Originally Posted by
bearisgray
I would also try washing everything first - in hot water - LIKE COLORS TOGETHER - so if in case you had a bleeder, it wouldn't do much noticeable damage.
(Depending on how moldy things were - if it was just 'a touch' - I would give it a try - if the fabrics are the color of charcoal - I would also toss them)
I think I would consider wearing rubber gloves while handling the fabrics, though.
This is another 'it depends' situation -
If there's quite a bit of mildew, I'd also seriously consider wearing a mask before you start unfolding the fabrics. Mildew is a pernicious thing - the little spores go everywhere, and they absolutely LOVE the inside of your lungs. I'm pretty frugal myself, but I won't deal with mildewed stuff for any reason. Some things just aren't worth the risk! But if you are determined to salvage them, Neesie's advice is sound... a separate container OUTSIDE. Remember, your a/c picks up those spores and spreads them around your house. Just because you don't see them doesn't mean they aren't there. This is a good example of being penny-wise and pound foolish.
One last thought... if you do try to save them, dry them flat on the grass in the morning, when the nascent chlorine from the dew being evaporated by the sunlight will help kill any remaining spores (which you can count on being there... mildew doesn't go away easily).