There are ways to eliminate mold and mildew. They involve a lot of elbow grease and some really strong chemicals. This is not something for the faint of heart, but it is possible to save clothes and possessions.
OK, for the "average" person I may agree with you, but if a person is willing to spend time on education of how to use the chemicals safely and is willing to put in the cleaning effort afterward, the results are very productive.