'My £160 jacket was ruined by mould - but a simple fix made it good as new'

Discovering your treasured possessions covered in mould after storing them away can be a truly disheartening experience.

This was the unfortunate reality for one TikTok user who retrieved their cherished Carhartt cord jacket, only to find it "covered in mould". The distressing discovery prompted an overlay text on their video: "POV: You go to find your $200 (£160) winter jacket in your closet, and it's covered in mould".

However, instead of discarding the jacket, Melissa Pateras took to the platform to demonstrate how to restore the item to its former glory with a simple process. Melissa addressed the white mould stains, advising, "Okay, that's mould, and here's what I would do". She suggested beginning with a "mould control spray" suitable for fabric use.

READ MORE: 'I went to world-famous spa coming to Manchester – there are things you should know'

It's crucial to read the instructions carefully before applying any product to clothing. She then advised,:"Next, you wanna wash it on the hottest temperature that the jacket will allow". In her cleaning tip, Melissa recommended adding "quarter to half a cup of Borax" to the wash.

However, for UK residents, where Borax is not available, baking soda can be used as an alternative, placing it "directly into the drum" of the washing machine. Then, you "want to add some white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment", and then you should "wash it with a quality detergent". She emphasised the necessity of using a high-quality detergent.

Melissa went on to outline the "general rule" for laundering jackets, stating that it's typically done "as needed". Nonetheless, she insists that you "should be washing it at least once a year before you put it away for the season" in hopes