Sometimes just cutting a vent at the top or bottom of the door helps airflow without needing to keep it wide open all the time.
Cutting a vent at the top of the closet door made a noticeable difference for me—less musty smell, and I haven’t seen any mold since. It’s not a miracle fix, but it’s way less hassle than running a dehumidifier 24/7. Just make sure you don’t block the airflow with clothes packed too tight.
Funny timing—just had a client last month with a closet that smelled like a swamp every summer. They’d tried those little moisture absorber tubs and even ran a fan, but nothing really stuck. Ended up cutting a rectangular vent at the bottom of the door (they had carpet, so the top wasn’t an option), and it made a bigger difference than I expected. I always tell folks: passive airflow beats closed-up spaces every time. But yeah, it’s not magic. If you’ve got clothes jammed in there, or boxes stacked tight against the walls, you’re basically undoing all that effort. I usually recommend leaving a couple inches between the walls and anything stored, if possible.
One thing I’ve noticed—sometimes people go overboard and cut too big of a vent, thinking more is better. You can actually lose heat or AC that way, depending on where the closet sits. I stick to about 4"x12" for most standard doors and it seems to hit the sweet spot.
Also, quick tip: if your closet backs up to a bathroom or kitchen, double check for any slow leaks or condensation issues. Had one case where we chased “moldy closet smell” for weeks, but it turned out to be a pinhole leak behind the drywall. The vent helped, but fixing the leak was the real solution.
Frizzy hair’s another beast—I swear, humidity finds its way into everything. My partner started keeping her hair stuff in sealed bins after noticing it got weirdly sticky in the summer. Not sure if that’s helpful, but hey... sometimes it’s the little changes that add up.
Cutting a vent in the closet door really does make a difference, especially when you’re dealing with that swampy smell every summer. I’ve seen folks try to solve it with just moisture absorbers or fans, but without actual airflow, it’s just a band-aid. You’re spot on about not overdoing the vent size—people forget that bigger isn’t always better. I’ve had clients complain about their bedroom getting colder in winter because too much air was escaping through an oversized closet vent.
One thing I’d add: if you’ve got an older house, sometimes the closet walls themselves aren’t insulated well, and that can make humidity issues worse. I’ve had luck adding a thin layer of rigid foam insulation behind the drywall in a couple of problem closets. It’s not always practical, but it can help if you’re already doing some work in there.
And yeah, clutter is the enemy. If you can see the baseboards and there’s space for air to move, you’re halfway there. Never thought about the hair products getting sticky, but now that you mention it, my wife’s hairspray always seems to get weird in July... maybe time for some sealed bins here too.
Moldy closets and frizzy hair—honestly, it’s like a horror movie double feature. I’ve seen people go wild with the vent thing, cutting out half the door, and then they’re shocked when their heating bill jumps or the closet feels like a wind tunnel. It really is about balance (and not letting your socks freeze in January).
The insulation tip is gold, though. I once tried to skip it in my own place—big mistake. Ended up with a closet that felt like a rainforest on one side and an icebox on the other. Live and learn.
Clutter is its own beast... I swear shoes breed in dark corners. If you can actually see the floor, you’re already winning. And those sticky hair products? Been there, cleaned that mess off shelves more times than I care to admit. Sealed bins are underrated—plus, they hide all evidence of my failed attempts at organizing.
Cutting vents into closet doors always seemed like overkill to me—especially in these old houses where drafts are already a given. I’ve had better luck with a small dehumidifier tucked in the corner and some cedar planks for good measure. Anyone ever try those moisture-absorbing tubs? I’m curious if they actually make a dent or just end up as more clutter.
