Why do the clothes in your closet smell damp and musty?

For many of us, clothes are an investment, and they make it easy to represent who we are or what we believe in. That’s why we purchase high-quality clothes, and we want them to last for a very long time. The problem is, sometimes the clothes in our closet smell musty or damp. Why is that, and what can we do in order to solve this problem? Here’s what you should know!

What causes the musty, damp odor?

What you’ll notice is that the musty/damp odor doesn’t appear right away. Instead, it takes time to develop, and when you do feel it, this becomes incredibly problematic to deal with. Here are some of the main causes behind these unpleasant smells:

• Excess humidity levels can be a problem, especially if you go over 60%. When there’s too much moisture in the air, it can easily enter fabric fibers, and thus your clothes will have unpleasant smells. Investing in a good dehumidifier can help solve this issue while keeping humidity levels under control.
• Dirty or damp clothes, for example, workout shirts or a towel, can easily introduce bacteria/moisture into your closet. And when that happens, it’s very easy for the unpleasant smell to spread, due to bacteria reaching other clothes.
• A lack of adequate air circulation is also very problematic. If you don’t circulate the air in your closet, moisture and stale air get trapped, which makes ideal conditions for mildew or mold to start developing very quickly.
• Flooring or carpet issues can be an issue, since these can absorb moisture and spread those lingering, unpleasant odors.
• The same thing is valid when it comes to plumbing or roof leaks; they are problematic and can lead to these nasty smells in the long run

Can you get rid of these smells?

Absolutely, and there are different methods you can use. The most important thing here is to focus on finding adequate, effective, and comprehensive methods that will help.

Use a dehumidifier

Investing in a good dehumidifier is a great idea, mainly because it’s a product build specifically to lower humidity levels. It allows you to lower the air humidity levels while eliminating dangerous moisture that could lead to mold and bacteria spreading within your home. A dehumidifier also allows you to improve air quality, which is extremely important to do for any closet. A great model you can use in this situation is the Abestorm Guardian SN90.

Find ways to improve the airflow

There are different methods you can use. A very good one is to leave the closet doors open as often as you can. Of course, there’s also the option to install louvered doors, or even use a small fan to circulate the air. Moreover, you can avoid overstuffing the closet. If there are way too many clothes, that can block ventilation, and it only leads to issues down the line.

Check for any signs of mold

If there’s any mold in your home, you want to remove it as quickly as possible. But how do you identify any signs of mold? Search for any green/black spots on the clothes, shelves, corners, or walls. You can also identify mold if you see any peeling paint, warping wood, or some white, fuzzy patches.

Make sure that your clothes are dry and clean

A good way to avoid moisture in your closet is to ensure that your clothes are dry. Add those items in the dryer, hang them in a separate space with good airflow, anything you can. It will help you stay away from that musty, unwanted smell that’s very challenging and problematic to deal with.

Freshen up the closet naturally

How can you do that? There are various natural odor absorbers that you should use, like baking soda, cedar blocks, activated charcoal, or lavender sachets. These are great if you’re looking to neutralize any musty smells. On top of that, they deliver a fresh, natural scent that will just make your closet smell a lot better. It’s a good idea to test it out for yourself, and you’ll be very happy with the results.

Preventing musty closet smells in the long run

It’s never easy to try and deal with those musty, unpleasant smells. They can last for a very long time, and dealing with them is quite the challenge. The upside here is that you can find all kinds of long-term solutions for these problems. Here are some you should consider:

• Whenever there are humid months, run the dehumidifier. It’s an excellent way to keep your closet dry and free of humidity. Plus, you’re getting rid of the damp, musty smell, too.
• Moisture-absorbing products are always going to help remove musty smells. Plus, they provide a natural, pleasant odor, which comes in handy.
• Another good trick is to rotate clothes. If you let them sit untouched for a very long time, that makes them prone to absorbing moisture in the long run.
• If there are any leaks or signs of water damage within your home, solve them quickly. Doing that will help prevent any issues while protecting you from problems that could arise, like mold spreading throughout your home.
• It also helps if you clean your closet as often as you can. Seasonal cleaning is usually the best approach, and try to clean the floors and walls around your closet as well, whenever possible.
• Storing shoes in breathable containers will help you prevent any trapped odors, so try to consider that.

Conclusion

These unpleasant, musty smells coming from your closet can be very problematic and challenging. Plus, that also means some of your clothes already have mold or bacteria on them, which is not a good sign. The best approach here is to follow all our tips shown above and also buy a reliable dehumidifier. Not only will it help you eliminate any moisture quickly, but it can also provide you with excellent results in the long term. The last thing you want is any bad smell coming from your closet. Thankfully, if you buy a good dehumidifier, you don’t need to worry about that anymore!