That’s wild—closets really are mold magnets if you’re not careful. I’ve run into a few where you open the door and just get hit with that musty smell. Like you said, sometimes it’s not about fancy fixes. I’ve found that just clearing out the clutter and switching to something breathable for the door makes a world of difference. I actually tried using cedar planks once, thinking it’d help with both moisture and the smell, but honestly, better airflow did more than the cedar ever could.
“Sometimes it’s not about fancy fixes, just letting things dry out naturally.”
Couldn’t agree more there. People always want to jump to expensive solutions, but half the time it’s just about letting air move. Funny how the simplest stuff works best. Mold hates fresh air... and so does frizzy hair, come to think of it.
Funny you mention cedar—I’ve had clients swear by it, but in my experience, unless you’re dealing with moths, it’s more of a nice scent than a real fix for moisture. Airflow is king. I usually recommend louvered doors or even just leaving the closet cracked open a bit. Have you ever tried adding a small fan or vent? Sometimes that’s all it takes, especially in older homes where air just doesn’t circulate. Curious if anyone’s found a good balance between airflow and keeping dust out...
Finding that balance between airflow and dust is tougher than it looks, especially when you’re just starting out with home projects. I’ve tried the cedar route too, but like you said, it’s more about the smell than actually keeping things dry. Maybe it helps a bit with the mustiness, but it didn’t solve my closet issue.
Honestly, propping the door open feels like the most low-tech fix, but it’s surprisingly effective. I was hesitant at first—didn’t want my clothes getting dusty or my cat making a bed out of my shoes—but after a couple weeks, the difference in moisture was obvious. I did notice more dust, though, which is annoying. I ended up adding a cheap draft blocker at the bottom to keep stuff from blowing in, and that helped some.
I did try a small fan for a while, but it was kind of a pain to have another thing plugged in and running all the time. Maybe if you have an outlet right there it’s less hassle. I’ve seen some people install those little battery-powered closet fans, but I’m not convinced they move enough air to really matter.
One thing I wish I’d done from the start is just go with louvered doors. They’re not my favorite look, but they let air flow and cut down on the dust. If you’re not ready to swap doors, maybe just cracking the door open at night is enough. It’s not perfect, but it’s a step up from the dampness and that weird smell.
Anyway, don’t get discouraged. Seems like everyone’s got their own weird combo of hacks for this sort of thing. Trial and error is half the fun (or frustration) of fixing up old houses, right?
You’re not wrong about the louvered doors—they’re not exactly a style statement, but man, they do the job. I’ve had to make peace with a few “ugly but functional” fixes in my place too. The draft blocker idea is clever, hadn’t thought of that for closet dust. It’s wild how much trial and error goes into something as basic as keeping clothes dry and hair under control. At least you’re making progress, even if it’s not perfect. Sometimes it really is about picking your battles with these old houses...
Louvered doors are definitely a compromise—never loved the look, but they do help with airflow. If you’re still fighting closet dampness, you might try a small rechargeable dehumidifier inside. They’re not expensive and don’t use much energy. For frizzy hair, I’ve found a simple vent fan in the bathroom makes a bigger difference than any product. Old houses keep you humble, that’s for sure...
