The stink of a musty closet is something that every homeowner has experienced. The smell clings to your clothes, towels and whatever else you have stored inside. Fortunately, there are things you can do to get rid of that stink once and for all.
The most Why does your closet smell musty? cause of musty closet odor is excess moisture. Moisture can be caused by dirty laundry or sweaty shoes, but also by a lack of air flow. Because closets are usually compact, enclosed spaces with little air circulation, moisture can build up quickly. This can lead to mold and mildew which produce a musty odor. If you suspect mold or mildew is the culprit, look for water leaks in the walls or ceiling and consider investing in a dehumidifier.
Other causes of musty closet odor include dust and pest droppings. If you have the time, give your closet a thorough cleaning and scrub down the shelves and walls. If you don’t want to go the full hog, try placing fans on the windowsill and opening closet doors periodically to allow air to circulate.
You can also use coffee grounds or activated charcoal in a container with holes to absorb odors. It will need to be refilled from time to time but it will help reduce musty closet odors over the long run. When you’ve thoroughly cleaned your closet, taken care of any damp items and increased air flow, a musty closet should be a thing of the past.