Why Mildew Grows on Stored Clothes
To come up with effective solutions for blocking mildew, it helps to first understand what causes it in the first place. Mildew requires two key things to grow—moisture and food.
Warm, Humid Environments Enable Mold Growth
Mildew is a type of mold that grows on damp fabrics. Like other mold varieties, mildew spores thrive in the right environmental conditions, especially warmth and humidity. Places like basements, garages, and tightly-packed closets provide ideal incubation for mildew.
As a living organism, mildew needs adequate airflow and humidity to proliferate. Stagnant air and moisture get trapped within stacks of clothing and linen, fueling growth. Hot summer months further enable mold with increased humidity and temperatures.
Without proper climate control, storage areas easily transform into mold farms. The musty smell is caused by microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs)—released as waste from mildew feasting on your fabrics.
Fabrics and Fibers Provide Food for Mildew
Cotton, linen and other natural fabrics contain cellulose that mold feeds on. Bleaches, food stains, skin flakes and other residues also supply nutrients. Unlike synthetics, natural materials are biodegradable over time, slowly decomposing right on your closet shelf.
Delicates like silk are particularly vulnerable thanks to their delicate protein fibers. Mildew releases enzymes to break down proteins and carbs within the silk, literally digesting your clothes.
Once mildew takes hold, spores burrow deep into fabric weaves, making removal extremely difficult. The longer clothes sit, the more damage occurs.
Storing Clothes to Avoid Mildew
Mildew prevention ultimately comes down to controlling two variables—moisture and food supply. Cut off one or both, and you halt mold growth. This involves storage methods that:
- Keep fabrics dry
- Allow airflow
- Block food supply via cleaning
Solutions range from breathable containers, to drying agents, air circulation, and more.
Use Breathable Storage Containers
Storage containers themselves make a big difference in preventing humidity buildup. Breathable bins allow airflow, while solid plastic traps moisture.
- ☑️ Canvas or mesh: Bin types like fabric pop ups, soft sided cubes, and laundry bags enable ventilation. These maintain dryness best for long term storage.
- ❌ Plastic tubs: Plastic bins, while handy for organizing, also facilitate mildew growth when stacked tightly. If using, make sure clothing is ultra dry first. Even better, incorporate moisture wicking tools inside.
- 🤔 Enclosed closets: Similarly, closed closet spaces easily turn muggy. Make sure rooms have louvred doors, exhaust fans, or other circulation helps. Dehumidifiers also combat stuffiness in closets and basements.
Incorporate Drying Agents
For plastic or enclosed storage when ventilation is limited, drying agents become essential. These moisture-absorbing products actively ward off mildew by removing its key growth ingredient—water.
- Silica gel packs: Throw some silica gel packs in your bin. These little moisture grabbers work just like in product packaging, pulling humidity away from clothes.
- Cedar blocks and sachets: Fragrant cedar repels moths and mildew. The natural aromatic oil has antifungal properties, while cedar’s breathability helps airflow.
- Moisture absorbers: Products like DampRid actively soak up ambient moisture from a storage area. Just don’t let packs directly contact clothing.
Rotate desiccants seasonally and replace as they become saturated. This ensures continuous protection against moisture accumulation and associated mold growth.
Add Anti-Mildew Fragrances
Certain natural fragrances deter mildew from taking hold in your stored apparel. Sachets of anti-fungal spices keep bins and closets fresher longer:
- Cedar blocks and cedar chipping sachets
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cloves
- Lavender buds
- Tea tree oils
- Coffee beans
Like cedar blocks, these all fight odors, prevent insect damage, and hinder mold growth. Just avoid direct contact between sachets and clothing, which could stain delicate fabrics.
Clean Out First
Before storage, always launder or dry clean items first. Remove food spills, sweat residue, and other grime that mildew eats. Store only 100% clean, fully dried clothing.
Use odor eliminators on smoke smells which also “feed” mold. Vinegar in the wash kills bacteria and fungi remaining on fabrics.
Finally, allow clothes to finish drying completely. Even slight moisture lets spores take root later during storage.
Removing Musty Mildew Smells
Despite best efforts, mildew still sneaks its way into stored textiles. That first whiff of must alerts you to take action. Here’s how to rescue clothes and eliminate stains.
Wash With Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Detergent
At the first sign of mildew, launder items ASAP. This stops mold growth and avoids permanent sets. Wash smelliest clothes separately to prevent cross-contamination.
Washing steps:
- Soak overnight in vinegar which kills mildew.
- Scrub baking soda paste on stains.
- Wash with detergent in hottest water allowed.
- Air dry in sunlight which deodorizes.
Vinegar dissolves residue and fungi, baking soda lifts stains, and sunlight naturally deodorizes as you dry. Check care labels and test fringe areas first since vinegar can fade some fabrics.
Repeat washing cycles as needed until mildew stench disappears. Unfortunately smells may linger if mold penetrated fibers deeply.
Air Out in Sunlight
Nothing eliminates musty odors like fresh breezes and sunlight. Mold hates sun exposure while UV rays sanitize fabrics.
Hang affected clothes outdoors on a drying rack or clothesline. Rotate periodically so both sides get equal direct light. Let items sit for several hours over a couple days.
If staining or discoloration occurred, sunlight also naturally bleaches out evidence of mildew damage.
Use Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal absorbs and traps all kinds of odors safely and naturally. Put clothes in a bin with loose charcoal pieces mixed in to soak up mildew stench. Seal tightly and let sit for a day or two.
For faster results, used distilled white vinegar first to kill mold, then charcoal to remove musty smell remnants lodged deeply.
Preventing Future Mildew Growth
Once you evict existing mildew invaders, it’s equally important to moth-proof storage areas against future outbreaks. This requires ongoing vigilance and climate control methods.
Control Closet Humidity and Airflow
Creating an inhospitable environment for mildew remains key for prevention. Maintain clean, breatheable, and dry storage zones and you won’t see mold again.
- Install a dehumidifier to regulate moisture below 50% relative humidity.
- Use vent fans, air conditioning, and open shelving whenever possible.
- Check humidity gauge and adjust as needed by season.
- Remove and totally dry any condensation inside bins or on surfaces.
Proper airflow and reduced humidity leaves no room for mildew to return. However, keep monitoring since hot spots can let spores gain a foothold.
Wash and Dry Thoroughly Before Storing
Precleaning clothing eliminates food sources mold relies on. Don’t give mildew room to grow by putting away dirty clothes!
- Machine wash everything first, using odor eliminators on smelly pieces.
- Vinegar helps sanitize of bacteria and fungi.
- Check cuffs and collars for hidden stains.
- Ensure clothes are completely dry before folding away. Any moisture lets mildew take root.
Check Regularly for Signs of Mildew
Make inspection part of your regular storage maintenance. Periodically check containers and closet corners for early warning signs:
- Musty, moldy smells
- Moisture accumulation
- White fuzzy patches or black dots on fabrics
Catching mildew early makes removal and smell rescue much more successful. Don’t let stench take over before taking action!
Conclusion
With vigilance on proper storage methods, mildew doesn’t stand a chance. Control moisture, allow airflow, block food supply, and keep inspecting. Implement these habits, and you’ll never dread opening a bin of clothes again.
Hopefully these preventative steps and removal tips arm you to fight mildew for good! Let me know if you have any other questions on managing mold in clothing.
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