Removing mildew from laundry

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scrubflex

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May 12, 2008
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What is the most effective and best product that can remove mildew from laundry? I'm having a reoccurring problem with mildew. I cannot remove it completely from some of my towels and jeans. I use Ultra Tide Plus Bleach powder detergent. I've tried bleach, ammonia and baking-soda to clean out the tubs and the laundry loads, not working. Any suggestions that can help solve this problem?
 
If you washed your towels and jeans with chlorine bleach that should have removed the mildew.  Are they absolutely dry before being folded and put away?  All I can think of is that the mildew is getting redeposited somehow, either in the rinsing or drying process or where they are stored.  Does the washing machine have a noticeable mildew odor before you start a load?  Perhaps there is mold growing somewhere else inside the washer where bleach added to the wash water doesn't reach.
 
Yes henry200, they are completely dry. Now I use an extended drain hose (7 ft) for my Maytag A712, is it possible that the mildew water is forced back into the washtub from the pump? Maybe the water is not emptying out from the drain hose. I know for sure water stays inside the pump.

Thanks westie2, I'm going to try borax, lemon juice, and table salt. I've tried using vinegar before but, it didn't help.

Thank you too, henry200.
 
I use HOT water, Always use HOT water to kill mildew on towels my Bronx brother, and try Cheer Bright Clean Powder using two scoops, and an extra rinse. I also use Suavitel Fabric Softener, blue bottle, I know you can get that in the Boogie Down BX. Are you hanging your clothes out to dry, or are you putting them in the dryer. If you are using the dryer, check your dryer vent, it might be clogged, or if they are taking two cycles to dry then it is definitely a problem with the dryer and not the washer. AFTER you try this pleasae let me know what happens. You can also try washing a smaller load. I have had this problem in the past......Born and raised in the Bronx
Mike
 
PS, TIDE MAY CLEAN CLOTHES, BUT IT DOES NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT GET ODORS OUT OF LAUNDRY.
MIKE from Da Bronx
 
I can't imagine the frustration of having "clean" clothes come out stinking!  I hope you are able to find the source of the mildew and correct the problem.   Running the washer through a cycle with hot water and a heathy dose of chlorox would clear the drain line, one would think.  Checking the dryer is a good idea too.  With my allergies I'm borderline OCD when it comes to erradicating dampness in my house, especially in the basement where I do my laundry and I have many things stored. 

 

What really boggles my mind is that some people don't even notice the obnoxious odor.  At one church where I used to work there was an older member who had a terrible problem with mold in her house.   She dressed well and always appeared "clean" but she seemed to be completely unaware that her clothes reeked of mildew.  If she was anywhere in the building I could smell it, and if we were near each other my eyes would start burning and I could feel my chest tightening up like an asthma attack. 

 

Another time when I was working at a furniture store I walked onto the showroom floor one morning and immediately smelled that familiar stink.  My nose led me right to a new leather sofa.  I mentioned the problem to our merchandiser and the manager, but neither of them smelled anything "off."  Later in the day the designer (with allergies) whose desk was near the offending piece developed a headache and nausea.   Not content to "let it be" I contacted a customer service person (who had a good nose) over at the warehouse and the two of us along with someone from the buying office found that all the sofas (shipped from China) were "infected." 
 
How do you store dirty laundry?

Like henry200 I have allergy issues.  I am also a profuse sweater.  No a perspirer, but a dripping sopping wet sweater!  I have a certain bin that we store wet towels in.  It is like a laundry basket allowing plenty of ventilation which is emptied every couple of days.  Now for my clothes, if they are damp or wet from sweat I hang them from a line we have in our laundry room.  When they are dried I place them in the laundry hamper which is for clothes until laundry time.  I've had towels and clothes develop mildew by being placed in the hamper while still wet before.  And, as others said, I too love my Borax and add 1/2 cup to EVERY load, even when using chlorine bleach. 
 
Hey Boogie Down MIKE, thanks guys alot for the advice. I use hot water for the towels but, apparently it's not hot enough. I'll try boiling a few pots of water with the Cheer Bright Clean Powder detergent and use Borax. I'll also use the Suavitel Fabric Softener too. I don't have a dryer so I mainly line dry but, I've also tried hanging the towels and jeans out in the backyard, no change. Adding the Borax to the jeans and towels I believe will do the trick. Mike, is Cheer Bright Clean your main detergent you use and can it clean clothes very well?
 
Harry...............
I like the powder for my sheets, towels, bath mats and rugs, for my dress shirts and underwear, slacks, I use the liquid version. I have never had a problem with it's cleaning ablility. You can get the powder at Target, or Kmart. Stop&Shop sells the small box if you wanna try it first.
Mike
 
Line drying in the Bronx....................................

Put those towels and jeans out on the line right after they come out of the machine, and FIRST thing in the AM to dry outside.
MIKE
 
My two cents

My BIL is a runner, a bicyclist, a swimmer, and an all-round marathoner.  When he comes home from a meet, everything goes out on the line until dry.  If it's body-salt encrusted, he just throws it in the swimming pool while he does his cool-down laps.  Then on the clothesline. 

 

My experience, don't throw damp stuff in the clothes hamper.  On laundry day, it's OK to do this. 

 

Honestly, I've never had a problem with mildew so I'm not the best person to ask. 
 
Do you line dry in the house? (I have seen this in Da Bronx, even in summer).

Often a superintendent's lower-level apartment will be very humid, if that is the case.

The lack oif air conditioning (and the related dehumidification) may also contribute to high background levels of humidity and perhaps mildew.

Real pine will get the smell out. (And is a spritual cleaner).
It is oil, so it functions as a softener.

Top-loader:
Wash with plenty of detergent and warm or hot water
Pine oil rinse
Second rinse

Or pre-wash with pine and then wash as you normally would using extra detergent.

Of course there is the Lysol liquid concentrate in the brown bottle. (Please no douching with it, Thank you!)

Hugely effective but it has that "I'm covering the smell of death as found in a hospital" vibe.

Good luck.

CAREFUL has sound.

Deja me decir mis toneterias, mi esposo estaba Borinquen.
Felicidades

 
My wife and I make sure that whatever we put in the hamper until laundry day is completely dry, bath towels especially.  Like Charlie said, hang it up before putting it in the hamper. 
 

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