Have you noticed a musty smell coming from your clothes? The culprit is likely coming from inside your closets. Because closets are small, compact spaces with no air circulation, bad odors build up over time and permeate everything inside.

1. Find the Source of the Musty Smell

You can’t eliminate the bad odor if you don’t know what’s causing it. While dirty clothes, pest droppings, dust and sweaty shoes can make the bad odor smell worse, mold or mildew may be the cause. Mold forms when moisture is trapped in your closets and has no place to go due to lack of ventilation. To find where moisture may be coming from, search for water leaks in the walls or ceiling. If your closet attracts humidity because it’s next to a bathroom or in the basement, consider getting a dehumidifier.

2. Remove Mold and Mildew

Getting rid of mold and mildew will also get rid of the musty smells they caused. Mold could be green, black, red or blue while mildew is usually white or gray. Fill a spray bottle with two capfuls of bleach and hot water. Spray the mold or mildew and let sit until gone. To prevent mold from reappearing, keep moisture away from your closets. Custom Closets of Houston discusses some additional ways to prevent mold from growing in your custom closets in Super Simple Tips for Avoiding Mold Growth in Your Custom Closets

3. Regularly Clean Your Custom Closets

To keep your closets smelling fresh, you should regularly give them a thorough cleaning. Remove everything from your closets. Vacuum your closet floors to remove dirt and dust. Using an all-purpose cleaner or soap and water, clean all the surfaces in your closet including drawers, cabinets, shelves, walls and closet rods. If you have a carpeted floor, consider steam cleaning. Before returning your clothes and other items, make sure all surfaces are completely dry. Air out your closet and use a fan to speed up the drying process.

4. Clean and Dry Items Before Storing

Even if you only wore an item once, wash it with scented detergent to remove any odors on your clothes. Ensure clothing is completely dry before putting back in the closet. If clothes are not fully dry, the dampness will lead to other problems. If you keep a hamper in your closet, make sure not to put wet towels or damp clothing inside.

5. Reorganize Your Closets

Cramming clothing too close together prevents air from circulating in the closet. When you remove everything from your closet to clean it, go through the items and purge anything you no longer need or want. Then, arrange the clothing so air can flow more easily. Do not store anything on the floor to keep it clear.

6. Hang Garments on Wooden Hangers

Trade wire hangers for wooden hangers, as wood is better at protecting your clothes and preventing bad odors. The wood absorbs any moisture in the air to prevent dampness. While wood is a natural deodorizer, you can give your clothes a pleasant fragrance by purchasing wooden hangers with cedar or lavender scents. Cedar also prevents moths from destroying your clothing.

(713) 480-0581

Rosenberg, TX 77469

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Source: Life uncluttered

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