I’ve wondered about those solar closet fans too. I’ve only seen them in catalogs, never in a real house. My gut says unless your closet gets a ton of direct sun, they probably don’t move much air. Anyone actually measured airflow with one? I’m skeptical, but maybe I’m missing something...
I get where you’re coming from. I actually bought one of those solar closet fans on a whim a few years back, mostly out of desperation after a summer of musty shirts and sweaters. My closet’s on the north side of the house, so it doesn’t get direct sun for more than a couple hours, and honestly, I can barely tell if the fan is doing much. If I put my hand right up to it on a sunny day, there’s a faint breeze… but nothing that would really dry out damp clothes or knock out that stubborn humidity.
I’ve had better luck just leaving the closet door cracked and running a small dehumidifier nearby. The solar thing seemed cool in theory, but unless you’ve got a sun-soaked wall and a tiny closet, I wouldn’t expect miracles. Still, it was fun to try—sometimes half the fun is just seeing what works and what doesn’t.
I’ve wondered about those solar fans too—seems like a neat idea, but I can see how it might not have enough oomph if the closet isn’t getting much sun. I’ve tried a few things in rental properties over the years, and honestly, the tiny plug-in dehumidifiers seem to work best for stubborn humidity. Ever tried those moisture absorber tubs? I’ve thrown them in closets as a quick fix, but I’m not sure they’re much more than a band-aid. Does anyone actually get long-term results from those, or are they just a temporary thing?
I actually had better luck with those moisture absorber tubs than I expected—at least in my old house, where the closets are basically little caves. They’re not a forever fix, but if you swap them out every month or two, they can keep things from getting musty. The trick is remembering to check them before they overflow... ask me how I know. I do think the plug-in dehumidifiers pull more moisture overall, but the tubs are handy for spots without outlets. Maybe not a cure-all, but not totally useless either.
Maybe not a cure-all, but not totally useless either.
I hear you on the “little cave” closets—mine are original to the house and basically designed for another era’s wardrobe. I’ve tried those moisture absorber tubs too, and while they do help a bit, I always end up forgetting about them until I notice a puddle or that weird chemical smell. Honestly, I’ve had better luck with a small rechargeable dehumidifier, even if it means running an extension cord. The tubs are fine in a pinch, but in my experience, nothing beats actually pulling the moisture out for good. Still, anything’s better than opening the closet and getting hit with that musty wall of air...