Clothes can get moldy and mildew-y in a number of ways. Flood damage is a prime cause of a serious problem.

If clothing has been stored in an attic, basement, closet, crawl space or other damp, musty location where excess moisture and mold spores abound, of if they've been closed up tight in a carton or suitcase with no ventilation, a mold problem can also easily develop.

If damp clothing -- especially if it's dirty and damp -- has been rolled in a ball, tossed in a bag, or left in any kind of closed space without air circulation and no way to dry out, conditions are ripe for fungi to start to grow.

How will you know if you've got a mold or mildew problem on your clothes?

1. A musty odor is a sure sign
2. Visible spots of fungal growth

Getting Rid of Clothing Mold

Depending on the extent of the contamination and the thickness of the material in question, there are two processes to follow.

For mild cases and normal clothes, you can simply wash the affected garments with a specially formulated cleaner. For serious cases or thicker materials, a wash with an EPA-registered fungicide that will kill spores and will kill the mold right down to its roots, may be advisable. Wool often requires special treatment.