Soiling of Clothing with Fungi (Part 1)

Fungus Stains on Fiber and How to Remove Them

Abstract

Several kinds of fungi isolated from the air were cultivated on fabrics and their growth and way of making spots were observed. Then the method of removing the spots was studied. It was found that silk and wool were stained with water soluble colored products of fungi, in a similar way to dyes. When colored hyphae grew only on the surface of fabric, we could remove them rather easily. However, when inner parts of fabrics were infested by fungi, especially by fiber digestible fungi, the fabrics were apt to be deteriorated by removing the spot.