How to Take mildew off color clothes?

Answer 1

If the mildew has been on the fabric for some time, it could be too late because the mold will eat away or rot the fabric. If it has not yet reached that point, brush off as much of the surface growth as possible. Do this outdoors or over a tub or sink that can later be cleaned with bleach to kill the spores and prevent growth elsewhere. Sun and heat will kill mildew. Lay or hang the garment in the sun and give it time to work. After the sunlight has done as much as it can do, presoak your garment in cold water then wash in the hottest water the fabric can tolerate, with your usual or the garment's recommended detergent. Hang or lay in the sun to dry.

If any mildew spots remain after this treatment, consider professional cleaning. Be sure to tell them the stains are from mildew. If you would rather do-it-yourself, you will have no choice but to use a bleaching method or trash the garment. The goal is to find the one that will allow your garment to retain as much of it's color as possible by using the weakest solution of the bleach that will kill the mildew but not affect the color. Spot-testing is a must.

Combine lemon juice and salt into a paste, spread over the stain and lay in the sun for bleaching. Rinse thoroughly and wash according to the method above.

Use a powder bleach containing sodium perborate or potassium monopersulfate. Combine 1-2 tablespoons of the powder with a pint of the hottest water safe for the fabric. Sponge onto the stain or soak the stain in the solution for 30 minutes. Rinse completely and was according to the method above.

Chlorine bleach can be diluted to 2 tablespoons per quart of water and still be effective at killing and removing mildew. Sponge or soak the stained area 5-15 minutes. To stop the bleaching action, soak in a solution of 2 tablespoons of vinegar per cup of water. You must be sure the fabric is tolerable of chlorine bleach (check the label for a warning.)