Cracked a window and swapped out closet doors for curtains—made a huge difference. Those tubs are just a bandaid if there’s no airflow. Cheap box fan pointed into the closet helps too, especially when it’s humid outside. If you’re renting, I’d skip anything permanent or expensive. Sometimes just airing stuff out every week is enough, but yeah, leaks are a whole different headache...
Curtains instead of doors is a game changer—totally agree there. I’d add: if you can, try putting a moisture meter in the closet just to see how bad it gets. Sometimes those tubs fill up fast and you don’t even notice. I’ve had luck with a small dehumidifier too, but yeah, not always an option if you’re renting or tight on space. Leaks though... that’s when you start dreaming about moving somewhere dry.
Curtains instead of doors is a game changer—totally agree there.
I swapped out my closet doors for curtains last month and wow, didn’t expect it to make such a difference. Here’s what worked for me: 1) I put a cheap hygrometer in there (Amazon special), 2) left the curtain cracked open during the day, and 3) rotated my shoes so nothing sits in the same spot too long. The dehumidifier idea is tempting, but I’m already tripping over extension cords... Anyone else find those moisture tubs get gross fast? I swear mine fills up overnight if it rains.
Curtains are a solid move—makes the closet feel less like a cave, right? I’ve run into the same issue with those moisture tubs. They do their job, but man, they get nasty fast. I had one tip over once and it was like a mini science experiment gone wrong... never again.
Here’s a little system I’ve landed on after dealing with some gnarly closet mold in one of my rentals (old house, no airflow):
1. First, I swapped out the closet light for a battery-powered LED puck. No cords, no tripping hazard, and it helps dry things out just enough if you leave it on for an hour or two.
2. Instead of the big dehumidifier, I use those hanging moisture absorber bags (the kind with crystals). They’re less gross than the tubs and you can just toss them when they fill up—no spills.
3. Every few weeks, I wipe down the closet walls with diluted vinegar. Not glamorous, but it keeps the musty smell at bay and seems to slow down mold growth.
4. For shoes and bags, I stick silica gel packets in them (the ones that come in packages). It’s a small thing but helps keep stuff from getting funky.
I hear you on extension cords—one too many close calls with those. If you ever do go the dehumidifier route, there are some rechargeable mini ones that don’t need cords at all. They’re not as powerful as the plug-in kind but might be enough for a small closet.
Funny enough, after making these changes, my hair’s been less frizzy in the mornings too. Maybe coincidence... or maybe my old closet was secretly a rainforest.
Anyway, hope something here helps. Moldy closets are the worst—takes some trial and error to find what actually works long-term.
Curtains make a huge difference, I agree—makes the space feel less like a dungeon. I’ve actually found that adding a vent (even a small passive one) in the closet door helps more than anything else for airflow. Those moisture absorber bags are decent, but honestly, nothing beats actually reducing the humidity at the source. I’ve seen tenants try every hack and shortcut, but if the closet’s up against an exterior wall or near a bathroom, it’s always a losing battle unless you address ventilation. Vinegar’s solid for maintenance, though—bleach just masks the problem and can damage paint. Funny about the hair, though... I’ve heard similar from people after fixing dampness issues.
