How to Get Rid of Musty Smell in Closet for Good!

There is one area in our home that gets overlooked all the time, and that is our closet. It’s not uncommon for closets to develop a musty smell, especially if they’re not properly ventilated or if there’s excess moisture.

If you have a closet smell too, don’t worry! I’m going to help you to get rid of your musty closet smell

Is there anything worse than opening your closet to a musty smell that makes you want to close the door and move to a different house! Today, I’m going to dig into the causes of musty closet smells and offer practical solutions on how to get rid of musty smell in closet, not only to eliminate them, but also prevent them from returning.

Wouldn’t that be nice!

Say goodbye to that undesirable musty odor and hello to a fresh, clean closet that you’ll be proud to show off!

How To Get Rid of Musty Smell In Closet Takeaways:

Understand and address musty closet odors with proactive steps.
Clean your closet, launder clothes & shoes, improve air circulation, dehumidify the space & use natural odor absorbers for a fresh smelling environment.
Regularly clean and store clothing properly to prevent future musty smells in your closet!
Use a natural deodorizer to keep your closet smelling fresh and clean.

Effective Strategies for Eliminating Musty Closet Odors

In this section, we’ll explore five effective strategies to help you eliminate those pesky musty closet smells:

Thoroughly cleaning the closet
Laundering dirty items
Improving air circulation
Dehumidifying the closet space
Using natural odor absorbers

By following these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to a fresh, clean, and odor-free closet that you’ll love to use every day.

Thoroughly Clean the Closet

When you come across a musty smell from your musty closet, make a plan to find some time so that you can deal with the issue. You will need at least a few hours, so if this means, putting a movie on for the kids – do that!

Take all your clothes and shoes out of your smelly closet, and give your smelly closet a thorough cleaning.

As always vinegar will come to the rescue to help you out here.

Add one part vinegar to four parts water in a spray bottle and give your walls a good spray to remove any musty coset odors. Give your walls a good wipe down to remove any lingering musty smell.

Don’t forget to vacuum the floors and dust the top shelf and ceiling light fixtures to ensure your closet is completely clean.

A clean closet is the foundation for keeping musty closet odors at bay, and a well-maintained closet door ensures easy access to your belongings, preventing any musty closet smell.

To eliminate any musty smell from your closet, always make sure you are keeping your closet very clean and that you have proper ventilation in your closet.

Launder Dirty Clothing and Clean Shoes

As I mentioned earlier, dirty clothes and dirty shoes can contribute to musty closet smells. To tackle this issue, make sure to regularly launder your clothes and clean your shoes, this will drastically reduce odors in your closet.

Check for any particularly smelly shoes and get them washed.

I would recommend not storing any workout shoes in your closet, because they are bound to be sweaty and have an odor from time to time.

After I go run, I shower and immediately put my workout clothes in the washing machine, so the next time the machine goes on, my clothes will get washed. I never keep them in my hamper in my closet

If you don’t want to do that, you could wash the dirty clothes in your hamper at least once during the week so you are not leaving smelly clothes sitting in your closet. This not only keeps your closet smelling fresh, but also helps ensure your clothes and shoes last longer.

Remember, a well-maintained wardrobe is the key to a fresh and inviting closet.

Improve Air Circulation

The cause of the bad smells in your closet could be air circulation! If you can improve air flow in your closet, this works really well to keep musty odors at bay.

Here are some tips to help you achieve better air circulation in your closet:

Avoid overcrowding your closet, as this can restrict airflow and create a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
Open your closet doors occasionally to let fresh air in.
Consider using a fan or vent if possible to further enhance air circulation.

By following these tips, you can prevent bad odors and maintain a fresh-smelling closet.

Dehumidify the Closet Space

Don’t let mold ruin your belongings! Reduce humidity and eliminate musty odors in your closet by using a dehumidifier or moisture-absorbing products. Not only will you keep your clothing fresh and odor-free, but you’ll also protect your clothes and valuables.

Follow these easy steps to keep your closet space dry and well-ventilated.

Use Natural Odor Absorbers

A natural deodorizer like baking soda, activated charcoal, or coffee grounds are excellent options for neutralizing the musty smell in your closet. These eco-friendly solutions work by absorbing the bad odors and purifying the air, leaving your closet smelling fresh and clean, and can help you to get rid of the unpleasant odor finally.

Simply place your chosen odor absorber in a small container or sachet, and place it in your musty closets. Replace or refresh the odor absorber as needed to get rid of the musty smell and maintain a pleasant, fresh scent.

Preventing Future Musty Smells in Your Closet

With your closet clean and fresh, it’s time to focus on preventing future musty smells. By maintaining regular cleanliness, using proper storage techniques, and storing seasonal clothing elsewhere, you can keep your closet smelling great and make it an enjoyable space to use daily.

Let’s dive into the steps you can take to ensure your closet remains fresh and inviting.

Regular Closet Maintenance

To keep your closet in top shape (aka no musty smell), it’s essential to maintain regular cleanliness and inspect it for signs of mold or mildew.

Dust the top shelf and ceiling light fixtures, clean hanging rods with a damp cloth and mild detergent, and vacuum the floors.

Regular maintenance not only keeps your closet smelling fresh, but also ensures that your clothes and accessories are stored in a clean, healthy environment.

Don’t keep wearing the same sweatshirt and putting it back on the hangar for another day! After a couple of wears, put it in the wash!

Proper Storage Techniques

Ensuring your clothing and shoes are clean, dry, and properly stored is key to preventing a musty smell in your wardrobe. If your clothes smell musty, wash and dry all your dirty clothes before placing them in the closet, and never have damp clothes or wet towels in your closet.

By following these simple storage techniques, you’ll not only keep your closet smelling great, but also prolong the life of your clothing and accessories.

Seasonal Clothing Storage

Maximize your closet space and improve air circulation with this simple hack. Store your seasonal clothes in separate areas like in a vacuum packed bag and then placed under the bed or a spare closet. Not only will this open up space in your main closet, but it will also make it easier to find and access the clothing you need for the current season.

Say goodbye to overcrowding and hello to a fresher, more functional closet all year round.

Understanding the Causes of Musty Closet Smells

It’s important that you know the root causes of your musty closet smell. There are three main culprits that contribute to thoe horrible musty smell in your closet – excess moisture leading to mold growth, dirty clothes and shoes, and inadequate ventilation.

Now that you know how you get the musty smell in your closet, you will able to address these issues and take care of the problem!

#1. Excess Moisture and Mold Growth

Excess moisture is the culprit behind the growth of mold and mildew in your closet. Don’t let high humidity levels, damp clothing, and poor ventilation ruin your closet. Left unchecked, mold and mildew can cause damage to your clothes and even pose health risks to you and your family.

To keep your closets smelling fresh, make sure to address moisture issues promptly and effectively, using moisture-absorbing products, dehumidifiers, or dryer sheets.

Have you heard about dryer sheets? Place dryer sheets around your closet space to freshen up the space. and help it to smell nice.

#2. Dirty Clothes and Shoes

Dirty clothes and smelly shoes might be an obvious cause of musty closet odors, but it’s easy to overlook them in our busy lives. Bacteria, sweat, and other substances on dirty items can transfer to the surrounding air, adding to the unpleasant smell.

To keep your closet smelling fresh, make a habit of regularly washing your clothes and cleaning your shoes. Dryer sheets work wonders for smelly shoes. Put a dryer sheet inside your shoes, use a half for kids shoes and your pumps. Say goodbye to bad odors with this genius hack.

#3 Inadequate Ventilation

Inadequate ventilation in your closet can result in stagnant air, providing the perfect breeding ground for musty odors. To alleviate this issue, it’s important to improve air circulation within your closet. Open the closet doors occasionally to allow fresh air in, and consider using a fan or vent if possible.

By taking these steps, you can keep your closet smelling fresh and prevent the buildup of musty smells.

Get Rid of the Smells In Your Musty Closet Conclusion

In conclusion, you can easily have a fresh, clean closet free of musty odors with just a little effort and attention to detail. By understanding the causes of musty smells, implementing effective strategies for eliminating odors, and practicing regular maintenance and proper storage, you can enjoy a pleasant closet experience every day.

So, take the first step towards a fresher, more inviting closet and breathe new life into your wardrobe today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes musty odor in closet?

High moisture levels in the closet are the primary cause of musty odors. This can be caused by things like poor ventilation and dampness from unwashed dirty clothes, excess humidity in the area, or a crack in the home’s foundation.

To reduce moisture levels, use a dehumidifier and ensure clothes are fully dry before putting them away.

How do I get the weird smell out of my closet?

Eliminate closet odors by cleaning everything in your closet, use baking soda for smelly shoes, using activated charcoal, misting with essential oils, switching to cedar hangers or even wooden hangers, running a dehumidifier, and using bar soap.

What is the best deodorizer for closets?

Baking soda is the best deodorizer for closets, as it absorbs unwanted odors and smells. Place an open box of baking soda inside your closet to keep it smelling fresh.

What absorbs musty smells?

Eliminate musty odors from your home with activated charcoal, baking soda, white vinegar, scented dryer sheets, or even a special product like DampRid. Regularly replacing these items will ensure the musty smell is eliminated quickly and efficiently.

How can I improve air circulation in my closet?

Improve air circulation in your closet by avoiding overcrowding, opening the doors periodically and introducing a fan or vent.

This will help to keep the air in your closet fresh and reduce the risk of mold and mildew.

All of the above solutions will help you to keep that musty smell from getting into your closet, try using dryer sheets or activated charcoal etc to stop you getting a musty closet!

How to Get Rid of Musty Smell in Closet for Good!

How To Get Rid of Musty Smell In Closet Takeaways: