The Top Five Causes of Foul Smelling Closets

Whether it’s the clothing you wore to the gym or your work boots, dirty apparel and shoes can cause your closets to smell bad. In fact, Science Daily reported that dried sweat, dead skin cells, dirt, and debris on your unwashed clothing and shoes can cause foul odors, especially in small, poorly ventilated spaces.

Never leave dirty clothing balled up in the corners of your closet. Always store dirty apparel in a hamper and do laundry once or twice per week. Hang clean clothes or neatly store them in drawers. Keep your dirty shoes in the garage or mudroom. This way, they can properly air out.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), closets make excellent breeding grounds for moisture and mildew, especially if they are damp. If you notice a musty odor emanating from your closets, you could have a potential mold problem on your hands.

To ensure that mold doesn’t grow in your custom closets, always keep them free of moisture. Invest in a dehumidifier to zap water droplets from the air. Never leave damp clothing on your closet floors and routinely check for water damage.

Poor ventilation can also cause your closets to smell. This is because old, dirty air that has been circulating constantly throughout a home can pick up tiny debris particles, like pet dander and dust.

In order to better ventilate your closets, put a small fan on a shelf or on the floor to circulate the air. Open windows to allow fresh air to come inside. Buy an air purifier to remove smelly particles from the air. Also, avoid packing clothing tightly together on hangers. This will not allow for proper airflow between them and can cause an unpleasant odor.

Another key cause of smelly closets is dampness! To avoid damp and smelly closets, never store wet items in them. Keep your closet doors open to promote better air circulation.

If your closet already smells a bit musty from moisture, leave a jar full of charcoal or kitty litter on a shelf. Both will effectively absorb the bad odors. You can also make a white vinegar and water solution. Put the mixture in a spray bottle, and spray the smelly areas of your closet. Of course, make sure that you remove all of your personal belongings first, before spraying your closets with the solution.

Many people store body lotions, perfumes, and other fragrant items in their closets. If a bottle of strong-smelling substance tips over and leaks out, it can cause an overwhelming smell within your space. 

First, hunt down the source of the smell. Go through your closet to find the leaking fragrance product. When found, dispose of it immediately.

To get rid of the strong odor, store a jar of coffee grounds somewhere in your closet.  You can also put baggies of coffee grounds in the pockets of your clothing to quickly absorb the smell.

You can also create your own DIY air freshener. Simply mix water with a few drops of your favorite essential oils, put in a spray bottle, and spray throughout your closet.

From moisture and mildew to poor ventilation and dirty clothes, there are a lot of reasons why your closets could be smelling less than pleasant. 

Follow these simple tips and tricks to keep your closet odor-free and smelling fresh!