How to remove mold from Gore-tex?

I’ve got a gore-tex hat that is pretty great for rainy day fishing. Unfortunately, I left it outside for a while and it got quite a bit of mold. I’ve tried cleaning it following the recommendations online but it still has lots of mold stains on it. Is it possible to completely remove the mold and will it still function as it should? Any help would be appreciated!

Call the manufacturer.  If anyone knows, they will.

Call the manufacturer.  If anyone knows, they will.

👍+1

Call the manufacturer.  If anyone knows, they will.

Yes, will do on Monday. But just wondering if anybody has experience, as the care instructions online are pretty generic and have been of no help so far.

Brainstorming...diluted bleach to kill...and fabric dye to cover?

Brainstorming...diluted bleach to kill...and fabric dye to cover?

Thought about that, but they say that bleach is a no-no on gore-tex. I tried 50-50 mix of white vinegar and water and soaked it overnight. That got rid of some of it, but a lot of places it seems to have grown thru.

Leave it .. adds character , fish dont care about mold , besides if you wear on sunny days sunlight will fade it out

Also got a ton of mold on my PFD (also due to improper storage), and that's my plan for it---clean up as best I can, then live with it. But, the gore-tex is a different matter, since they say mold can ruin it. Kinda makes sense that mold would at least make it less effective...

https://www.backcountry.com/outdoor-research-seattle-sombrero?

Leave it .. adds character , fish dont care about mold , besides if you wear on sunny days sunlight will fade it out

Also got a ton of mold on my PFD (also due to improper storage), and that's my plan for it---clean up as best I can, then live with it. But, the gore-tex is a different matter, since they say mold can ruin it. Kinda makes sense that mold would at least make it less effective...

 yeah on the PFD , another story , that`s why I built a PVC dry rack rinse and hang   

My PFDs were moldy too this year.  Sprayed them with Lysol, seems to work ok

https://www.backcountry.com/outdoor-research-seattle-sombrero?

I've got a slightly different model--this one:

https://www.backcountry.com/outdoor-research-seattle-sun-sombrero?

It's a great cool/wet weather hat.

When I was young I ruined some outdoor gear by leaving it wet.  After a couple of expensive lessons, one involving a North Face VE-24 mountaineering tent, I got religious about hanging up all my gear to dry as soon as I get home, if not sooner.  Once gear gets damaged by mildew, it stinks and doesn't work as well.  Prevention is the way to avoid damaging gear with mildew. 

https://www.backcountry.com/outdoor-research-seattle-sombrero?

I've got a slightly different model--this one:

https://www.backcountry.com/outdoor-research-seattle-sun-sombrero?

It's a great cool/wet weather hat.

Well suck it up as a learning experience and order another one, keep that one nailed to the wall above your kayak as a reminder to dry your gear!

https://www.backcountry.com/outdoor-research-seattle-sombrero?

I've got a slightly different model--this one:

https://www.backcountry.com/outdoor-research-seattle-sun-sombrero?

It's a great cool/wet weather hat.

Well suck it up as a learning experience and order another one, keep that one nailed to the wall above your kayak as a reminder to dry your gear!

Funny thing is that I'm obsessive about cleaning up my gear immediately after every outing. The problem is that after my last trip of the year, I thought I'd put everything away, but actually forgot a few important items were left laying on the kayak. It's protected from the sun and weather, but I guess the humidity sent the mold into hyperactive hyperdrive.

It gets worse, as one of the things I forgot was my expensive Kokatat (gore-tex) paddling suit. I contacted Kokatat, and they say that mold won't hurt the performance, which is good to know.

They suggest machine washing and if that doesn't work, scrubbing with dish soap (no bleach, as that could ruin it). I washed it and I've scrubbed it until my arm is about to fall off, but there are still a ton of moldy stains. What a bummer...

How to Remove Mold From A Gore-Tex Jacket

https://www.hunker.com/13422861/how-to-remove-mold-from-a-gore-tex-jacket