Your Guide to Eradicating Mould in Clothes in Humid Climates

If you live where the air is thick and heavy, the fight to keep your clothes fresh can seem relentless. Whether you’re dealing with Singapore’s year-round humidity, Miami’s muggy summers, or a damp UK coastal town, moisture in the air doesn’t just make you uncomfortable. It becomes your wardrobe’s worst enemy, creating the perfect conditions for mould in clothes.

And if your laundry pile feels overwhelming (because mould prevention starts with dry, clean clothes), you can always book a professional wash and fold at Laundryheap.com, get your laundry picked up, cleaned, and delivered in 24-48 hours or less!

What Causes Mould in Clothes

Mould is a type of fungus that grows in warm, damp, poorly ventilated spaces. Your clothes become its ideal home when:

• They’re left damp for too long after washing
• They’re stored wet (even slightly) in drawers or wardrobes
• The laundry area or wardrobe has high humidity or poor airflow
• You air-dry clothes indoors without sunlight or proper ventilation

Surprising Fact: According to the World Health Organisation, indoor humidity above 60% can significantly increase the risk of mould growth in fabrics and household materials. In cities like Singapore, humidity often exceeds 80%, while in London, the average is around 70%, making extra drying time and airflow critical.

What Does Mould on Clothes Look and Smell Like?

Mould leaves grey, green, or black specks on fabric, often in clusters. The smell is the giveaway: a musty, earthy odour that lingers even after washing.

If you notice:

• Clothes are taking longer than usual to dry, or
• A stale smell inside cupboards,

you’re likely dealing with early-stage mould spores. It’s time to act fast.

Why Mould is a Bigger Problem Than You Think

Beyond the unpleasant smell and stains, mould can:

• Weaken fabric fibres, especially in natural materials like cotton and linen
• Cause skin irritation or allergies
• Spread quickly through shared wardrobes or laundry loads

It was found that mould spores can survive washing cycles up to 40°C, meaning your next laundry load might be spreading the problem instead of solving it.

How to Remove Mould from Clothes Safely

You can often save mouldy clothes with the right cleaning method. Here’s how:

1. Brush off visible mould outdoors. Do this outside to prevent spores from spreading indoors.
2. Soak in white vinegar or baking soda
   • Mix one cup of white vinegar in a bucket of hot water and soak for an hour.
   • Alternatively, add half a cup of baking soda to the washing machine drum.
3. Wash with hot water (check care labels). For cottons and linens, use 60°C or higher if safe. For delicate fabrics, stick to warm cycles.
4. Sun-dry if possible. Sunlight is a natural mould killer. If outdoor drying isn’t possible, use a dehumidifier or tumble dryer.
5. Repeat if odour persists. Mould stains may fade after one wash, but smells sometimes need a second round.

Preventing Mould in Clothes in Humid Climates

Prevention is easier (and cheaper) than rescue. Here are tested ways to stop mould before it starts:

Country/Region	Common Humidity Level	Proven Mould Prevention Habit
UK	70% avg	Use heated airers or dehumidifiers to dry indoors faster.
Singapore	80–90%	Install wardrobe moisture absorbers and dry clothes fully before storing.
UAE	60–80%	Avoid drying clothes indoors during summer months; use A/C or tumble dryers.
US (Southeast)	75–85%	Run ceiling fans or dryers immediately after washing.
Ireland / Netherlands	70–80%	Leave wardrobe doors open periodically for air circulation.

Wardrobe Tips: Keeping Clothes Mould-Free All Year

• Never store clothes while slightly damp, even if they “feel” dry.
• Rotate your wardrobe—wear or air out clothes that haven’t been used in a while.
• Add silica gel packs or moisture absorbers in closets.
• Leave a gap between the wardrobe and the wall to let air circulate.
• Keep your washing machine door open after every cycle to prevent mould inside the drum.

Professional Laundry: The Hassle-Free Mould Prevention Strategy

Sometimes, the issue isn’t about poor laundry habits, it’s about time. A damp towel left for two days can start to smell, and humid homes make drying even slower.

That’s where a professional laundry service like Laundryheap helps:

• Your clothes are collected, cleaned, and delivered within 24 hours.
• Industrial drying ensures clothes are fully moisture-free before folding.
• Each item is returned fresh, sanitised, and ready to wear. No more half-dry corners of laundry rooms.

Whether you’re in London, Dubai, Singapore, or Los Angeles, Laundryheap helps you stay ahead of the humidity curve.

Eco-Friendly Bonus: Dry Without Damage

Many worry that frequent tumble drying damages clothes. That’s true for high heat, but modern professional dryers use sensor technology to stop when moisture levels reach safe limits—preserving fibres while killing hidden mould spores.

When to Replace Mouldy Clothes

Even with the best efforts, some clothes can’t be saved.
Replace items if:

• Stains remain after multiple washes
• The smell returns quickly
• The fabric feels weakened or discoloured

It’s better to replace one piece than risk mould spreading to an entire wardrobe.

Final Thoughts

Mould in clothes is preventable with the right balance of airflow, drying, and care. Whether you live in a humid coastal city or a damp flat, the key is never letting moisture linger.

If laundry day feels never-ending, book a pickup at Laundryheap.com and let professionals handle it. You’ll get clean, perfectly dried, mould-free clothes—without lifting a finger.

Quick Recap Table: Mould Prevention Essentials

Step	Action	Why It Helps
Dry immediately after washing	Use sunlight, dryers, or dehumidifiers	Stops mould from forming
Keep wardrobe ventilated	Air out weekly	Prevents trapped humidity
Use moisture absorbers	Silica gel, wardrobe dehumidifiers	Reduces spores
Wash with vinegar occasionally	Add one cup to cycle	Kills hidden spores
Professional laundry	Fully dried, sanitised return	Long-term mould prevention