I couldn’t resist sharing this with you guys!
The reader I have been corresponding with about treating “Dry Clean Only” clothing for mold recently wrote in with her own cleaning for mold experiment with a recently purchased designer vest. She wrote:
Hi, Catherine,
More good news! I couldn’t resist this article of clothing, and as the instructions said, “Machine Washable,” I slipped off the tag and treated it. I did not HEPA vacuum it. (Note: In my post, I HEPA vacuumed the “Dry Clean Only” pants I was experimenting with. HERE is that post, if you are interested.) I would like to find a HEPA vacuum that is very appropriate for delicate fabric, any suggestions? Instead, I washed the vest and put EC3 Mold Solution Concentrate in the wash and rinse cycle. I did not dry on high heat. I will wash it again, but found the one treatment made it acceptable. (See my photos below of the mold test plates for the results.)
Feel free to use it on your site if you like.
Kris Lawler, ND
(Left plate) A TAP test reveals that the mold counts on the new vest are too numerous to count. (Right plate) TAP test results after washing the vest with EC3 Mold Solution Concentrate.
I love when products and techniques that I recommend to readers really come through and improve their lives. Anything that limits mold exposure and doesn’t increase toxic load is a win in my book.
And, if you are wondering what my reply was concerning the HEPA vacuum, here it is:
Hi, Kris,
That is awesome! I would love to share this on the blog. I am sure people will find this very helpful. I actually just posted our previous correspondence about “dry cleaning” for mold with the pictures today.
Thank you so much for sending this along to me. As for the HEPA vacuum, I recommend Miele cannister vacuums with HEPA filtration and Oreck also makes a great canister vacuum with HEPA bags. The bagless vacuums are not as good, because the particulates and dust are not as contained. For example, when you have to empty the repository, you risk coming into contact with irritating dust and mold, or worse, putting that dust and mold back into the environmental air. With vacuums with HEPA bags, you just remove the bag and toss it. The most important thing is to use the proper attachments. I use the upholstery attachment or the soft brush nozzle attachments. I haven’t had any issues with the suction being too rough on my clothing when these attachments are used.
When you cannot actually submerge something to wash it, HEPA vacuuming is vital, because it removes the dust and lint that the mold spores become trapped in. This is true for wool especially, because wool fibers, when they become loose and get airborne are very inflammatory to breathe in for lots of mold sufferers.
Thanks, again, for all of this wonderful information!
Catherine
Do you use any of the EC3 products? If so, which ones? Have you done any cleaning for mold experiments of your own? If you would like to try any of the EC3 products, use the code “NewCustomer” (case sensitive) at checkout for 10% off of your order.
Also, don’t forget to take my Reader Survey! I am giving away EC3 products to the first people who complete it for me.
