# Mildew on Suit
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mildew-on-suit/954112
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 10, 2021, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mildew-on-suit/954112 "2021-11-10T11:09:14Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)
#### Post date: [November 10, 2021, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mildew-on-suit/954112/1 "2021-11-10T11:09:14Z")
So, I pulled my suit out of the closet to check it out, and it had some mildew on it (inside the pants). I have had mold and mildew problems before (that will be another thread), and had some mold killer, and sprayed the areas with that.
Should I have it dry cleaned? I have read conflicting reports of dry cleaning killing mold and mildew. I would like to be sure its gone.
I also have a western style oilskin jacket like this [Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Fox-Fire-Oilcloth-Waterproof-Australian/dp/B013GYSL84/ref=asc_df_B013GYSL84/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312786695978&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8688739509415525099&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007130&hvtargid=pla-570972636225&psc=1) that had heavy mold in the past. I scrubbed that off, but mildew keeps coming back. I understand dry cleaning will remove its waterproofing, but if it will also remove all the mold spores, I’ll take that.
Amy help would be great
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### Author:  [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)
#### Post date: [November 10, 2021, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mildew-on-suit/954112/2 "2021-11-10T13:17:51Z")
Based on my experience, I would recommend that you put the clothes (after brushing off the mildew) in question inside a plastic tote with some silica gel (1 lb or more) for a week. Close the tote as best as you could.
You can get silica gel from the kitty litter aisle at your favorite supermarket. Or you can buy this from Amazon: Ultra Micro Crystals Cat Litter 5 pounds [Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030HO67I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_0N6DBW3EA46YKH80TXPQ)
Installing a dehumidifier in your closet maybe the best option for the long run.
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [November 10, 2021, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mildew-on-suit/954112/3 "2021-11-10T13:31:19Z")
Title changed “om” → “on”
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### Author:  [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)
#### Post date: [November 10, 2021, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mildew-on-suit/954112/4 "2021-11-10T16:14:23Z")
My suggestion would be the professionals, i.e. dry cleaners.
The hard part is not every dry cleaning business knows what it’s doing.
Those that do know what they’re doing can take care of it. Do tell them what the issue is, and if there are special care that needs to be taken. If they are reputable, they’ll check anyway, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure.
And, as above, if this is a recurring issue, the closet itself may be an issue and the mold/mildew will just return.
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [November 10, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mildew-on-suit/954112/5 "2021-11-10T16:17:29Z")
My guess is that not every dry cleaner will know how to handle oilskin fabrics. It seems like a specialty thing.
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### Author:  [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)
#### Post date: [November 10, 2021, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mildew-on-suit/954112/6 "2021-11-10T16:27:03Z")
Yes, it can be. A reputable dry cleaners will know that, though, and tell you up front and even potentially tell you where you can go to have it treated.
My parents ran a dry cleaning business in a small town, and this was pretty standard for them. There were a few things they just wouldn’t do or would only try if the customer insisted after being told the risks. For specialty items, they’d tell you where you could go, which generally involved a trip to the nearest sizable city 50 miles away.
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### Author:  [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)
#### Post date: [November 11, 2021, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mildew-on-suit/954112/7 "2021-11-11T23:50:35Z")
Thanks for the replies. Yes, it is a recurring with this closet. And I actually have this: [https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H0XFCS/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o09\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H0XFCS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) in the closet.