# Laundry Advice Needed...please?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [September 13, 2002, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302 "2002-09-13T15:41:57Z")
**Posts on this page:** 15
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Granuaile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Granuaile)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2002, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302/1 "2002-09-13T15:41:57Z")
As I was cleaning my trunk out this morning, I found an unfamiliar plastic bag. Upon closer inspection I recognized the pattern of my daughter’s gorgeous blue, Madras plaid sundress. With a big ol’ **mildew stain** down the front! The dress has been stewing in a plastic bag, in the trunk, with temps. in the low 80’s, for the past week.
:mad: :mad: :mad:
Any suggestions, please?
BTW: The dress is cotton and was in the bag due to food stains from last Sunday’s outing. The dress was still damp upon removal from the bag and is now soaking in some water with baking soda in. It may be a hand-me-down but I have plenty of pictures of both my eldest and youngest daughter wearing it. So it is kind of sentimental.☹
Thanks in advance,
G.
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### Author:  [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2002, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302/2 "2002-09-13T15:46:47Z")
color fast bleach, according to directions
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### Author:  [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2002, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302/3 "2002-09-13T16:31:55Z")
I don’t think anyone takes out mildew stains. I’d try the above and perhaps spot-treat with Shout or similar enzyme cleaner. Be prepared for defeat.
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### Author:  [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2002, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302/4 "2002-09-13T16:46:07Z")
A paste of borax and vinegar.
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### Author:  [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2002, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302/5 "2002-09-13T16:47:53Z")
Zout is better than Shout.
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### Author:  [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2002, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302/6 "2002-09-13T18:49:50Z")
Sunlight and dry air, with an emphasis on the sunlight, goes a long way towards killing off mildew and removing the smell (it also helps with the discoloration). Your first step should be to hang the dress outside on a sunny day for as long as possible, maybe for a few days.
As far as cleaning products go, I’ve had really phenomenal luck with OxyClean. Much as I hate the infomercial, the product really does work-- it’s gotten rid of stains I thought would never come out, and it hasn’t harmed the original color (on clothes, carpet and upholstery, so far). Give it a shot. Soak the dress in water & OxyClean for a few hours and then wash.
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### Author:  [@Scotticher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotticher)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2002, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302/7 "2002-09-13T19:51:46Z")
I’m in complete agreement with both sunlight and OxyClean. Hang it outside in the sun for a few days and then soak it in OxyClean/water for a day.
OC works best on organic stains and messes. I also use it to clean my toilet (well, I guess that is an organic mess 😃 )…just put a scoop in and let it sit for an hour or so. What doesn’t dissolve is easily removed with the toilet brush.
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### Author:  [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2002, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302/8 "2002-09-14T16:21:17Z")
Where does one purchase this magical substance Oxy-Clean? Many stains have I…
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### Author:  [@Witch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Witch)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2002, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302/9 "2002-09-14T16:31:40Z")
I’ve seen it at Walmart…
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### Author:  [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2002, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302/10 "2002-09-14T17:21:48Z")
I’m tellin’ ya, Zout kicks ass. Not 'spensive, either.
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### Author:  [@hunski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hunski)
#### Post date: [September 14, 2002, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302/11 "2002-09-14T23:23:54Z")
I have only tried OxyClean on grungy tile grout, it didn’t do a thing, I was highly disappointed.
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### Author:  [@Witch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Witch)
#### Post date: [September 15, 2002, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302/12 "2002-09-15T00:24:12Z")
Just purchased some oxyclean at my local Walmart this very evening. Going to see what is does with my laundry and some stains on my rug. Hope I didn’t waste 6.96.
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### Author:  [@Granuaile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Granuaile)
#### Post date: [September 15, 2002, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302/13 "2002-09-15T02:45:41Z")
I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. I knew the Dopers would come through for me!
I tried a combo of Oxy-clean & coloursafe bleach first. No real change.
I went to the store for ideas and came across a brand called Carbona. They have a collection of 9-10 little bottles for different types of stains. Fats and grease, ink, red wine, etc. The bottles have a list of stains and the corresponding formulation. I bought the bottle for mildew (#8 red wine) and followed the easy directions.
Hot D\*\*n! The dress is like new! Not a _trace_ of the big black stain. The store had a sale on them for $2 a bottle…I’m stocking up!
Thanks again guys,
G.
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### Author:  [@Granuaile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Granuaile)
#### Post date: [September 15, 2002, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302/14 "2002-09-15T02:52:47Z")
BTW, I don’t work for /are affiliated with the Carbona co. I’m just excited that I finally came across a product that worked!
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### Author:  [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)
#### Post date: [September 15, 2002, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-needed-please/128302/15 "2002-09-15T06:59:57Z")
If all fails, try scissors.