How To Deal With Damp/Mouldy Clothes

[Scarlett]

I have had clothes in a bin bag in storage for over 10 years! I want to try and salvage them, but they are very smelly, and some have white fluffy mould on. I've just put some through the wash, but they still smell. It's a kind of musty/mouldy attic type smell. They are quite delicate so I don't want to wash them on a very hot or fast wash. Any ideas how I can stop the smell?!

[Buenchico]

Vinegar?
https://www.persil.com/uk/laundry/laundry-tips/fabrics/how-to-remove-mould-from-fabric.html

[pastafreak]

When that happened to a single pair of jeans of mine that had been stored for 2-3 years...I disposed of them. I was intending to add them to a charity donation but decided against it. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Baking soda...used dry...might help to draw odours out.

[Hopkirk]

10 years in a bin bag?

Chuck them away.

[Canary42]

Dry  Cleaner ?

[Prudie]

Sounds like classic mildew and buenchico's link is the best to try - white vinegar (although I agree with Hopkirk's approach).

[barry1010]

I'd chuck them out, too - and check your storage area for damp. 

[newmodarmy]

Do you want to donate them to charity shops or those cash4 clothes companies? Or are you hoping to wear or sell some.

I can't imagine why you'd want to wear something you haven't needed for 10 years; or who would want 10 year old clothes that haven't been well cared for.

Some supermarkets have clothes recycling hoppers outside.

[Scarlett]

I think it's because they are unusual items of clothes which have sentimental value! They don't even fit anymore. But they take me back to the time I wore them, when I was younger and happier!! But yes, I know I need to throw the majority away, I will probably just try and wash them, photograph them, so I have the memory of them!!

[andy-hughes]

Scarlett - // I will probably just try and wash them, photograph them, so I have the memory of them!! //

That sounds like the best option.

Old clothes that no longer fit are not souvenirs, they are clutter, and you should be able to make better use of the space for things you are wearing now.

I still keep a belt I last wore forty-five years ago, for sentimental reasons, but its space occuptation is minimal, and it makes me smile when I see it, and remember when I was thin enough to be able to wear it!