In the months when winter weather batters the outside of your home, the inside often takes on a closed-in smell -- and nowhere is this more true than in your clothes closets. Clothes hung in the closet when they're not completely dry, and wet or dry shoes and outerwear all contribute to that musty smell when left inside the closet.
Here, we want to share the 7 best tricks with you. Don’t hesitate to try them out next time you’re confronted with an unpleasant smell when you open your wardrobe.
Putting grains of rice in cabinets is an old trick that has been used for decades to help absorb the moisture that facilitates the growth of mold. This prevents the mold from growing on the walls of your closet. Thus, it stops the nasty odors it produces from getting into your clothes. Place some rice into small cloth bags, and hang or place them in the corners of your cabinets. Alternatively, you can simply pour rice into an open, lidless container and place it in a corner on the floor of the cabinet.
You can actually do quite a bit with essential oils to help keep your clothes smelling fresh. If you prefer to use them in the wash, try adding 10 to 20 drops of your oil of choice (lavender oil is a nice scent for laundry) during the final rinse cycle. Another option is to add a few drops of your essential oil to a clean scrap of fabric or a clean washcloth and then toss it in the dryer with the rest of your clothes. This will lightly scent all of your garments as they dry. Finally, try making your own solution of water and essential oil (you may need to play around with the ratio to find your ideal fragrance level) to lightly spray on any clothing that needs a little pick-me-up.
The antifungal and antibacterial properties of white vinegar mean it’s a great agent for neutralizing the odor of moisture that tends to build up in drawers and closets. White vinegar not only eliminates fungus, it also removes excess dirt, leaving the wood looking fresh and smelling totally free of strong aromas. Clean the closet from top to bottom – sweep the floor thoroughly and wipe down any shelves and walls (white vinegar is a great natural deodorizer. Mix 1/2 cup in a bucket of warm-to-hot water and wiping down the shelves, walls and floors of your closet – if you spot mold or mildew, the site suggests eliminating it with a spray bottle 3/4 full with hot water, adding in two capfuls of bleach).
Baking soda is known for keeping bad smells out of a refrigerator, but it can work in a closet, too. Baking soda needs good air circulation to work well, so put it on a shelf or someplace where air will reach it. Ensure to put it in a place where you won't knock it over accidentally. You'll need to change the baking soda regularly, and baking soda is only helpful for certain kinds of smells. You can also sprinkle baking soda on the carpet or anything particularly smelly, such as shoes, then vacuum it later.
Soap bars can lend their aroma to their surroundings. Use strongly-scented soaps to make your closet smell fantastic. You can wrap a bar in clean fabric and tuck it in your closet, drawer or even a suitcase full of clothes. Make sure to use a thin fabric, which allows the fragrance to pass through it while protecting your clothes from the soap.
Scented wooden hangers can be used to keep clothes smelling fresh and well-organized. Cheap wire hangers can ruin your clothes over time. Wooden hangers, on the other hand, can be used to store all types of heavy clothing such as woolens, men’s suits, and knit dresses. Cedar hangers can absorb moisture, give your clothes a pleasant smell, and prevent moths from destroying them. In fact, aromatic cedar is an excellent natural substitute for synthetic insect repellents. You can buy lavender scented wooden hangers for seasonal storage.
