- 1). Take the mildewed cotton outside and brush the mildewed area with a brush. Brush briskly in each direction to help remove the mildew from the cotton fibers.
- 2). Pour liquid soap directly on the mildewed areas of the cotton, and let the item sit in the sink or bathtub for half an hour before laundering.
- 3). Set the washer at the highest temperature possible. Hot water works best for cleaning mildew stains. Add heavy-duty detergent.
- 4). Add the recommended amount of bleach for your washer and the size of the wash load, plus 1/4 cup more. Do this only if the mildewed cotton item will tolerate bleach. Add the bleach to the washer's bleach receptacle, or add it as the washer fills so the bleach distributes evenly.
- 5). Use the washer's pre-soak cycle, if available; otherwise, stop the wash cycle, put the mildewed cotton items in the washer and leave them to soak for 15 minutes. Start the washer and run it on the longest cycle, such as the setting for heavily soiled garments.
- 6). Check the mildewed areas while the items are still wet. If there are still signs of mildew stains, repeat Steps 1 through 4. Do not dry the items until you remove the stain completely.
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