Eww! Mildew!

[MacHete]

OK, I've got a bunch of gear that had been stored in a leaky garage several years ago. I'm sorting through it now and (no surprise) it's kinda funky and mildewy.

What is/are the best way/ways to clean this crap up? Pretty much everything needing cleaning is nylon- packs, duffles, stuff sacks and organizers- but there may also be some vinyl drybags and leather trim that needs attention as well. What can I use that will not damage the materials?

If anything can be done, my priorities are:

1) Negate adverse health risks by neutralizing the nasties.
2) Eliminate offensive odors. :barf: (I'm guessing #1 should take care of that.)
3) Remove or reduce unsightly stains.

Is anything even salvagable? Should I just chuck it all- or maybe have a deeply-discounted yard sale?

 

[Joezilla]

hmm, you may want to try mean green, diluted. I used to use that on my jeep top all the time and it naturally took off some funky junk. Take a look at the bottle

 

[BA_Colt]

Lemon juice and salt will take out the mold and rust stains.

 

[gravydan]

For the items that this would work for...

outside, generously cover in baking soda.... let stand for hours then vacuum... repeat if necessary

Unfortunately, getting 'that' smell entirely out is next to impossible quickly...

 

[ejes]

I'd try 20 Mule Team Borax in water mixed with a little white vinegar.

 

[mdauben]

Simply wiping down with bleach diluted with water will quickly and easily take out mildew in anything plastic, nylon, or vinyl, leaving it clean an no longer smelling.

Anything made out of leather or natural fibers will probably be spotted or bleached out by that treatment. It probably won't do any actual damage to the material (as lone as it is dilute and rinsed out good) but it's probably a last resort for those materials.

 

[mogwai]

I've also used rubbing alcohol

 

[kvaughn]

A box of baking soda, a large bottle of hydrogen peroxide, dish soap and water to make it all syruppy or a little thinner. Scrub with this and a brush. Let sit a few minutes and rinse. If it will take the skunk smell out of my dumbass Lab it will work on anything--KV

 

[ADD]

After whatever cleaning you do, direct sunshine and plenty of it.

 

[6749]

i'm not sure if it will hurt leather, but i bought some spray on dry cleaner stuff that i use on an oldsmobile interior. it was furry when i got it, seat belts, dash, aphosterly(sp)etc. it worked great and it didn't come back.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Except for the leather. I would simply wash with enzyme detergent (Tide; ERA). Let them soak before agitation. Rinse twice. I have had good luck with mildewed items using that treatment. Strong sun will for sure kill the mildew, but I take it you want more than that.

Any milspec practices for mildewed boots?