Yeah, ventilation really is the game changer. I’ve tried those moisture absorbers too, but they just don’t cut it long-term. I always wonder why more places don’t just add a simple vent—seems like such a small fix for a big problem. Vinegar’s my go-to as well, especially since bleach can get pretty harsh on surfaces. And funny enough, my hair calmed down after sorting out a closet leak... never thought the two would be connected, but here we are.
Vinegar’s my go-to as well, especially since bleach can get pretty harsh on surfaces.
Right there with you—bleach just feels like overkill most of the time, and the fumes are brutal. I’ve actually had better luck with a combo: first, prop the closet door open for a few hours (even just a crack helps), then wipe down with diluted vinegar. If you can swing it, installing a louvered vent is surprisingly easy—just a drill and a bit of patience. And yeah, humidity and hair... who knew they were frenemies?
Louvered vents are a game changer for closet airflow, no doubt. I’ve put in more of those than I can count, and honestly, it’s one of those fixes that looks harder than it is. Just gotta watch out for any wiring in the wall—ran into that once and it turned a 30-minute job into a half-day headache. If you’re not sure what’s behind the drywall, a cheap stud finder with wire detection is worth its weight.
On the vinegar front, I’m with you—bleach is just too much for most closet surfaces. Plus, if you’ve got painted shelves or MDF, bleach can actually make things worse over time by breaking down the finish. Vinegar’s gentler and does the trick for light mold or musty smells. I usually mix it about 50/50 with water and let it sit for ten minutes before wiping down.
One thing I’d add: after cleaning, toss a small fan in there for an hour or two if you can swing it. Even a box fan propped up outside the door helps dry things out fast. Mold hates moving air.
Humidity and hair... yeah, that’s a combo nobody warns you about when you buy an old house. My wife jokes that her hair has its own weather report depending on which closet she opens. We tried those little silica gel packs at first, but they barely made a dent. Ended up putting in a dehumidifier in the hallway during the summer months—made a bigger difference than anything else we tried.
If anyone’s dealing with stubborn spots that keep coming back, check for leaks around windows or pipes nearby. Had one client who kept scrubbing her closet walls every month until we found a tiny drip from an upstairs bathroom pipe... fixed that and problem solved.
Anyway, sometimes it feels like closets have their own personalities—some just want to stay damp no matter what you do. But good airflow and regular wipe-downs go a long way.
Frizzy hair and moldy closets—story of my life since moving into this 1950s “charming” fixer-upper. I tried the fancy closet dehumidifiers, but honestly, a cheap bowl of baking soda works nearly as well if you swap it out every few weeks. I did the vinegar thing too, but if you forget to air it out after, your clothes smell like salad dressing for days. My trick: leave the closet door cracked open whenever possible. Not the prettiest solution, but hey, less mold and slightly less frizz... can’t win ‘em all.
I get the appeal of baking soda, but I’d argue it’s more of a band-aid than a fix. In my experience, those “charming” older homes almost always have hidden moisture issues—cracked foundations, poor ventilation, you name it.
That helps short-term, but have you checked for leaks or considered adding a vent or small exhaust fan? It’s not glamorous, but it can make a massive difference in the long run. Mold’s sneaky... sometimes it’s deeper than it looks.“leave the closet door cracked open whenever possible. Not the prettiest solution, but hey, less mold and slightly less frizz...”
