I hear you on the airflow thing—sometimes it feels like closets have their own microclimate. I’ve had tenants swear by those mini dehumidifiers too, especially in older places where the insulation’s seen better days. Charcoal bags are okay for a quick fix, but they’re kind of like putting a band-aid on a leaky pipe. Honestly, I’ve even seen folks use DampRid buckets and just swap them out every few months. Not glamorous, but hey, if it keeps the mold and frizz at bay, worth it.
I swear, my closet’s like a rainforest in July—except instead of parrots, it’s just my sweaters getting musty. Tried those charcoal bags and honestly, they lasted about as long as my willpower on laundry day. Ended up going full DIY: drilled a couple tiny holes in the closet door for airflow (don’t tell my landlord), tossed in a DampRid bucket, and started leaving the door cracked. Hair’s still frizzy, but at least my shoes don’t smell like old gym socks anymore... progress?
Title: My Battle With Moldy Closets And Frizzy Hair
Man, I feel this in my bones. I once lived in a 1920s rental with closets that seemed to have their own microclimate—like, I half-expected to find mushrooms growing in my boots. Tried those little silica gel packs at first, but they just ended up as sad, soggy lumps at the bottom of the laundry basket.
I’ll admit, I got a little carried away and went full MacGyver: cut a vent into the closet wall (behind a hanging jacket, so the landlord wouldn’t notice), then rigged up a tiny USB fan to keep air moving. It was a little janky, but it actually helped. The DampRid buckets are a solid move, though. Those things can suck the moisture out of a swimming pool, I swear.
Funny thing is, the more I tried to dry out the closet, the worse my hair got. Like, the universe was determined to keep some humidity in my life. Ended up switching to a leave-in conditioner and just embracing the frizz. At least my sweaters stopped smelling like a forgotten lunchbox.
If you ever get desperate, I’ve heard some folks use those little closet dehumidifiers you plug in and recharge. Never tried one myself, but I’m tempted every time summer rolls around. Anyway, hats off for the creative airflow solution—sometimes you just gotta poke a few holes and hope for the best.
I’ll admit, I got a little carried away and went full MacGyver: cut a vent into the closet wall (behind a hanging jacket, so the landlord wouldn’t notice), then rigged up a tiny USB fan to keep air moving.
That’s some next-level problem solving. I’ve definitely been there—old houses just seem to collect moisture like it’s their job. Here’s what’s worked for me over the years:
- Those rechargeable closet dehumidifiers you mentioned? Worth a shot. They’re not miracle workers, but they do help with small spaces if you recharge them regularly.
- If you can swing it, swapping out solid closet doors for louvered ones makes a huge difference. More airflow, less mold. Not always an option in rentals, but sometimes you can stash the original doors and put them back later.
- For the frizz: I started using a silk pillowcase and it actually helped more than any product. Not sure why, but my hair stopped looking like I’d been electrocuted every morning.
Honestly, sometimes you just have to pick your battles—dry sweaters or smooth hair. Never both at once... at least not in an old house.
Cutting a vent behind a jacket—now that’s commitment. I’ve seen folks try everything from DampRid buckets to running a small space heater in the closet (not my favorite, but it does dry things out). If you’re handy, even just drilling a few discreet holes at the top and bottom of the closet door can help with airflow. Louvered doors are great, but yeah, not always doable in a rental. For the frizz, I’ve heard some people swear by putting a bowl of rice in the closet to soak up moisture... not sure if it helps hair, but it’s cheap to try. Old houses definitely keep you on your toes.
