The mold you see on bread is a fungus — neither plant nor animal. Unlike plants, which need light to produce food, mold can grow in complete darkness. Light neither encourages nor inhibits mold growth, although warm temperatures that accompany sunlight can accelerate mold growth.

No matter how many preservatives are in it, all bread will eventually mold. By keeping the bread in a cool and dark place, it will last longer and stay fresh. Heat, humidity and light are all bad for bread but great for fungi or mold, so consider your fridge your best bet to keep your bread fresh and yummy.

Mold often grows in dark areas which may lead some people to believe the mold requires darkness to grow. Mold actually grows in both light and dark environments, but dark areas most often provide the ideal growing conditions for mold. For this reason, mold usually grows faster in the dark.

To clean these fragile materials, the Organic Consumers Association suggests using rubbing alcohol or vodka with water. To clean mold with vinegar, just spray it on the moldy surface and leave it.

If the article cannot be bleached, try removing the mold with lemon juice or white vinegar. Soak a cotton pad in lemon juice or vinegar and place it on the stain. Allow it to soak for several minutes. Remove the pad and sprinkle the area with some salt to further boost the effect of the acid.

Removing Mildew on Fabrics Using Bleach

1. Use a vacuum or bristle brush to remove loose fungi.
2. Add 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water.
3. Dip a bristle brush in the mixture and scrub the mildew.
4. Allow the mixture to sit on the area for 15-20 minutes.
5. Rinse and dry well to prevent future mildew growth.

Use a mold killing solution in the washer: Bleach – This substance can kill mold in fabrics but it can fade colors. So make sure to spot-test first and read the label. Some labels say “no chlorine bleach”. Once you know your clothes won’t be damaged, wash them with normal detergent and one cup of bleach.

Our Expert Agrees: Washing your clothes in hot water and vinegar will kill about 80% of mold spores, and it will also help with the unpleasant moldy smell. Finish the cycle, then wash the clothes again with regular detergent and non-chlorine bleach.

Try hand washing, dry cleaning or using a machine to clean your clothes. Borax, baking soda, tea tree oil or using hydrogen peroxide are common and natural ways of killing the spores. Alternatively, bleach and regular mold-killing detergents can also be used.

Wearing clothing with mold will cause skin concerns. Depending on the individual and their reaction to mold, skin problems can range from mild itchiness and irritation to severe skin rashes and even toxicity.

The musty smell in your clothes is the result of mold or mildew growing on them. This can happen to clothes that have been in a dark and humid place for too long, or it can be a sign that your washing machine or dryer contains mold or mildew.

Unless you’re hanging your laundry outside on a summer scorcher, it’s generally going to take longer for clothes to air-dry than in your machine. Just remember to never put away damp clothes or linens, which would invite mold and mildew.

I wouldn’t advise it. Clothes will dry faster when there is more air circulating around them. Wearing damp clothes can lead to chafing and wrinkles forming as you sit or bend.

mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the mold problem.

In general, you can leave your wet clothes for a maximum of eight to twelve hours, according to an expert from the Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Science. Bad smelling clothing is typically caused by the growth of bacteria and even mold, which can develop if wet clothes are left in the washer for too long.

While Martha says it’s fine to leave wet clothes in the washing machine overnight on occasion, she does caution against making it a habit. If you want your laundry to look and smell its best, give yourself plenty of time to wash, dry and fold clothes before bedtime.

What Makes Clothes Smell Damp? No matter how great smelling fabric softener you use, the damp smell is caused by trapped moisture in the clothes. If some moisture remains after drying, your clothes will smell damp even when they eventually dry completely.

It is okay to leave clothes in the dryer overnight provided you dry them first. Otherwise, you can get mold if you leave them wet. The next morning, before taking the clothes out of the drier, just give them a few minutes of tumbling to get out some of the wrinkles and make it easier to iron if necessary..