Ask Mrs. Clean: House Cleaning, Stain Removal and Organizing Tips

[kurlylox]

How can I get some mildew stains out of a pair of jeans. I have tried washing them with vinegar and baking soda but that didn't take it out.

[mrscleannw]

Hello kurlylox and Welcome to Mrs. clean's Forum!

I can offer some suggestions, but it is really difficult to get out mildew stains from a darker fabric without "bleaching".

Try these ideas and as usual - try in an inconspicuous spot first before doing a large area:

Fels Naptha soap. I have found this inexpensive bar soap works wonders! You can usually purchase it at grocery stores in the cleaning products isle. It has removed mildew stains from a favorite shirt of mine. I had to scrub a bit and treat it twice.

Another suggestion is mix 1/2 baking soda and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide into a paste. Rub into the area then let it sit for 15 minutes. Launder as usual.

Last idea is to try borax- make sure that it states that it is okay to use on dark clothes first. (I searched the web and it appears that it will not fade clothing.) People used to use this as a laundry booster and it works well on stopping mildew from coming back from window sills.

As mentioned above, test these products in an inconspicuous spot before using on a larger area. Good Luck and let me know how it turns out!

Mrs. Clean