiluted lemon juice with enough salt to make a not very thick paste.
   • apply the prepared paste to the fabric affected by mold;
   • lightly rub the fabric with a soft bristled brush;
   • machine wash and tumble dry, or vacuum off the remaining paste and air dry the fabric.
2. 2 Use an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide as a mild bleach. With white fabrics, there are more cleaning options than colored fabrics as there is no need to worry about ink bleeding or fading. To use a natural bleaching solution that is great for removing stubborn mildew from white fabrics, take hydrogen peroxide (a cheap product available at your local supermarket or pharmacy) and do the following:
   • Using a cotton swab or clean rag, apply hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain;
   • leave the hydrogen peroxide on the fabric for 15 minutes;
   • wash the item as usual, or add 1 / 3–2 / 3 cup (80–160 milliliters) of hydrogen peroxide to the water along with standard detergents for additional cleaning.
3. 3 Try a foaming mixture of baking soda and vinegar. As noted above, vinegar can be a fairly effective cleaning agent that also removes unpleasant odors. Keep in mind, however, that only white vinegar is suitable for this method, as apple cider, balsamic, and other colored vinegars may stain.Use the steps below to process the fabric with vinegar:
   • Mix vinegar and warm water in a 1: 1 ratio in a small bowl;
   • apply the prepared mixture to the soiled cloth with a clean rag or spray bottle;
   • Wait 10 minutes for the vinegar to saturate the fabric, then generously sprinkle the wet spot with baking soda to neutralize the vinegar;
   • then wash and dry your clothes as usual, and vacuum up the upholstery or carpet and wait for it to dry.
4. 4 Dry the fabric in the sun to kill mold. If you are lucky and the weather is clear, sunny, you can remove mold stains with little effort. Simply drying fabrics in the sun (rather than a power dryer) after washing has been proven to help get rid of stains. In this case, it is best to hang things on a wire rack or clothesline.
   • Be careful with colored fabrics: after too long exposure to the sun, they can fade.

Tips

• Stock up on brown when you go out of town. It is well suited for cleaning boats, camping equipment and the like.
• If you only need to get rid of the mold smell, and not the mold itself, see the article "How to remove mold smell from clothes".
• If you live in an area with high humidity, close your windows. This will help prevent dampness in your home. Remember, mold prefers a humid environment.
• If your home is prone to mold, do not open windows in rainy weather. This will help prevent moisture and mold.

Warnings

• If you are allergic to mold, wear a respirator or gauze bandage when handling it to avoid inhaling spores.
• Borax is poisonous if swallowed. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets, and keep them away from you when you handle brown fabric.

What do you need

Washing towels, clothes and bed linen

• Bura
• Warm or hot water
• Bucket or bath
• A spoon
• Old toothbrush
• Washing machine
• Bleach (optional)
• Glass jar (optional)
• Clothesline

Cleaning upholstery

• Gauze bandage or respirator
• Vacuum cleaner
• Alcohol
• Hot water
• A bowl
• Sponge
• Paper towels
• Vacuum cleaner for wet cleaning (optional)

Removing mold from carpets and rugs

• Gauze bandage or respirator
• Broom or brush
• Vacuum cleaner
• Rag
• Soapy water
• Dehumidifier or fan (optional)
• Carpet shampoo or vinegar water (optional)