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Mildew. Tips to remove Mildew stains

Mildew is a stain that grows over time.  Mildew will start growing when the fabric has been wet or damp for a long time.  Mildew can destroy the fibers, causing the fibers to weaken and fall apart if left sit for a long time.

When you find clothing that is growing mildew, shake the fabric when you are outside.

Use a scrub brush or similar soft brush and scrape off as much of the growing mildew as you can without stretching out the materials too much.

Use a pre treat stain stick or spray and saturate the mildew stains good.

Then cover the stained mildew areas with a clear liquid detergent and work this in with your fingers or a soft brush to loosen more of the mildew stain.

Soak the item in a bucket of water, or if the fabric allows, soak the fabric in a bucket of bleach and water mixture. Soak for about fifteen to twenty minutes.

Rinse the material out well using the hottest water that you can to get the soap and bleach out of the materials.

Air dry your garment in the sun to kill off mold, and then launder as usual to be sure you have killed off all the mildew growing on this material.

If you find a garment or fabric is covered in mildew you are going to have a very difficult time getting it all out and it may be beyond repair. If you have a very highly mildewed garment, you might try using dry cleaning fluid on the garment if it is a very special item that you want to save.