How to prevent mold from growing on wet clothes?

Mold on Clothes: Causes, Risks, and How I Prevent It

I used to think mold on clothes was something that only happened in forgotten piles of wet laundry. That was until I opened my closet one day and caught that musty smell. After a quick check the issue have been solved. Mold found a place on my shirts and jackets. I had no idea what caused it but I knew I had to figure out something - and prevent it from happening again.

Why I Found Mold on My Clothes

After some trial and error, I realized mold wasn’t appearing randomly - it was growing because of a few key mistakes:

• Storing Clothes While They Were Still Damp – Sometimes, I didn’t wait long enough for laundry to fully dry before folding and putting it away.
• Leaving Worn Clothes in a Pile – Even if they weren’t soaked, sweaty or slightly damp clothes left in the laundry basket for too long started to smell musty.
• Poor Airflow in the Closet – My closet was packed tightly, and there wasn’t much ventilation. Without airflow, humidity built up, creating the perfect environment for mold.
• Humidity in the Room Was Too High – I checked and found that humidity in my closet was over 70%, which slowed down drying and encouraged mold growth.
• Not Noticing Mold in the Closet Itself – When I took a closer look, I saw small mold spots forming on the closet walls. That meant spores were already in the air, waiting for moisture to land on my clothes.

Once I understood the causes, I had to get rid of the mold and make sure it wouldn’t happen again.

How I Removed Mold from My Clothes

It was time to action and not just simle wash with Tide, I had to search for some solutions and guides that could tell me how I could clean my clothes from mold. So I made small instruction which share here:

1. Took Clothes Outside – Before doing anything, I brought the moldy clothes outside. This stopped spores from spreading in my home.
2. Brushed Off Surface Mold – Wearing gloves and a mask, I used a soft-bristle brush to remove any visible mold.
3. Soaked Clothes in Vinegar or Mold Remover – I filled a bucket with water and added one cup of white vinegar per gallon of water (a fabric-safe mold remover also works). I let the clothes soak for about an hour.
4. Washed in Hot Water – To kill any remaining spores, I washed the clothes separately in hot water with detergent.
5. Dried in Sunlight – When possible, I dried the clothes outside in direct sunlight. If I had to dry them indoors, I used a dryer or a dehumidifier to make sure they were completely dry before putting them away.
6. Repeated if Necessary – Some stains didn’t come out on the first wash, so I soaked those clothes again and rewashed them.

How I Stopped Mold from Coming Back

After getting rid of the mold, I wanted to make sure it never happened again. Here’s what I changed:

1. I never store damp clothes. Now, I double-check that everything is fully dry before putting it away.
2. I don’t let laundry sit in the hamper too long. If clothes are sweaty or damp, I wash them as soon as possible.
3. I improved closet ventilation. I space out my clothes and occasionally leave the closet doors open to improve airflow.
4. I control humidity. I use a small dehumidifier and moisture absorbers (like silica gel or charcoal bags) to keep the humidity below 60%.
5. I check for mold in my closet. Every few weeks, I inspect for any signs of mold on the walls or shelves and clean them before they become a bigger problem.

What I Do If There’s Mold in the Closet

When I first found mold on my clothes, I didn’t think to check my closet walls and corners. Once I did, I noticed small mold patches on the back wall. That meant mold spores were already in the air, waiting for the right conditions to grow.

Now, if I ever see mold in the closet:

• I clean it immediately using a mold-killing solution like vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.
• I check for leaks or excess moisture that could be feeding the mold.
• I improve airflow by moving clothes around and using a small fan or dehumidifier if needed.
• If the mold keeps coming back, I know it might be a bigger issue—like hidden water damage - and I’d call a professional.

Final Thoughts

I learned that mold on clothes isn’t just about the clothes themselves—it’s about moisture, airflow, and humidity control. Now, I take a few simple steps to make sure mold doesn’t stand a chance:

• Keep clothes dry before storing them.
• Wash dirty clothes before putting them away.
• Improve ventilation in the closet.
• Keep humidity below 60%
• Check the closet for mold regularly.

Since making these changes, I haven’t had another mold issue on my clothes. The key is acting fast—whether it’s drying clothes properly, cleaning mold as soon as I see it, or making sure my storage space isn’t too humid. A few small habits have made a big difference in keeping mold away from my clothes.