How to Get a Mildew Smell Out of Things
- 1). Wash affected clothing in soap and water. If mildew odor or spotting remains, squeeze lemon juice onto clothing that's mildewed. Then spread salt on the lemon juice. Place affected items in the sun to dry.
- 2). Mix 2 tbsp. perborate bleach with one pint of hot or lukewarm water. Apply this solution to affected clothing with a sponge. Leave the perborate bleach solution on for one-half hour, then rinse the clothing.
- 3). Spray furniture or mattresses with an aerosol fungicide containing paradichlorobenzene or paraformaldehyde. As long as the mildew hasn't reached the furniture or mattress stuffing, the fungicide will treat mildew odors. If the mildew has spread to the stuffing you'll need to have the item specially cleaned.
- 4). Send carpets or rugs to be professionally dry cleaned. While you can remove excess moisture from rugs, they're too challenging to clean fully at home.
- 5). For leather items that have mildewed, mix a solution of 1 cup rubbing alcohol and 1 cup water. Dip a cloth in the solution and wipe down the items.