How to Remove Mold From Fabric and Upholstery

Fabrics soak up moisture easily and take a long time to dry, which makes them an easy target for mold. Towels left in a pile, clothes forgotten in the washer, curtains against a cold window or a couch in a damp basement can all develop spots and a musty smell.

Quick answer: most washable fabrics can be saved: brush off the mold outside, soak them in white vinegar or oxygen bleach, wash them in the hottest water the label allows, and dry them completely, ideally in the sun. Upholstery that can’t go in the washer can be cleaned with a light solution of vinegar or rubbing alcohol, but only for surface spots. If mold has soaked deep into cushions, padding or a mattress, or a musty smell won’t go away, it’s safer to replace the item.

Table of Contents

Before you start

Work outside if you can. Brushing mold indoors spreads spores to other fabrics and rooms.
Wear gloves and an N95 mask, especially for heavily moldy items.
Check the care label. It tells you the hottest water and whether bleach is allowed.
Don’t put moldy items in the dryer first. Heat can set stains and smells. Clean first, dry after.
Fix the cause. Find out why the fabric got moldy (damp closet, leak, humid room) so it doesn’t happen again.

How to remove mold from washable fabrics

This works for clothes, towels, bedding, washable curtains, cushion covers and fabric shower curtains.

Brush off visible mold outside with a soft brush or old toothbrush.
Pre-soak for about an hour in one of these:
- White vinegar: 1 cup in a bucket or sink of warm water. Good for most colors and for musty smells.
- Oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate): follow the label. Great for stains on colored and white fabrics.
- Chlorine bleach: only for white cotton and linens that allow it, following the label.
Wash in the hottest water the label allows, with your normal detergent. Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse for extra odor removal (never in the same wash as chlorine bleach).
Check before drying. If you still see spots or smell mustiness, repeat the soak and wash.
Dry completely, ideally in direct sunlight, which helps kill mold and fade stains. Then tumble dry if needed.

Towels that smell musty even after washing usually have built-up detergent and moisture. Wash them in hot water with 1 cup of vinegar (no detergent), then again with 1/2 cup of baking soda, and dry them fully.

Delicate fabrics like silk, wool and dry-clean-only items: take them to a professional cleaner and tell them about the mold.

How to remove mold from upholstery

For couches, armchairs and fabric headboards that can’t go in the washer. This works for surface spots only.

Take the furniture outside if possible, or open windows and use a fan.
Vacuum the area with a HEPA vacuum and an upholstery attachment.
Check the cleaning code on the tag: “W” means water-based cleaners are OK, “S” means solvent only, “W/S” means either, and “X” means vacuum only (call a professional).
Mix a cleaning solution: for “W” fabrics, equal parts white vinegar and water, or a little dish soap in water. For “S” fabrics, use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) diluted 1:1 with water, or a solvent upholstery cleaner.
Test on a hidden spot first.
Dab, don’t soak. Lightly dampen a cloth, blot the moldy area, and work from the outside in.
Wipe with a cloth dampened in clean water.
Dry quickly and completely in the sun or with fans. Moisture left in the cushion can make mold come back.
Vacuum again once dry.

Removable cushion covers can usually be washed following the washable fabrics method above, if the label allows.

Curtains

Washable curtains: follow the washable fabrics method. Non-washable or heavy curtains: vacuum, spot-clean with the vinegar or alcohol solution, and dry in the sun, or have them professionally cleaned. Keep curtains a little away from cold, wet windows to prevent it happening again.

Rugs and carpets

Small washable rugs: wash them like other fabrics and dry them completely.
Larger rugs: take them outside, vacuum both sides, scrub surface spots with the vinegar solution, rinse lightly and dry in the sun, flipping them over.
Wall-to-wall carpet: surface spots can be cleaned the same way, but if the mold has reached the padding underneath (often after flooding or a long leak), the carpet and pad usually need to be replaced.

Outdoor cushions and canvas

Brush off the mold, then scrub with a solution of oxygen bleach or a dedicated outdoor fabric cleaner. Rinse well and dry in full sun. Many outdoor fabrics are designed to handle diluted bleach, but check the maker’s instructions first.

When to throw it away

Replace fabric items when:

Mold has soaked deep into cushions, foam, padding or a mattress
The item was in floodwater or sewage
A musty smell stays after two or three cleanings
Stains keep coming back
The fabric is falling apart or the item is cheap to replace
Someone in the home has asthma, allergies or a weakened immune system, and the item can’t be fully cleaned

How to prevent mold on fabric

Never leave wet clothes or towels in piles or in the washing machine; dry them within a few hours.
Dry everything completely before putting it away.
Keep indoor humidity between 30% and 50%.
Leave space in closets and drawers so air can move.
Keep furniture and curtains a few inches away from cold exterior walls and windows.
Store seasonal fabrics in breathable cotton bags, not sealed plastic, in a dry room.
Bring outdoor cushions inside or cover them during long rainy periods.

Frequently asked questions

Does washing clothes kill mold?

Washing in hot water with detergent removes most mold. Adding white vinegar or oxygen bleach and drying in the sun gives the best results.

Can I wash moldy clothes with other laundry?

It’s better to wash them separately, at least the first time, to avoid spreading spores and smell.

Why do my clothes smell musty after washing?

Usually because they stayed wet too long in the washer, or the washer itself has mold in the door seal or detergent drawer. Clean the machine and dry clothes right away.

Is it safe to use a couch that had mold?

Yes, if the mold was only on the surface, it’s been cleaned and dried, and there’s no musty smell. If mold reached the cushion foam, replace the cushions or the couch.

Can vinegar damage fabric?

White vinegar is safe for most washable fabrics. Test it first on delicate or brightly colored items.

Sources

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Mold

Last reviewed: October 2026. This article is for general information and is not medical, legal or professional advice.