Good points about the doors and insulation—never thought about cold spots causing condensation. Have you noticed if closets on interior walls have fewer mold issues overall? I've seen some pretty funky setups where people stuffed closets full of clothes, blocking airflow completely...wonder if just rearranging stuff could help a bit too. Also curious if anyone's tried those charcoal bags—I see them everywhere but always wondered if they're legit or just another gimmick.
Interior closets definitely seem less prone to mold in my experience, probably because they're buffered from exterior temperature swings. But honestly, airflow is key—I've seen closets packed so tight you couldn't squeeze a hanger in, and that's just asking for trouble. Charcoal bags...eh, I'm skeptical. They might absorb odors temporarily, but I doubt they'd tackle actual moisture issues long-term. Has anyone tried installing small vents or even tiny fans inside their closets? Seems like that could be more effective overall.
Small vents can definitely help—I put a few discreet ones in my rental properties after tenants kept complaining about moldy closets. Made a noticeable difference. Tiny fans sound like they'd work too, but I'd worry about noise or wiring hassles. What about moisture absorbers like DampRid? I've heard mixed reviews, curious if anyone here's had luck with them long-term...
I've tried DampRid in my old Victorian place, and honestly, results were mixed for me too. They definitely absorbed moisture initially—I could see the water collecting—but I found myself replacing them pretty frequently, especially during humid months. It got pricey and a bit annoying after a while.
What ended up working better for me was a combo approach. First, I put small passive vents in the closets (like you mentioned), but then I also started using activated charcoal bags. They're reusable—just pop them in sunlight every month or so to recharge—and they seemed to keep humidity levels down without constant replacements. Bonus: no weird chemical smell either.
If you're dealing with serious mold issues though, I'd suggest a quick wipe-down with diluted vinegar solution first (kills spores naturally), then drying thoroughly before adding the charcoal bags or DampRid packets. It made a noticeable difference in my closets, and my clothes finally stopped smelling musty...
Interesting take on the charcoal bags—I tried those myself but didn't notice a huge difference in humidity levels. Did you measure the humidity before and after, or was it more of a feel thing? Personally, I had better luck installing a small, low-wattage closet heater on a timer. It gently warmed the space just enough to keep mold from forming. Not ideal for energy bills, but it saved me from constantly replacing DampRid or waiting for charcoal bags to recharge...
