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How do you get Mildew out of cotton fabrics?

How do you get Mildew out of cotton fabrics?

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Old 11-05-2010, 07:42 PM
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GrandPa (a new member was in live chat) and needs to know how to get mildew out of cotton fabrics?
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Old 11-05-2010, 07:46 PM
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I think I'd soak the fabrics in an Oxy-Clean solution for a while then launder them - hot water, detergent and more Oxy-Clean. Don't dry the fabrics if the mildew hasn't come out, just repeat soaking and laundering again.
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Old 11-05-2010, 07:48 PM
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I am surfing to help find us some help. If you have any great ideas please post them so we can let the new member know about how to get mildew out of cotton fabrics

http://www.rd.com/home-garden/mildew...icle24247.html
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Old 11-05-2010, 08:14 PM
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I bought some blue jeans I LOVED at a garage sale, that after I washed, just STUNK of mildew. I tried vinegar, Baking soda, nothing worked til I soaked them in amonia.
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Old 11-05-2010, 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by craftybear
GrandPa (a new member was in live chat) and needs to know how to get mildew out of cotton fabrics?
When I moved to AZ from Hawaii, EVERYTHING smelled mildewy. It permeated the entire house. I just kept rewashing stuff until the smell was gone. Perseverance furthers
:lol: :lol:
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Old 11-05-2010, 09:50 PM
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well if you mean the smell, buy a gallon of vinegar and mix about 1/4 or 1/3 of the gallon into some warm water and soak the cotton in it. that should work. If not buy 'BORAX' and wash in your washing machine you can soak it for awhile too.
Originally Posted by craftybear
GrandPa (a new member was in live chat) and needs to know how to get mildew out of cotton fabrics?
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Old 11-05-2010, 10:05 PM
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Do a test piece first, but this works for mildew stains. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the stained area, and put in sun for a few hours, wash and the stain should be gone.

It is important to test a bit first in case the fabric is discoloured by the juice.
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Old 11-06-2010, 03:08 AM
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I have used Borax in hot water and it worked real well.
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Old 11-06-2010, 04:03 PM
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Thanks to all... This has been a war fighting against the mildew smell and I'm beginning to believe it's hardly worth it. I even washed it in Mean Green along with a detergent, rinsed it well, and then washed it again in with Vinegar and Baking Soda. It helped but some odor lingers still. :( So, next I will get some Borax and try it and that will be my last attempt.

I tell ya, I did this because I wanted to salvage some retro fabric and I love a challenge but this is something else.

I'll let you know how the Borax does. Oh my...

Thanks everyone and esp. craftybear. Blessings, GrandPa
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Old 11-06-2010, 04:28 PM
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Welcome, GrandPa. This is a great place to be!
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