I’m still figuring out the right balance between sealing things up and letting them breathe... seems like there’s a lot of trial and error involved.
That’s exactly where I keep getting tripped up, too. You read all these guides about “airtight is best,” but then you get condensation in weird places. I went a little overboard with caulking and ended up with a closet that felt like a rainforest. Had to backtrack and add a passive vent—now it’s way better. Honestly, mineral wool seems fine as long as there’s airflow. I do think people underestimate how much even tiny air leaks can help (or hurt) depending on your climate. Every house really does have its own weird set of rules...
Moldy closets and frizzy hair—honestly, that’s the most relatable combo I’ve seen all week. You’re not alone in the “rainforest closet” club. I once sealed up a laundry nook so well that my towels started smelling like a swamp. Had to admit defeat and drill a vent hole, which felt like admitting I’d lost to the house.
It’s wild how every guide swears by airtight, but then your socks start growing mushrooms. Sometimes I think houses just want to keep us humble. You’re totally right about airflow—sometimes a little draft is the lesser evil. And mineral wool? Not glamorous, but it does the job if you let it breathe.
Trial and error is basically the only way. If you ever figure out how to keep both mold and frizz at bay, please share your secrets... until then, I’ll be over here with my dehumidifier and a hat.
Sometimes I think houses just want to keep us humble.
That line made me laugh because it’s so true. I’m knee-deep in my first reno and honestly, every “airtight” tip seems to backfire in some weird way. I tried those moisture absorber tubs in my closet—helped a bit, but then my clothes felt stiff? It’s like you fix one thing and another pops up. You’re not losing to the house, you’re just learning its quirks. Hang in there, it’s all part of the process.
I swear, old houses have a sixth sense for when you’re getting too confident. I tried sealing up every draft in my 1920s place last winter—thought I was being clever. Next thing I know, the bathroom window’s sweating like it’s running a marathon and my linen closet smells like a swamp.
Those moisture tubs are weirdly hit or miss. Sometimes they help, sometimes it’s like they just trade one problem for another. I’ve started leaving the closet door cracked open and running a tiny fan in there when it gets muggy. Not sure if it’s actually working or if I’m just making myself feel better, but hey, the clothes don’t feel as stiff.
Honestly, I think these houses just want us to accept that “perfect” isn’t really on the menu. Maybe that’s part of their charm... or maybe that’s just what I tell myself when the paint starts peeling again.
I totally get what you mean about the moisture tubs—sometimes I feel like they just fill up and then the room still smells weird. Have you tried putting a bowl of baking soda in the closet? I read somewhere it helps, but I’m not sure if it’s actually doing anything or if it’s just placebo. I keep wondering if a dehumidifier would be worth the money, but those things aren’t cheap. Does anyone else’s hair go full frizz mode every time the humidity spikes, or is that just me?
