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 ...
I get what you’re saying about the rechargeable dehumidifier, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience. Those little tubs aren’t perfect, but I like that I don’t have to worry about cords or finding an outlet in an old house. Plus, less plastic waste if you get the refillable kind. Still, I totally relate to the “musty wall of air”—sometimes I feel like I’m walking into a basement every time I open the closet.
Title: My Battle With Moldy Closets And Frizzy Hair
Funny you mention the refillable tubs—I’ve seen people forget about those and end up with a science experiment growing in the corner. I hear you on the outlet issue, though. Some of these old houses barely have enough plugs for lamps, let alone gadgets. Ever tried just cracking the closet door or adding a vent? Sometimes a little airflow does more than any gadget. Not always pretty, but it beats that “basement” vibe...
Cracking the closet door definitely helps, but I’ve found it only goes so far if the humidity’s high—especially in older houses where airflow’s already kind of a joke. One thing I tried was drilling a few small holes at the top and bottom of the closet door (hidden behind clothes, so not too ugly). It made a surprising difference. Ever thought about using natural moisture absorbers, like charcoal bags or even just a bowl of baking soda? I’m always curious if those actually work long-term or if it’s just a placebo effect...
Ever thought about using natural moisture absorbers, like charcoal bags or even just a bowl of baking soda? I’m always curious if those actually work long-term or if it’s just a placebo effect...
I get what you mean about airflow being a joke in older houses, but I’m not totally sold on the “drill holes in the door” approach. In my experience, that can sometimes just let the humidity in from the rest of the house, unless you’re running a dehumidifier nearby. Those charcoal bags—tried ‘em in a rental once. They helped with musty smell, but didn’t do much for actual moisture over time. Ever tried those small rechargeable dehumidifiers? They’re not perfect, but I’ve had better luck with those than baking soda or charcoal.
Rechargeable dehumidifiers are actually pretty interesting—I picked up a couple for a flip last year where the closets were always damp. They did a better job than I expected, but you have to remember to “recharge” them every week or two, which is kind of a pain if you’re forgetful like me. I get what you’re saying about charcoal bags. They’re decent for odors, but I’ve never seen them make a dent in actual humidity levels, especially in a closed space.
Have you ever tried those moisture absorber tubs (like DampRid)? I’m always curious if they work better than the DIY stuff. I’ve used them in crawlspaces and they seem to fill up pretty quick, but I wonder if that’s just because the air is so bad down there to begin with. Also, does anyone else think drilling holes in doors just makes the closet colder and doesn’t really fix the root problem? I feel like unless you tackle the source of the moisture, it’s just a band-aid.