Mold, mildew and damage family: remove growth, accept damage
How to get mildew on towels out
Mould from towels or clothes left damp. Dark dots and a musty smell.
Do this first
Brush outdoors
Fresh stain
- Brush outdoors
- Wash hottest allowed with oxygen bleach (chlorine on white cotton)
- Sun-dry
Dried or old
- Repeat
- heavy mould on porous items: discard
- Fabric care
- Wear a mask if there's a lot (EPA).
- Time
- 1 wash
- How to tell
- Look: grey-black dots; Feel: normal; Smell: musty
Where this fix comes from
- US EPA, Mold cleanup in your home
- University of Illinois Extension, Stain Solutions
- American Cleaning Institute, Stain Removal Chart
We check every fix against these published guides. We do not run a test lab of our own.
Before you start
- Test on a hidden seam first.
- Never mix cleaners.
- Keep it out of the dryer until the stain is gone.