Mould Control
Constant rain, cloudy skies and high humidity is the perfect environment for household mould to thrive. Mould on clothing is a common problem through Australia so if you’ve taken out your favourite winter coat and notice some white or green mould speckled all over, you are not alone!
Mould, if left untreated, can leave permanent stains and can even destroy clothing fabrics. Annoyingly, mould spreads easily to other unaffected clothing items as well which causes havoc in your wardrobe. Certain types of mould can also have adverse affects on your health particularly to individuals who are sensitive or allergic to it. This NSW Health Factsheet shares more detailed information on mould in the household.
Mould Spores YUCK!Mould spores thrive in dark, damp, poorly ventilated environments. Mould can quickly do permanent damage to clothes and fabrics so prevention really is the best solution. A hot wash will kill the mould in your clothes but unfortunately won’t do much to remove the mould stains or prevent the mould from returning. Throwing away otherwise good clothes and laundry because they have gone mouldy is expensive not to mention terrible for the planet.
So what can you do to remove mould from your beloved clothes?
1. Vinegar and Baking Soda: An effective mould killer. This mixture (2 parts baking soda and 1 part white vinegar) can also produce very good results as a stain remover and when trying to remove mildew smell. You can add this to a bucket of hot water and soak the clothes in it before washing them or simply add the vinegar/ baking soda mix to the washing machine once it has filled with water and before the first wash cycle. NOTE: Do not mix vinegar and bleach as this combination can release a dangerous gas. We highly recommend that you spot test in an inconspicuous place first in case the mixture causes discolouration.
2. Borax: Borax is not only a potent mould killer but it is water soluble, which makes it easy to add to a load of washing. Check the care label especially on any delicate clothing items. Again, we stress always to spot test first before adding it to the whole wash.
3. Drycleaning: Professional drycleaning is the most effective option when it comes to killing mould and breathing life back to your special garment. Some fabrics should not be dry-cleaned so make sure you check the care label. At Flow Laundry, we offer affordable and effective drycleaning mould removal services using state-of-the-art hydrocarbon drycleaning machinery and commercial stain removal products. Get your mould under control today and stop the spread.
