My stuffed animals from childhood were taken over by black mold.

Dear George,

My stuffed animals from childhood were taken over by black mold. Can they be saved/cleaned? Thanks in advance for your help!

Gina

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Dear Gina,

If your keepsakes are cellulosics (made with plant-derived fibers that contain cellulose) like cotton, hemp, or even rayon, mold will naturally begin to disintegrate the material’s cellulose.

With that in mind, and assuming the treasures are washable, it may be better to only soak–rather that machine wash–in water with chlorine or oxygen bleach. The bleach will, hopefully, remove most mold and will sanitize the items. Be certain to make sure the stuffing is dried thoroughly.

If your task is successful, it is important to be aware that natural fibers are hygroscopic—they absorb water or moisture very quickly. It is recommended that your storage area be dry with a relative humidity of 30 to 50%.

If you have a concern as to why the mold formed, you can schedule a professional mold inspection (also referred to as a mold assessment) by Bye Bye Mold™ at 1.800.686.1992 or you can e-mail us via our user-friendly contact form.