Karen asked: How do I remove ringworm fungus from carpet and other fabrics? Thank you!
Table of Contents:
When ringworm fungus enters your home, classroom or daycare center, every precaution and cleaning measure needs to be taken to stop it from spreading. Ringworm is a fungus that requires a warm, moist environment to grow. Spores can be difficult to remove once they have been spread. The good news is that without a “host,” the ringworm will not live for long. So cleaning these areas is a good precaution, but is not required to stop the spread. It is more likely that people will catch it from coming in contact with a pet or another person who has ringworm.
Removing Ringworm Fungus from Clothing
You Will Need:
- Laundry detergent
- Antifungal spray
- Washing machine
Steps to Remove the Fungus:
- Another precautionary step, though not completely necessary is to spray the affected piece with anti-fungal spray. Sprays that are used to kill other fungi, such as athlete’s foot would work.
- Allow it to set on the clothing for a few hours to penetrate the spores and kill them.
- Then launder as usual. Even washing without anti-fungal spray should still kill the spores. If the garment can tolerate hot water that is best.
- Fill the washing machine as normal with laundry detergent, water and clothing.
- Allow the cycle to run for a few minutes to disperse the soap throughout the water and clothing.
- Stop the washing machine and allow the items to soak. The detergent will break down the spores.
- Continue the cycle and dry as normal.
Removing Ringworm Fungus from Carpet
You Will Need:
- Anti-fungal spray (All Stop makes a carpet cleaner)
- Carpet cleaner/steamer
Steps to Remove the Fungus:
- Although it seems that soft carpeting would make a great host for ring worm fungus, remember that ring worm also requires moisture. It is not likely that the spores will thrive on the carpet because there is no moisture to support them.
- If you wish to clean your carpet, begin by spraying it with an anti-fungal spray.
- Next, fill the carpet cleaner/steamer with hot water and clean the entire area. Both the spray and the hot water will help to kill and remove the spores. Carpet shampoo can also be added for additional cleaning power.
- Clean the carpet as normal and allow it to dry completely.
- It is also possible to have the fungus removed by having a professional clean the carpets. Be sure to tell them that you are trying to remove the fungus, so they can use the appropriate products.
Removing Ringworm Fungus from Hard Surfaces
You Will Need:
- Anti-fungal spray (Ex: Lysol or All Stop)
- Paper towels
- Rubber gloves
Steps to Remove the Fungus:
- Spores have even less chance of surviving on a hard surface, so focus on the areas that are used and touched most often.
- Protect your hands with rubber gloves.
- Spray the surface with an anti-bacterial/anti-fungal spray.
- Wipe the area clean with a paper towel.
Additional Tips and Advice
- To stop ringworm from spreading, keep it covered completely with the topical ointment and a band aid until it is gone. Treat any new areas immediately and watch for other signs of exposure.
- Pets can also carry ringworm and their areas will need to be treated as well. Avoid over-handling pets that have been effected.
- All Stop is a line of non-toxic products that are designed to remove the ring worm fungus. There are products designed for all areas of the home. The products can be purchased online and area available separately or as a complete kit.
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After searching the internet for days looking for some common sense approaches for cleaning to remove ringworm, this has been the most helpful. All the other sites I visited were gloom and doom, OMG you are going to have ringworm in your house forever unless you bleach EVERYTHING. I finally had the idea of spraying fabrics with the anti-fungal spray myself (I bought some cheap stuff at Walmart). It’s a bummer to get it, but it’s not the end of the world.
I agree with Jackie. Everything I read and one vet I’ve talked to, you’d think we had Agent Orange in the house. Maybe I’m just finding what I want to find, but it’s nice to read something that’s not all gloom and doom. I’ll start testing this today!
Ringworm has bugged me for a long time. I used to get it mostly on my legs and there was one cream called Tadheen, which I used. It was really effective. It is found in Hyderabad, India. There are other things which can also be used, but that was most effective for me.
Yes, this article is a welcome relief in its common sense approach.
My cat seems to have ringworm and my vet charged me about $65 to get it cultured – and it takes up to 30 days to get the results! Meanwhile, I’m trying to adopt a kitten and can’t take the new cat since I’ll just expose it to the ringworm. The rescuer who has the kitten says that she’s experienced this before and it’s not the end of the world that the veterinarians try to make it out to be. In fact, you just treat the kitten and it will be cured before that culture comes back. She made a few phone calls and told me to get a new product called Vetericyn. It’s as safe as water, but kills most bacteria, fungi and viruses (including MRSA, e. coli, salmonella, strep, staph, etc.). You can use it on the pet and it won’t hurt if it gets in their eyes or mouth. You can sanitize litter boxes, etc. as well. The product is not cheap, but online Petco seems to have the best price.
Where can I find some anti-fungal laundry soap? Can I just wash clothes and sheets with Lysol?
Denise, I’m not sure where your vet sends samples, but general ringworm diagnosis is 30 days at the worst! I work in a lab that deals with ringworm from animals almost daily and, generally speaking, a KOH should show it if the vet has taken a good sample. The KOH is usually read within two days with the culture taking longer. KOH should be sufficient to tell if it is ringworm or not.
My son has ringworm from kindergarten (which isn’t uncommon apparently), so while I know how I work to keep it away from me at work, it’s a different kettle of fish when they’re out in the big world with kids! I was planning on taking some hospital-grade disinfectant from work to clean everything so my pets aren’t exposed to it. Since all of my animals are completely indoors, it’s highly unlikely that they’ve passed it on. They’re all over six years old and nobody has ever had an issue.
Great info, glad to finally come across a non-gloomy site about getting rid of ringworm. This my first issue with it; my kitten came home from the vet with it and now my adult cat has it. no one else has it yet, and I am hoping it stays that way.
I took my adopted kitten to the vet and he said he didn’t have ringworm. Brought him home and YEP me my grand-kids and everyone else have ringworm. Frustrating! Well after three months of fighting it we decided we were all going to get the pill and get this over with. Took my first one today. Left the dog and kitten easier than it is us. Glad to know I don’t really have to worry too much about surfaces. Got to remember to use this internet for answers more often! I am old and don’t remember it as a resource of information.
Chuzzy, what pill are you taking?
My dog was diagnosed with ringworm, so they think – they weren’t 100% positive. They gave me a shampoo to use, so of course I used it once I got it. My question is: I’ve shampooed the carpets and cleaned all blankets, and he’s just a puppy so he lays everywhere – do I need to wash all blankets everyday? He’s had this for a couple weeks and infected the whole apartment. Any suggestions will be helpful!
I tried all of this and still have the ring worm fungi. It seems that when one area on one of the family is cured, it pops up somewhere else. I can’t burn the house down and kill all the humans and animals living there. I am beginning to think that ringworm is a plague that I am never going to get rid of.
Like Chuzzy, I adopted a kitten and took it to the vet where they did not catch it. A few days later, my boyfriend and I went out of town. While we were gone, I noticed a few itchy places on my skin and didn’t think much of it until I got home and saw that not only was the new kitten infected, but my older cat was as well. Assuming this new kitten was the culprit, I took them both to the vet to find out both cats, my boyfriend and I all have ringworm. After talking to the vet, I literally came home and washed everything that wasn’t nailed down in a 1:10 solution of bleach and water (most of my stuff now has bleach spots) and wiped down every surface, including my leather couches with the same solution. Had I done some research first and found this article it would have saved me a lot of time and defiantly my now bleach-stained stuff. At least now I know that I don’t have to continue to over clean for the next six months to a year like I was originally led to believe.
Just thought people would want to know. Lysol does not kill ringworm. I’m citing lysol, not a personal opinion on this one. Here’s the link:
http://www.lysol.com/lysol-community/conversation/lysol-vs-ringworm-3488
Krystal,
Your ringworm problem is likely gone by now, but to answer your question: Yes, the blankets that your dog lays on should be washed daily for as long as your dog is infected. Depending on where the ringworm is located, you could have your dog wear a (clean) post-surgery shirt every day so that you would only have to wash the shirt, rather than the blankets, furniture and carpet. Make the shirt to fit loosely on your dog to keep from rubbing the ringworm.
Source: PetDIYs.com – DIY Fabric Post-Surgical Jacket
Source: Disabled World – Interesting Facts About Ringworm
Thank you for the link regarding Lysol. Many doctors don’t even know that Lysol does not kill ringworm. I am battling this with my 8-year-old daughter and I feel like we are living in hell right now. What a pain this is, and it’s so stressful to wash everything every day.