Borax is a cheap, readily available laundry additive. You can find it in more grocery stores alongside the other laundry detergents. If you can’t find any borax, use an ordinary detergent or non-chlorine bleach that’s safe for your fabric. In general, hot water cleans stains (including mildew) better than cold water, making it a good, default choice for laundry. However, not all fabrics may be safe for hot water cleaning. If your fabric can’t be washed in hot water, allow the mixture to cool first. Don’t mix borax into cold water; it will most likely clump up.
If your fabric won’t stay under the solution, you can weigh it down with a jar.
It’s a good idea to scrub the stain from the opposite side of the fabric when possible. Doing this can work the stain away from the fabric, rather than driving the stain further into it. It also reduces the appearance of wear-and-tear on the article.
Unless your item is seriously soiled, you can safely do an entire load of laundry at this point without fear of harming the other clothes, so don’t be afraid to toss in similar fabrics with your soiled item. For whites, you may add bleach to the wash. For colored fabrics, use only colorfast bleaches or similar detergents that won’t cause them to bleed.
Try to dry your clothes in the sun. This will help further kill any mildew. If you must use a clothes dryer, use the no-heat setting.
If possible, move the furniture to an outdoor area with good ventilation before beginning to reduce the danger of inhaling mildew spores. It might be a good idea to wear a dust mask for this step, so as to avoid breathing in any microscopic mildew spores.
Note that rubbing alcohol can damage some fabrics. To make sure your upholstery can stand the rubbing alcohol used in this method, try dabbing a little of your solution in a hard-to-see spot on your upholstery, then letting it sit for 15 minutes. If you observe any discoloration or damage, use one of the alternate cleaning solutions in this article (like the borax soak above or the home-made remedies below. )
If possible, dry your upholstered item outside in the sun. If not, open a window and/or use a fan to circulate the air in the room. Good ventilation is important while the furniture dries—without it, it’s more likely for mildew to re-appear. If there is a lot of moisture in the fabric, you can try using a wet-dry vacuum cleaner to soak up the excess moisture. Blot in circular motions. [3] X Expert Source Safir AliProfessional Dry Cleaner Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.
For a deeper clean, you can also use a hand brush rather than a broom. Carpets and rugs are typically tougher than the fabrics listed above, so you can get away with using slightly stiffer bristles, but your should still take care not to scrub too hard or you may damage the carpet fibers.
It’s a good idea to empty your vacuum after using it to treat mildew. If you don’t, mildew spores can be blown into the air the next time you vacuum. [4] X Research source To reduce the health dangers of inhalation, empty your vacuum outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
Avoid using excess water. If you soak your carpet, you’ll be creating the sort of moist conditions that led to the growth of the mildew in the first place. Your goal here is to gently clean the carpet fibers, not give them a bath.
Dehumidifiers can be expensive. The best time to buy them is towards the end of summer or fall, when they are the cheapest. Remember to take advantage of sales and coupons as well. If you live in a dry place, you can open up some windows. If you live in a humid place, keep the windows closed and turn on a fan. This won’t decrease the ambient moisture, but it will give the carpet much-needed ventilation.
For rugs, on the other hand, you should be able to roll up the rug and hang it outside in a well-ventilated area without much difficulty. Here, you can give the rug a deep cleaning without fear of encouraging further mold growth. Be sure to check any padding under the carpet for the presence of mold. Dispose of any padding with signs of mold growth—leaving it can encourage mildew growth on future carpets that are laid over it. [5] X Research source
An alternative homemade solution is to put a little white vinegar in a spray bottle, spritz the affected area, wait 10 minutes for it to set, then sprinkle baking soda on top and vacuum when the solution is done reacting. See below for more information on this home remedy. [6] X Research source If you just want to use vinegar without baking soda, try a one part vinegar, three parts warm water solution. [7] X Expert Source Safir AliProfessional Dry Cleaner Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.
Mix 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) of undiluted lemon juice with enough salt to form a loose paste. Pour or scoop your lemon/salt paste onto the affected fabric. Scrub gently with a soft-bristled brush. Wash and dry your fabric in the laundry machine or use a vacuum to remove excess paste and air-dry.
Use a cotton swab or a clean rag to dab hydrogen peroxide directly onto the stain. Allow the hydrogen peroxide to set for 15 minutes. Wash as normal. For extra stain-fighting power, add about 1/3 to 2/3 cup (80 to 160 milliliters) of hydrogen peroxide to your laundry in addition to your normal detergents.
Make a half-and-half mixture of vinegar and warm water in a small bowl. Dab this mixture into the affected fabric with a clean rag or add it to a spray bottle and spray it onto the fabric. Let the vinegar set for 10 minutes, then generously apply baking soda to the wet spot to neutralize the vinegar. For clothing, wash and dry as normal. For upholstery and carpet, vacuum and allow to dry.
Use caution with colored fabrics, however; leaving them in the sun for long periods of time can cause their dye to fade.
