Mildew On Cotton

[rosyposy]

I have found eight lovely cotton pillowcases in a case I'd forgotten about in the loft but unfortunately they are speckled with orangey marks. Can anyone suggest the best way to try and get rid of the marks, a couple of them are embroidered in coloured silks so I couldn't use bleach on those which is the only thing I can think of. All suggestions gratefully received, they are so pretty and belonged to my grandmother -such a shame

[Old_Geezer]

Oh wow. Best of luck. I shall be popping back to here to see if there is an answer, but I'd be pessimistic.

[gingejbee]

Orange marks on cotton are usually caused by iron mould....there are commercial solutions available....but I've had very good results using a solution of citric acid crystals in warm water applied to the spots, left and rinsed. You can get citric acid on ebay cheaply...or some chemists sell it too.

[EcclesCake]

Citric Acid is available from many Asian grocers.

[gingejbee]

....and bleach wouldn't work and may make the marks permanent!

[gness]

Rosy....the only thing I can think of if you can't remove the marks safely... is some delicate embroidery over the marks...could that work?...x

[vakayu]

The old solution used to be soak in milk to remove then launder as usual or there are proprietary brands for mould and mildew removal.

[rosyposy]

Thank you all for such good suggestions, I will have a look for citric acid and I will try the milk on one of them first vakayu, glad I didn't use bleach before I asked, gingejbee and I'm afraid the marks are too numerous to embroider gness, (Even if I could, which I can't :0( ) Thanks everyone again -rosy

[Old_Geezer]

Let us know how it goes !

[janbee]

As far as I know there is nothing that will eliminate this problem. I'll be interested to know if anyone can suggest something though.

[ubasses]

Try Stain Devils No , been told it works well on iron mould

[ubasses]

that should read No.7

[gingejbee]

I'd be very surprised if No.7 worked on iron mould...it's for greasy, waxy stains. Iron mould needs an acidic solution to dissolve iron compounds.

[gingejbee]

If you want to try Stain Devils...it's No. 9 you want...contains both citric and oxalic acids and specified for "rust stains and deodorant stains".

[rosyposy]

I think that Stain Devils 9 sounds more hopeful gingejbee, thank you, I will get some next time I'm out. Milk not working so far but it has only been three hours so I will leave it overnight but not too hopeful :0( Thanks again -rosy

[maggiebee]

When I was at school a hundred years ago we used Salts of Sorrel rubbed into the marks then washed out.

[gingejbee]

maggie: I think that "salts of sorrel" is oxalic acid...

[rosyposy]

Update-my neighbour gave me some Mould Remover spray (W5 from Lidl) and, touch wood, it seems to have helped. I sprayed the mould quite generously then put the case back in the milk and left it for a few hours. The marks are quite faint and I will be able to use the pillowcases now. I did say that they were 'speckled' tho', so not sure if that would work on heavier stains but definately worth a try. Thank you all for your kind replies, signed 'one very happy bunny' :0)