Can Mold on Your Clothes Spread?

10 May Can Mold on Your Clothes Spread?

When people think about mold in their home, they usually only think of places where mold is typically found, like around water pipes under the sink, or in a dark, damp basement. However, indoor mold lurks and grows in many other places. 

For example, have you ever smelled a musty odor coming from your clothes? That’s a sign there may be mold on your clothes. Can mold on clothes spread to the rest of your house? Yes, it sure can! Let’s take a look at how to identify mold on clothes and how it can be harmful to the rest of your home. 

What does mold on clothes look like?

Whether it’s sweaty shoes and activewear that never finished drying, or a still-damp winter sweater you put away in a plastic bag, mold can definitely grow on clothing. Many types of mold, including toxic black mold, can grow on clothing in the right conditions, and that is certainly not something you want to spread around your home!

When the natural fibers in clothing meet moisture and a warm, dark environment, it becomes the perfect place for mold to grow. You can even find mold on clean laundry if the items are slightly damp and left in the basement or another dark, warm spot for too long. 

Mold presents in a variety of colors, including black, white, and pretty much any shade of the rainbow. But most of the time, you will probably smell mold on clothing before you see it. Moldy clothes have a distinctive, musty scent. If your clothing smells “off,” check for visible mold spots on the fabric. Make sure to turn the clothes inside out for a thorough examination. 

Can mold on clothes spread throughout the house? 

Can mold spores travel on clothing? The answer is a resounding yes. When outside, mold spores may latch on to your clothes, coming inside your home when you do. From there, those spores can easily move on to other pieces of clothing in your closet, dresser, or laundry basket. And while you’re walking through your home, mold on your clothing releases spores that land in other areas of your home, such as carpets, walls, and furniture, where they can start to grow. 

Mold spores from clothing can also enter the air of your home, triggering mold allergies and sickness symptoms. These symptoms may include excessive sneezing or runny nose, coughing, and irritated eyes.

Will washing clothes get rid of mold? 

Mold on laundry and athletic clothes can be a bit tricky to get rid of. Here are the steps to follow to make sure you remove mold from your clothing completely, so you are no longer spreading it around your home. 

Step 1: Check All Your Clothes

Once you find mold on your clothing, check the other garments nearby to see if the mold spores have migrated. Collect any pieces with spots or a funky smell that you suspect may be from mold. 

Step 2: Get Them in the Sun

Once you have collected all the moldy clothes, hang them outside in the sun. Sunlight is a natural mold killer, and will immediately stop mold from growing. If you cannot hang your clothes in the sun outside, you can hang them in a sunny, indoor room with an open window to keep air flowing. 

Step 3: Brush Away Spots

If there are visible mold spots on the clothing, take them outside and use a brush to remove as much of the mold as you can. Remember, this process releases mold spores, so wear a mask to ensure you do not breathe them in. 

Step 4: Wash the Clothes

Once most of the visible mold is gone, wash the clothes following the garment manufacturer’s instructions. You can also add something to kill any remaining mold, such as bleach, Borax, or white vinegar to your detergent. Or, add baking soda to your wash to help remove any remaining mold smells. 

Step 5: Dry Them Thoroughly

Once you wash your clothes, make sure to dry them all the way. Either use your dryer or hang them out to dry in the sun. 

Mold Inspection and Testing in Massachusetts

Mold on clothing is harmful. Not only can it leave stains and bad smells on clothes, but mold on clothes can spread throughout your entire home. If you have recently found mold on your laundry, chances are good that you have mold in other parts of your house as well. The only way to know for sure is to get a thorough examination. Call Pure Maintenance NE today at 401-205-3825 to schedule your free mold inspection. 

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