If I remember right, washing clothes with 2 cups of ammonia per load is believed to take care of the mold in clothing.
I am wondering if this is still true if delicate wash is needed, as some clothing requires. Can anyone comment on this. They'd still get all that soaking in the ammonia water if that's the important part. But, less vigorous movement if that's important...
Posted by surprise (Member # 34987) on :
Our mold inspector told me to wash everything in Borax detergent -
Posted by girl (Member # 18022) on :
Michael, I don't know as I've never washed the clothes in ammonia, but I would think that gentle vs. regular swishing/agitation wouldn't matter. I might let it soak in the ammonia a bit longer though because I think the gentle cycle IS a bit shorter, if you will.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Ammonia is EXTREMELY toxic. We should never be around that, not even have a bottle under the sink as fumes can escape.
Please stay safe and stay away from ammonia. The fumes can cause liver damage, and much more.
It's also toxic to the fish and wildlife that rely on the water that this will be sent into. If it goes back into the town's water supply, also bad. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- GSE, grapefruit seed extract or other citrus based products can really help clobber mold.
BIOKLEEN and SEVENTH GENERATION products contain GSE &/or similar citrus agents.
Still, as I recall, a speaker at the last two ILADS confernces stated, if someone has serious MCS (multiple chemical sensitivies), sometimes, all clothes (even textile covered furniture) may need to be discarded. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
(She is NOT A LLMD, however, she understands the kind of toxicity issues faced by many with lyme. She did not have lyme but overcame very serious MCS. She spoke at the 2011 & 2012 annual ILADS conferences.)
Not necessarily particular enough for those with MCS but a place to start for SAFE home products:
Environmental Illness Resource -
Posted by girl (Member # 18022) on :
Seeing how mold can CAUSE MCS, I would do whatever you've got to do to MAKE SURE you clean the clothes adequately. You've got to use a LOT of GSE to even make *any* difference in a load of laundry and I'm afraid it just isn't going to cut it where TOXIC mold is concerned.
Just my opinion but I wanted to state that for any newcomers that come along and think that GSE or 7th Generation is going to take care of their problem. It might work if you wash the load, say five times, but personally, I don't think it's going to do the job adequately.
Posted by girl (Member # 18022) on :
(in just one wash).
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
IMO and from what I have read, Ammonia vs. Bleach is more effective at killing mold.
Granted, both of these substances are toxic.
And FYI to everyone out there,
DO NOT USE CLEANING PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN BLEACH AND AMMONIA SIMULTANEOUSLY.....as breathing in the resultant fumes could send you to the ER.
That said, I stand guilty of using both products.
I use bleach when washing "whites" like underwear and towels.
And I use a little bit of ammonia when washing dark underwear and other "darks" that can't be disinfected otherwise.
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
Good point, girl. GSE and 7th Generation are "feel good" products IMO.
But when you need heavy hitters, you need heavy hitters.
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
Personally, strong smelling chemicals like this I can't be around at all.
Do you have a clothesline? After washing with something less toxic, maybe put out in strong sunlight as that also kills mold. Might fade things left out for days though.
Posted by ticksickfamily (Member # 22786) on :