Q&A: Musty Laundry?
By Jenn (TinyChoices.com) | January 3, 2008
Welcome to Tiny Choices Q&A, where we open the floor for discussion on questions which ya’ll have submitted (read the first list of questions here).
delqc asks:
One chemical I have not found a good eco-friendly alternative for is bleach. I still use it when washing things like towels and washcloths which can get very soiled and (since they are often wet) mildewey. I haven’t found any other product that will kill mildew other than washing with at least some bleach. This is especially true since I don’t use disposable wash cloths or swiffer cloths, but use all reusable cloths instead. Are there any good disinfecting alternatives to bleach?
Since it seems to be Vinegar Week here at Tiny Choices, I thought this would be an appropriate time to tackle this question. First and foremost, try to let those damp towels and washcloths dry out before putting them into the hamper- wet and bunched-up cloths are just an invitation to mold.
My suggestion for a mildew-smiting bleach replacer (as opposed to fabric whitener) is… you guessed it… white vinegar! Use it in the fabric softener dispenser — it acts as both a mildew/mold fighter and static reducer, so it will be helpful in both these respects. And if you’re using fabric softener, stop- besides being made from toxic chemicals, it builds up in fabrics and actually makes them less absorbent.
Alternately, try adding 1-2 cups of baking soda to your wash and letting it all soak for a bit. Baking soda is an amazing scrubber of all things, and will probably go a long way in getting rid of the musty smell. However, as noted earlier, the combo of vinegar+ baking soda is effervescent- so, one or the other, please!
I’ve read that drying items in the sun will also help to kill the nasties, but being an apartment dweller in the midst of winter, I can’t road-test this one for you.
Give these tips a shot, and please report back on the efficiency or non-efficiency of said suggestions!
Anyone else have suggestions for delqc?
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you might want to try borax as well
Use hydrogen Peroxide. It doesn’t give of the toxic chlorine odor, It is safe (you can gargle with it). It kills 99% of bacteria and other toxins. I have used it in my laundry and it does a great job.
Hey Larry, thanks for the tip! Do you put it in with the detergent, or in the “fabric softener” cup, or maybe it doesn’t really matter?
[...] Q&A: Musty Laundry? [...]
I’ve tried the hydrogen peroxide and I find it doesn’t kill the mildewey scent… once the towels get wet they smell again…
I’m trying vinegar now, and I’m also trying to remember to dry my towels and washcloths in the sun. The UV kills the mildew no problem!
Do report back, please!
I use lemon juice on my whites. I have tried soaking and pre-treating with lemon and both have had great results.
Even after a wash, I can still smell the lemon which is a bonus for me.
Thanks for the advice, Erica!
When I was a young mother and had trouble with musty laundry, my mother told me to use Ivory Flakes — and it worked. It was, she said, a soap, not a detergent. Whenever I smelled anything musty, it got washed in Ivory Snow. It worked terrifice and didn’t matter what color the garment was — bleach only works on whites that can be bleached. With Ivory, the musty smell just went away.
I now cannot find Ivory Flakes. Are they still made? I looked on the internet about a year ago — and only find Ivory Snow — detergent. Maybe the thing to do is shave from Ivroy soap bars — or don’t they make those anymore either…?