Killing Mold, Part 3: Other Suspects
The thing about mold? It spreads, and sometimes it spreads to unsuspecting places like our clothing, our shoes, even hats. It makes you shudder to consider, doesn’t it? Here’s how to handle those more delicate items.
Clothing: Does your closet share a wall with some pipes? If those pipes leak, you can get closet mold, and it can spread to your clothing. Luckily, fixing it is as easy as changing your washing routine. Add 1 cup of vinegar to the detergent compartment and wash on hot. Hang dry in sunlight, if you can, to kill any last remaining vestiges and make your clothes inhospitable to regrowth.
Towels: Even mold-free towels can retain a mildew smell. Get rid of it by washing towels on the hot cycle twice: once with an added cup of white vinegar, and a second with ½ cup of baking soda.
Hats: A delicate or vintage hat will need a professional cleaner, but you can take care of felt or baseball caps yourself. Go outside and use a rag or paper towel to brush off what you can. Sprinkle the area with talcum powder and leave it to sit for a few minutes. Brush the talcum powder away, then take a wet cloth or wipe and pat away the rest, wetting and cleaning the entire hat. Let it dry in the sun.
Leather Shoes: Like with hats, do this process outside. Take off as much as you can with a damp cloth and allow the shoes to dry, then clean the entire shoe with a mild soap or special leather cleaner.
Curtains: Some might need professional cleaning, but you can decontaminate cotton and linen ones yourself. Wash them the same way you would clothes, with a cup of vinegar in the detergent. If stains remain after washing, remove them by applying a paste of lemon and salt. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, then rinse the curtains with water and wash again.
Tents: As outdoor shelters set up on damp ground, it makes sense that mold would eventually invade a tent— but that doesn’t mean it gets to stay! Clean a moldy tent with a sponge and soapy water, then soak it in bathtub or large container filled with a solution of water and technical fabric cleaner. Hang in the sun until it’s halfway dry, then move it into the shade to dry the rest of way. Treat stains by scrubbing with a mixture of 1 cup salt, 1 cup lime juice, and 2 ½ gallons water, and allow to dry. Be sure to repair any tears and re-coat with waterproofing, and make sure it’s thoroughly dry before packing it away.
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