Honestly, the vent fan idea sounds smart, but I'm not sure I'd risk drilling through drywall either—my DIY attempts usually end with me apologizing to the wall. Have you considered just leaving the closet door cracked open slightly instead? Might not look perfect, but it's cheaper (and safer for walls).
And I've tried DampRid too, but those silica gel packs never worked well for me...maybe my humidity is just extra stubborn? Or I'm doing something wrong, who knows.
"Honestly, the vent fan idea sounds smart, but I'm not sure I'd risk drilling through drywall either—my DIY attempts usually end with me apologizing to the wall."
Haha, I feel this on a spiritual level...my last DIY closet project ended with me sheepishly hanging a framed picture over a suspiciously large hole. Anyway, cracking the door open does help a bit, but if you're dealing with stubborn humidity (like mine), maybe try charcoal bags? They're reusable and seem to absorb moisture better than silica packs. Plus, they look kinda cute tucked into corners or shelves. Worth a shot before you start apologizing to more walls...
"maybe try charcoal bags? They're reusable and seem to absorb moisture better than silica packs."
Charcoal bags are decent for minor humidity, but honestly, if you're already dealing with mold, they're probably not gonna cut it. I've tried them before in my basement closet—ended up having to bite the bullet and install a proper vent fan anyway. Drilling drywall isn't as scary as it seems...just watch a few YouTube vids first and measure twice (or three times). Better than covering holes with artwork, trust me.
"Drilling drywall isn't as scary as it seems...just watch a few YouTube vids first and measure twice (or three times)."
Haha, totally agree—drywall repairs are way less intimidating once you've done it once or twice. Honestly, I found that even a small dehumidifier made a huge difference in my closet. It wasn't moldy yet, but clothes always felt damp and smelled musty. Curious though, has anyone tried those moisture-absorbing paints? Wondering if they're legit or just marketing hype...
I've tried moisture-absorbing paint in a small laundry room once, and honestly, the results were pretty underwhelming. It wasn't terrible or anything, but it didn't really seem to make a noticeable difference compared to regular paint. I think they're more effective as a minor supplement rather than a standalone solution—especially for something like a closet where airflow is limited.
In my experience, proper ventilation and humidity control are way more effective. If you've already had luck with a small dehumidifier, consider adding some passive moisture absorbers like silica gel or calcium chloride packs. They're cheap, easy to replace, and surprisingly effective for enclosed spaces.
Also, make sure your closet doors aren't completely airtight—sometimes just leaving them slightly ajar or installing vented doors can help a lot. Good luck with the mustiness; I've been there myself and know how annoying it can be...
