The invention relates to a method for removing a contaminant from a gas phase or a liquid phase by contacting an article composed of (1) a fabric or cellulosic fiber and (2) a polyoxometalate, wherein the polyoxometalate is incorporated in the fabric or cellulosic fiber, with the gas phase or liquid phase containing the contaminant. The invention further relates to a polyoxometalate-modified fabric composed of a fabric and a polyoxometalate of the present invention incorporated in the fabric. The invention further relates to an article containing the polyoxometalate-modified fabric. The invention further relates to a method for making the polyoxometalate-modified fabric, by contacting the fabric with a polyoxometalate to produce a polyoxometalate-modified fabric.