Mold-resistant primer really surprised me too—didn’t expect it to actually work, but it’s been a game changer. I’ve tried baking soda in shoes and closets for the smell, but it’s hit or miss. Anyone ever tried those cedar blocks or sachets for moisture control? I keep seeing them recommended but never sure if they’re more than just a nice scent.
Mold-resistant primer really is one of those things you don’t expect to make a difference until you try it. I had a rental property with a closet that just wouldn’t quit smelling musty, no matter what I did. Tried the baking soda trick too—sometimes it helped, sometimes it just made everything smell like stale bread. The primer, though, actually seemed to keep the walls from getting that weird fuzzy look after a humid summer.
About cedar blocks and sachets—I’ve used both, but honestly, they’re more about scent than serious moisture control in my experience. Cedar does help with odors and supposedly keeps moths away (which is a bonus if you’ve got wool stuff), but if you’re dealing with real dampness, it’s not going to pull water out of the air like silica gel or those little moisture absorber tubs. I put cedar blocks in my sock drawer once and it smelled great for a few weeks, but didn’t notice any difference in how dry things felt.
If you want something low-maintenance that actually works for moisture, those hanging calcium chloride bags are ugly but effective. Not as charming as cedar, but they do the job. I still toss a sachet or two in for good measure—can’t hurt to have things smelling nice while you’re at it.
It’s kind of wild how much trial and error goes into keeping closets fresh. Sometimes I feel like I’m running science experiments in there... but hey, when something finally works, it’s worth all the weird hacks along the way.
Totally get what you mean about feeling like a mad scientist in the closet. You nailed it with the primer—people underestimate how much that stuff helps until they see it for themselves. I’ve seen folks dump all kinds of home remedies in there, but honestly, nothing beats actually sealing up the surfaces. Those calcium chloride bags aren’t pretty, but they’re workhorses. I’ve even seen people try to hide them behind shoe racks just to keep the vibe going. Sometimes you gotta sacrifice a little style for dry socks, right?
Dry socks are worth a little sacrifice, for sure. I’ve tried to make those calcium chloride bags look “intentional” in my closet, but there’s only so much you can do with a bag of salty goo, you know? I saw someone on YouTube once who actually put theirs inside a decorative basket and called it a “closet freshener.” That’s some next-level denial.
Sometimes you gotta sacrifice a little style for dry socks, right?
Couldn’t agree more, but I’ll admit I’m stubborn about aesthetics. I went down the rabbit hole with those “natural” home remedies—baking soda, coffee grounds, even tried charcoal pouches. They all helped a bit, but honestly, nothing really worked until I caved and used an actual primer and sealant on the walls. It’s wild how much difference that made. The closet just felt... less musty? Hard to describe, but you know it when you smell it.
One thing I’ll say, though—I underestimated how much airflow matters. I used to keep my closet door closed all the time (trying to keep the cat out), but once I started leaving it cracked open during the day, things improved a lot. Not saying it’s a miracle cure, but it definitely helped with both the mold and the weird humidity that was making my hair go full poodle.
I still stash one of those moisture bags behind my boots. Out of sight, out of mind... until it fills up and you realize just how much water was lurking in there. Kind of gross but also satisfying? Like, at least it’s not in my shoes anymore.
Anyway, if anyone ever figures out how to make those bags look chic, let me know. Until then, I guess we’re all just mad scientists with slightly less frizzy hair.
Not sure I’m totally sold on the sealant fix, honestly. I did that in my old place and it helped, but only for a while—humidity still crept back in. Maybe it’s just my climate, but I feel like airflow is the real MVP here.
I underestimated how much airflow matters.
Same. I actually put a tiny fan on a timer in my closet and it made a bigger difference than any of those moisture bags or “natural” hacks. The bags are satisfying to empty, but I kinda hate dealing with them... Anyone else just get tired of the maintenance?
