I get the appeal of lavender sachets, but honestly, I’ve found they just mask the musty smell instead of actually getting rid of it. About the airflow thing—
—I’ve tried that, but in my house, it just lets in more dust and pet hair. I actually had better luck sealing up gaps and using a cheap DIY baking soda jar to absorb odors. Not as fancy as silica, but way cheaper and surprisingly effective.“maybe try leaving the closet door cracked open now and then? Sometimes just a little airflow makes a huge difference.”
Baking soda jars are my go-to too—cheap, no fuss, and you don’t end up with everything smelling like grandma’s linen drawer. I’ve even tossed a handful into an old sock before. Not pretty, but it works. Never had much luck with those fancy sachets either...
I hear you on the sachets—never noticed much difference with those either. Curious if anyone’s tried activated charcoal bags? I’ve used them in rental properties for musty closets, and they seem to do the trick, but maybe that’s just me.
Charcoal bags have definitely worked for me, especially in those old closets where the air just never seems to move. I was skeptical at first—figured it was just another gimmick—but after a couple weeks, the musty smell faded. Maybe it’s psychological, but hey, if it works, it works. I do wonder if they need to be swapped out more often than the packaging claims though...
Maybe it’s psychological, but hey, if it works, it works.
That’s the spirit. I’ve used charcoal bags in a few rental properties—especially those with ancient closets—and honestly, they’ve saved me from having to repaint or deep clean just for that “old house” smell. Here’s a quick tip: I rotate mine every 2-3 months, even if the packaging says longer. Sometimes the air just needs a little extra help. If your closet could talk, it’d probably thank you for the fresh start.