- Used cedar oil a couple times—noticed some light marks on a white shirt, but nothing major. I just let the wood dry out longer before rehanging stuff.
- Sanding is a pain, totally agree. I just do a quick swipe with sandpaper every few months instead of tackling the whole thing at once.
- Small fan trick is underrated. I rigged up a USB fan on a cheap timer and it actually helped with that stale smell. Not a miracle, but for under $15, worth it.
- For drafts, I used weatherstripping and those foam outlet sealers. Not perfect, but my closet’s way less musty now and my clothes don’t feel damp anymore.
- Hair’s still frizzy some days, but at least my sweaters aren’t growing science experiments...
- That USB fan idea is solid—I've seen tenants try those mini dehumidifiers too, but honestly, the fan seems more effective for the price.
- Weatherstripping definitely helps, but sometimes I find that older closets just need a vent cut in. Not always possible if you’re renting, though.
- About cedar oil:
I’ve had similar issues with cedar blocks leaving faint stains if they touch fabric. Anyone tried those hanging silica gel packs? Curious if they actually pull enough moisture to make a difference, or just marketing hype...“noticed some light marks on a white shirt, but nothing major.”
Cutting a vent in an old closet is one of those things I always *think* about doing, but then I remember the landlord would probably have a fit. I’ve had better luck just propping the door open with a shoe when I’m home, which isn’t pretty but it helps. That USB fan trick is underrated—picked up a cheap one last year and it’s been running almost nonstop. My electric bill barely noticed, but my closet definitely did.
Cedar blocks are a mixed bag for me too. They smell great, but I’ve had a couple shirts come out with weird marks that took a few washes to fade. As for those silica gel packs, I toss a handful in a mesh bag and hang them up. They do get kind of soggy after a while, so I guess they’re pulling *some* moisture, but I wouldn’t call it a miracle. Still, for a few bucks, it’s worth a shot. At least they don’t stain anything...
I hear you on the landlord thing—mine would probably freak if I even mentioned a vent. Propping the door open with whatever’s handy is pretty much my go-to too. Those USB fans are lifesavers, honestly. I’ve got one wedged on a shelf and it’s made a bigger difference than I expected. Cedar’s always been hit-or-miss for me, too... sometimes it’s great, sometimes my clothes end up smelling like a hamster cage. The silica packs are better than nothing, but yeah, not exactly miracle workers. Still, every little bit helps against that musty closet funk.
I swear, old houses are basically mold’s favorite playground. I tried those cedar blocks too—my sweaters just ended up smelling like I’d stored them in a guinea pig cage. One thing that’s helped me (besides a rotating cast of fans and cracked windows) is tossing a bowl of baking soda in the closet. It doesn’t solve everything, but it seems to suck up some of the funk. As for frizzy hair... humidity’s got me looking like I stuck my finger in a socket most days.
