Cleaning a mouldy smelling pvc waterproof jkt??

[steve75]

Along with some boots and trousers I have just took delivery of some ex army dpvc waterproof. I ordered them from British military surplus. All the kit arrived in excellent condition. My only concern is the waterproof jacket. Inside around the collar and shoulder area it has some mouldy growth. Checking the pockets as i always do if i buy surplus kit i found a naffi recipt from 1996. I am guessing the jacket has been in storage since not long after. I have gave it a quick hand wash and let it drip dry over night but it still smells mouldy. Any suggestions?

 

[brozier]

If it's not a goretex jacket I'd machine wash with a "Bio" detergent.

Does it have washing instructions? Hottest wash it can take would help to.

Cheers

 

[steve75]

Oh dear no replies yet. Surely someone on here has a suggestion.

 

[jiffi]

Give it a good hand wash in soap flakes especially in the mouldy areas you can even use a soft brush to try and hunt the mould out!

 

[Bowlander]

I'd go for kill or cure and scrub the mouldy bits with weak bleach solution then wash it in soap flakes then tx direct.

 

[mountainm]

Soak it in milton - should kill any mould. Test a bit first on the underside of a collar or cuff.

 

[Miyagi]

Wear it inside out.

You can if you want to, I wouldny, mould grows in damp areas (bathrooms, athletes foot - you get the picture).

Scrub with detergent, rinse, air dry. Scrub with vinegar, air dry no rinsing.

Mould is organic and will cling like CS gas, so keep it dry and aired.

Febreeze might help...


Liam

 

[peaks]

Some of these could be used on clothing:
http://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/stories/kill-mold-naturally-5-eco-friendly-ideas

 

[Miyagi]

Some of these could be used on clothing:
http://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/stories/kill-mold-naturally-5-eco-friendly-ideas

As long as it isn't Amway...


Liam

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Let it soak in warm soapy water for several hours, scrub it, you can add a little bleach at this point just before removing it from the water, spin it if you can, then hang it outside to dry, preferably in the sun as this will kill any fungal spores ( I'm assuming it's mildew). If when dry it still smells mouldy I think the fabric has probably been too badly damaged by the fungus.

 

[sandbender]

Milton or perhaps a vinegar and soap mix.

 

[steve75]

Thanks for the replies. Going to try white vinegar. Will report back on how it performs.

 

[steve75]

Not happy. The jacket has been washed, wiped down with white vinegar and also soaked overnight in mild bleach. Still has a mouldy smell. Have emailed the surplus site saying its nite fit for use but had no reply.

 

[swotty]

What about trying bicarbonate of soda?
Neutralises smell of mould in fridges etc......might be worth a try?

 

[steve75]

Tried soda it was mixed with the vinegar. May try again with stronger soda solution and leave it on oversight in the garage.

 

[mountainm]

Mixing vinegar and bicarbonate will neutralise the benefit of both?

 

[swotty]

Mixing vinegar and bicarbonate will neutralise the benefit of both?

I think you're right......

 

[Perrari]

What about this stuff ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/McNett-Mi...20876825162?pt=UK_Surfing&hash=item1c24d1fa4a

I used some before on an old bivi bag & it worked really well. Otherwise wash it with plenty of washing powder & reproof it if you have to.

 

[rik_uk3]

Soak it in a bath of warm water and washing powder. Rinse and a shallow soak in warm water and a bit of bleach (milton is pretty much only bleach) for an hour. Rinse in clean water and hang to dry.

 

[Retired Member southey]

I would honestly say that you will imo never get rid of that smell.