my battle with moldy closets and frizzy hair

Interesting point about placement - I hadn't thought about hanging charcoal bags higher up. I usually just toss mine on the floor or shelf, and honestly, results have been mixed. I'll definitely try hanging them next time.

Funny you mention humidity and hair frizz; reminds me of when I lived in Florida for a bit. The humidity there was brutal, and nothing I tried seemed to work consistently. Eventually, someone suggested using a tiny bit of argan oil on damp hair, and surprisingly, it helped tame things down quite a bit. Still not perfect, but better than looking like I'd stuck my finger in an electrical socket...

Speaking of closets though, have you ever tried using those small rechargeable dehumidifiers instead of charcoal bags? I've seen them around but haven't tested them myself yet. Curious if they're worth the switch or just another gimmick.

I've actually tried one of those small rechargeable dehumidifiers you're talking about, and honestly, they're pretty decent. I wouldn't call them a gimmick exactly, but they're definitely not miracle workers either. I used one in a small linen closet that always seemed a bit damp, and it did noticeably reduce the musty smell and moisture. The nice thing is you don't have to replace them constantly like charcoal bags - just plug them in every couple of weeks to dry out.

That said, for larger spaces or closets with serious moisture issues, they're probably not enough on their own. I still prefer using them alongside charcoal bags or silica packets for extra protection. And yeah, argan oil is great - I lived in Savannah for a while, and my hair was basically a humidity detector... argan oil was one of the few things that made me look somewhat presentable. Have you ever tried leave-in conditioners? Sometimes that helps tame the frizz too, especially if your hair's on the thicker side.

I've had decent luck with those rechargeable ones too, especially in smaller spaces. For bigger closets though, I've found that improving airflow helps a lot - like adding a vent or even just leaving the door cracked open sometimes. As for frizzy hair, argan oil is solid, but have you ever tried hair serums? They're a bit lighter than leave-ins and don't weigh my hair down as much... might be worth a shot if you haven't yet.

Improving airflow definitely helps, but have you checked if your closet walls are insulated properly? Sometimes mold issues come from temperature differences causing condensation... might be worth looking into before adding vents or fans. Also, hair serums - any brand you'd recommend for fine hair?

Good point about insulation - temperature swings definitely cause condensation issues. Had a similar problem in my basement closet, and adding some rigid foam insulation behind the drywall made a noticeable difference. Worth checking out before investing in fans or vents.

As for hair serums, my wife swears by the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum. She has fine hair too, and it smooths frizz without weighing it down. Might be worth a shot...

Had a similar issue with mold in a client's bedroom closet a couple years back. They'd tried everything - fans, moisture absorbers, even repainting multiple times - but nothing really stuck. Turned out the exterior wall behind the closet wasn't insulated properly, so temperature swings were causing condensation behind the drywall. We ended up pulling off the drywall, adding rigid foam insulation, and sealing it up tight. Problem solved, no more moldy clothes or musty smells.

Funny you mention hair serums too... my daughter has fine hair and struggled with frizz forever. She tried that Paul Mitchell serum your wife uses, but it didn't quite do the trick for her. Eventually she landed on Moroccan Oil Light - it's a bit pricier, but she swears by it now. Guess everyone's hair reacts differently to these things...

Had a similar experience in our historic home - mold kept popping up in the upstairs closets. Turns out, older homes often have inadequate vapor barriers, so even with insulation, moisture can still seep through. We ended up adding a proper vapor barrier behind the drywall along with insulation, and that finally did the trick.

As for hair serums...my wife swears by Living Proof's anti-frizz stuff. Pricey too, but she says it's worth every penny. Guess it's trial and error for everyone...

Good call on the vapor barrier - older homes can be tricky like that. Glad you got it sorted. And yeah, Living Proof is solid stuff, though I've found cheaper serums sometimes do the job just as well...depends on hair type, I guess.

- Vapor barrier was definitely a smart move, but I'm curious - did you check ventilation too? I've seen cases where people go all-in on barriers but overlook airflow, and mold sneaks back in anyway.

- On the hair serum thing, gotta mildly disagree here. I've tried Living Proof and a bunch of cheaper serums, and honestly, the pricier stuff usually does make a noticeable difference for me. Maybe it's psychological, but I swear my hair feels less weighed down and greasy with the higher-end brands. Could just be my hair type though - fine and super prone to frizz.

- Also, random thought: have you considered humidity control devices like mini dehumidifiers or even those moisture-absorbing packets? I know they're not a permanent fix, but they've saved my closets more than once, especially in older apartments where structural fixes weren't an option.

- And speaking of closets...anyone else find cedar blocks overrated? I tried them for a while, but honestly didn't notice much difference. Maybe I was doing it wrong, but they just ended up smelling nice without actually helping with moisture or mold.

Anyway, glad you got things sorted out - older homes are charming but definitely keep us on our toes.

Ventilation's definitely key - I learned that the hard way. After sealing up my closets tight with vapor barriers, mold still crept back until I added a small vent. Cedar blocks...yeah, same experience here, nice scent but zero mold help.

"Cedar blocks...yeah, same experience here, nice scent but zero mold help."

Haha, glad I'm not the only one who fell for the cedar block hype. I remember stuffing my closets full of those things thinking they'd magically banish mold forever. Nope - just ended up with moldy clothes that smelled vaguely like a forest. Curious though, did adding the vent noticeably affect your heating or cooling bills? I've been hesitant to cut into walls again after my last DIY fiasco...

I've been hesitant to cut into walls again after my last DIY fiasco...

I totally get your hesitation about cutting into walls again - been there, done that, still patching plaster. But honestly, adding a vent was one of the few DIY projects that actually paid off for us. Didn't notice any real spike in heating or cooling costs, maybe a tiny bump during super humid months, but nothing dramatic. If you're nervous about permanent changes, have you thought about trying a small dehumidifier first? Could help you test out the moisture reduction without committing to wall surgery...

I hear you on the vent thing, but honestly, a dehumidifier can end up being a bit of an energy hog if you're running it constantly. I tried one in our basement closet last summer, and yeah, it helped with the moldy smell and frizz (my hair was thankful), but I wasn't thrilled about seeing my electric bill creep up month after month. Plus, emptying the water tank got old real quick - it's like adopting another needy houseplant or something.

If you're feeling creative and want to avoid wall surgery, have you considered some moisture-absorbing plants instead? Peace lilies and Boston ferns are surprisingly good at pulling humidity out of the air. I put a few in my bedroom closet area and noticed a difference within weeks. Bonus: they look way nicer than plastic boxes humming away in the corner. Just throwing another idea out there...

"Plus, emptying the water tank got old real quick - it's like adopting another needy houseplant or something."

Haha, I felt this one. I tried the dehumidifier route too, and while it did help, the constant emptying was a chore I didn't sign up for. Eventually, I went with a more passive solution that worked surprisingly well: activated charcoal bags. They're pretty cheap online, reusable (just put them out in the sun every month or so to recharge), and zero electricity needed. I hung a couple in my closet and tossed one in each shoe rack - noticed a difference within days.

Plants are great too, but if you're like me and sometimes forget watering schedules (RIP my poor Boston fern...), charcoal bags might be your best bet. Plus, they're small enough to tuck away discreetly if aesthetics matter to you. Just another option to consider before you start knocking holes in walls or adopting more needy greenery...

Activated charcoal bags, huh? Never thought of that. Are they really that effective long-term, or do you find yourself having to replace them often? I’ve been down the dehumidifier road myself - felt like I was babysitting another appliance. And yeah, plants...let's just say my spider plant barely survived my last vacation (poor thing).

I ended up trying those moisture absorber tubs from the hardware store, which worked okay-ish, but the refills got pricey after a while. Plus, there's always that awkward moment when guests spot these weird containers tucked in random corners of your closet...

Maybe charcoal bags are worth a shot - do they help with musty smells too, or is it mostly just moisture control? Because honestly, anything beats emptying tanks or explaining mysterious tubs to visitors.

I've been using activated charcoal bags for a couple years now, and honestly, they've been surprisingly effective. I was skeptical at first too - especially after dealing with those moisture tubs (ugh, the awkward guest explanations!). But the charcoal bags really do help with musty odors as well as moisture. My basement closet used to smell like an old library (not in a charming way), and after hanging a couple bags in there, the smell noticeably improved within a week or two.

As far as longevity goes, I just put mine out in the sun every month or so to "recharge" them, and they've held up pretty well. Eventually you'll need to replace them - mine lasted around two years before I felt they weren't doing the job anymore - but that's still way less hassle than emptying dehumidifier tanks or buying refills constantly.

And hey, don't feel bad about your spider plant...I once killed a succulent by overwatering it. Still haven't lived that one down.

"Eventually you'll need to replace them - mine lasted around two years before I felt they weren't doing the job anymore - but that's still way less hassle than emptying dehumidifier tanks or buying refills constantly."

Interesting, I've been debating between charcoal bags and a small electric dehumidifier for my laundry room. Do you think the charcoal bags would handle a space with frequent moisture spikes, like after running the dryer? I'm curious if they'd keep up or if I'd still end up needing something more heavy-duty...

Do you think the charcoal bags would handle a space with frequent moisture spikes, like after running the dryer?

I tried charcoal bags in my basement laundry room for a while, and honestly, they struggled after heavy laundry days. They're fine for closets or smaller spaces, but for frequent moisture spikes, I'd lean toward something electric - despite the hassle of emptying tanks occasionally.

Yeah, charcoal bags are decent for mild humidity, but they're not miracle workers. I had a client who tried them in her laundry area, and she ended up switching to a compact electric dehumidifier. It was a bit of a pain emptying the tank, but she said it made a huge difference. Sounds like you're on the right track considering something electric - your hair (and closets) will thank you later, trust me.

Have you checked if your closet doors are solid or louvered? I've noticed that closets with solid doors tend to trap moisture way more easily. Had a client who swapped hers out for louvered doors, and she said it really helped air circulate better. Also, do you have an exhaust fan or vent nearby? Sometimes just improving airflow in the room can make a noticeable difference without having to constantly empty a dehumidifier tank.

As for the frizzy hair struggle...have you tried one of those ionic hair dryers? My sister swears by hers - claims it tames the humidity-induced frizz pretty well. Might be worth looking into if you're already considering electric solutions anyway.