I’ve been down this road with closets that just refuse to stay dry, and I agree—airflow is underrated. I used to think those moisture absorber tubs were the answer too, but honestly, they’re more of a band-aid than a solution. They fill up fast and don’t really tackle the root cause if you’ve got persistent humidity.
Dehumidifiers are great, but yeah, they can be a bit of an energy hog if you’re not careful. I ended up getting one with a built-in humidistat so it only kicks on when the humidity creeps above a certain level. That helped keep the bills in check without sacrificing results. If you haven’t tried that kind yet, it might be worth looking into.
One thing I’d add—if your closet backs up against an exterior wall or is in a corner of the house that doesn’t get much sun, you might want to check for any small leaks or cracks letting in moisture from outside. I found a tiny gap near the baseboard in mine that was letting damp air seep in every time it rained. Sealing that up made a bigger difference than any product I bought.
As for frizzy hair...I feel your pain there too. Humidity just wrecks my mornings sometimes. A friend swears by keeping a little bowl of baking soda or rice in her closet to absorb extra moisture (kind of like those silica gel packets), but I haven’t noticed much improvement myself.
At the end of the day, nothing beats just letting air move through and not overstuffing the closet. It’s not glamorous advice, but it works better than most “miracle” fixes out there. Sometimes low-tech really is best—even if it means living with your closet door open half the time and explaining to guests why your fan is pointed at your shoes...
You’re spot on about airflow—people underestimate how much just cracking the door or running a fan can help. I’ve seen a lot of folks throw money at fancy gadgets, but unless you address the source (like you did with that baseboard gap), it’s just treating symptoms. I’d add: sometimes closet shelving can block air movement too, especially those solid wood ones. Swapping for wire racks made a difference in a couple rentals I’ve managed. Not glamorous, but it works. And yeah, the frizzy hair struggle is real... humidity finds a way.
Wire racks really do make a difference—funny how something so basic can help more than those pricey dehumidifiers sometimes. I once tried one of those closet air purifiers, but honestly, just leaving the door cracked did more. Have you ever tried those moisture absorber tubs? I’m never sure if they’re actually helping or just collecting dust. Also, does anyone else notice their shoes get musty way faster in summer?
I actually think the dehumidifiers do more than people give them credit for, especially in older homes where airflow’s a pain. Those moisture absorber tubs help a little, but they fill up fast and honestly, I always forget to empty them. For shoes, have you tried cedar inserts? They seem to slow the mustiness for me, though nothing’s perfect when humidity spikes.
You’re right about dehumidifiers—they’re underrated, especially in drafty old houses where you can’t count on good airflow. I’ve found the tubs are more hassle than help, honestly. Cedar inserts are a solid call for shoes, though I’ve had mixed luck with them when it’s really muggy. If you ever get tired of emptying tubs, maybe look into a small energy-efficient dehumidifier for the closet itself? It made a bigger difference than I expected. Mold’s stubborn, but every little bit helps.
