Waterproof outerwear is designed to protect your clothes from rain and snow, but these damp conditions can also be an ideal breeding ground for mould. Read on to find out how you can remove mould from waterproof fabric and keep your clothes looking and smelling great
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Mould grows in dark, damp environments and if your waterproofs aren’t fully dry when you put them away, it can be an ideal place for mould to thrive. Mould can also be dangerous as it can irritate your skin, eyes and throat or have more serious consequences if you are allergic.
Before You Start
Before you attempt to remove the mould, it is important to take effective safety measures. Wear gloves, work outside or in a well-ventilated room and make sure that you keep away from other fabrics or the mould spores can spread.
Using White Vinegar
If your clothing is machine washable, add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to kill mould spores and remove any odour without damaging the waterproof coating. If your item can’t go in the washing machine, dampen a cloth with white vinegar and gently rub away the mould. If you leave the vinegar to sit on the fabric for around 10 minutes, it will kill the spores and remove any bad smells.
Natural Stain Removal
If vinegar doesn’t work, you could also try a mixture of lemon juice and salt. Apply some drops of lemon juice onto the mould to cover the area and then add a sprinkling of table salt and rub it in gently. You could also put the fabric in direct sunlight to help break down the mould. Then, rinse the clothing with cool water to remove the salt and lemon juice and dry the item fully to stop any further mould growth. Specialists like Extex have a wide range of luxury water resistant fabrics.
Prevention is Better than Cure
Waterproof clothes should always be dried thoroughly after wear, stored in a well-ventilated place and checked for any signs of mould developing.