Mildew stains can really be an eyesore but before you throw out the clothing or replace the carpet, there are some ways you can get those stains out. You may need to offer several applications in order to completely remove the stains though. You should also expect to spend several hours to complete the process. Yet it will all be worth it if you can save money in the long run. Replacing clothing and carpet can definitely be an additional expense you didn’t budget for.
Mildew stains can occur on clothing when you have wet clothes on top of dry ones. If you have a laundry chute you need to be careful of this because you may be throwing down wet towels that will sit on top of dry clothing. If your laundry room is in the basement, that amount of moisture can result in brownish colored stains on light colored clothing.
Using lemon juice and either a toothbrush or a nail brush, you can loosen up the mildew pores on clothing. Once you have given them a good scrub you will need to place them outdoors. The sun will kill of the majority of the mildew. Should you still see parts of the stain then you will need to repeat the process. Once all of the mildew stain has been removed you can machine was and dry the clothes as you normally would.
Bleach can be used on some types of fabrics in order to remove mildew stains. You do have to be careful though as it will make colors fade. You definitely can’t use bleach on your carpet or you will end up with white spots on it that won’t be any more attractive. You can also use vinegar in order to get out mildew stains from most types of materials including the carpet. It is wise to try it on a piece that is well hidden first though just in case.
You may have to try several different methods in order to remove mildew stains from certain items. Make sure you try to take care of it right away though as the spores can continue to multiply. It is best if you use gloves to protect your body from coming into contact with the mildew spores as you attempt to remove the stains.