Let's get rid of those horrid mould stains!

So, here's the situation!

You draw back the curtain and to your horror, there is mould on the curtain linings, which has been caused by condensation from the window! You've tried applying Milton sterilising fluid, and also tried scrubbing them with baking soda with a little white vinegar using hints and tips you found on the internet! To your dismay, the stains haven't come out and whats more, the curtains are dry clean only so cannot be washed. I'ts a known fact that Dry cleaning will not get rid of mould stains so what should you do?

Well, here are a few pointers on how you should go about trying to remove the unsightly mould stains!

Firstly, mould and mildew will always develop, if at first sight the mould spores are not removed! A solution with bleach is usually very effective on window surrounds, but as we all know, removing mould from material fabric is a lot more difficult! My recommendation is to brush off mould spores from upholstery and fabrics and then administer an anti-mildew solution directly on to the affected area. There are many anti mould products available on the market. Results will depend mostly on how long the mould has been left on the fabric before being treated. Obviously, the longer the mould has been left, the harder it will be to remove it and in some cases, it may not be possible to remove the staining completely. If at first you don't succeed, try a repeat process as sometimes this can remove the last traces of mould. If precious or valuable furnishings have been affected by mould, you should think about taking professional advice before using any solutions with bleach. Always test products on a small and discreet area before using them. Repeated treatments may be necessary. When treating mould on white fabrics, (nylon excluded), the fabric should be treated with bleach diluted with a twenty - volume hydrogen peroxide solution (one part to six parts of cold water). If using domestic household bleach, this is ok to use on white cotton material or linen fabric which are untreated and do not have a specific finish. If treating coloured fabrics moisten the stained areas and use a bar of household soap to rub over the affected area. Put the linen or fabric outside so that it can dry naturally in the sunshine or if it is not sunny, place near a window. Wash as normal with fabric conditioner. There are also alternative household remedies available. For stains on linen, mix 1 teaspoon of starch with 2 tablespoons of table salt and add a few drops of lemon juice. Apply the mixture to the affected area and allow the fabric to air for four to four and a half hours. Next, wash the fabric with your usual detergent and conditioner. Another method is to moisten a bar of household soap and apply it over the stained area. Then apply the area with some white chalk. Allow the fabric to dry in the open air. Dampen the stained area again and conduct the procedure again. Launder the fabric as you would do normally. If you have no success with proprietary cleaning brands, there is no straightforward or 100 percent certain way of removing stubborn mould and mildew stains. My strongest recommendation here is prevention! Always make sure that all fabrics and curtains are kept away from window surrounds or window glass to reduce the risk of mould growth. Also, keep windows and window surrounds regularly cleaned with a household bleach diluted 1-1 with water.

Sparkle Sisters offer a wide range of domestic and commercial cleaning services:

For office cleaning in Solihull or surrounding areas call 07552232998

For house cleaning in Solihull or surrounding areas call 07552232998