"Cleaning" or otherwise removing Mold from Groundcloth

[guad42]

Mods, I thought this was the best place for this thread, but maybe the "sinks"?

Back story: Attended an event last month with our splendid company. Night and morning moisture made many things a muddy wet mess, including both of the ground cloths I carry - my "King of Prussia" as my Captain calls it (a red and black painted cloth) and a smaller ground cloth.

Despite best attempts to air dry on the last morning and in the day following, the feared little black smudges have appeared. Mostly on the smaller cloth - which is a pain to clean anyway as its so heavily oiled that it bleeds at times and attracts every strand of hay or grass around and right about now looks like an adobe wall.

Has anyone had issues with keeping mold from their cloths and how can it be removed? I wonder how much of a problem it was back in the day.

-Sam Dolan

[Brandon Ledvina]

Re: "Cleaning" or otherwise removing Mold from Groundcloth

I’ve never had the problem but I hear vinegar works the best for mold. It may smell for a while but its better than shelling out money for a new item.

[guad42]

Re: "Cleaning" or otherwise removing Mold from Groundcloth

Brandon,
Thanks for the tip. I'll give that a try and allow for a lot of airing out afterwards.

-Sam Dolan

[Edwin Carl Erwin]

Re: "Cleaning" or otherwise removing Mold from Groundcloth

Has anyone had issues with keeping mold from their cloths and how can it be removed?

Cast an eye on these resources for mold removal:

https://www.moldblogger.com/how-to-remove-mold-and-the-smell-from-clothing/

https://www.blackmold.awardspace.com/black-mold-clothes.html

http://www.moldinspector.com/clothes_mold.htm

http://www.moldnmildewremoval.com/

[Spinster]

Re: "Cleaning" or otherwise removing Mold from Groundcloth

I'm assuming you have a correctly made ground cloth, finished with tasty tasty linseed oil (at least to the mold).

White vinegar, near to soaking, a good scrub and a hot sunny day will go a long way. If it's really embedded in the oil give it another dose. A separate scrub with a good detergent, bleach and a broom before the sunshine treatment helps.

Now, if all else fails and this thing continues to aggressively grow mold-----wash it in the washing machine with bleach and hot water. Run a hot rinse, and dry in a hot room with good air circulation. This will remove part of the linseed oil and make the paint look worn. You will need to recoat with boiled linseed oil.

[guad42]

Re: "Cleaning" or otherwise removing Mold from Groundcloth

Thanks for all the advice. For the most part the mold spots are on the underside of the cloth, or less oiled areas. Perhaps vigorous scrubbing with vinegar and a good brush is the best way to start.

-Sam Dolan