Funny you mention sealing up gaps—I went the opposite route in my 1920s place and actually got better results. Tried plugging every draft, but the closets just got stuffier and the air felt trapped, almost like I’d wrapped my sweaters in a wet towel. Turned out, my old house just needed to breathe a bit more. I ended up installing a tiny vent near the closet ceiling (nothing fancy, just a louvered one from the hardware store), and things improved overnight. I guess some of these houses are like cranky old relatives: close them up too tight and they start to complain.
If anyone’s still fighting that musty smell, maybe try encouraging a little airflow before going full-on insulation mode. Sometimes it’s less about keeping everything out and more about letting the house do its thing. Old homes really do have a mind of their own...
Totally get where you’re coming from—old houses are a different beast. I’ve seen folks seal every crack, only to end up with more moisture and that stale, “grandma’s attic” vibe. Here’s what I usually suggest:
1. Check for obvious leaks or water issues first—sometimes it’s not just airflow.
2. If things are dry, add a vent like you did, but make sure it’s not letting in too much outside humidity (especially in summer).
3. Try a small fan or even just leaving the closet door cracked sometimes.
It’s a balancing act. Too tight, and you get must; too loose, and you risk drafts or even pests. Every house seems to have its own sweet spot...
Funny thing—I used to swear by leaving closet doors cracked, but in one of my flips, that actually made things worse. The humidity from the rest of the house just crept in and settled right on my winter coats. Ended up running a dehumidifier in that room for a while, which worked better than any vent or fan. Sometimes it’s less about airflow and more about pulling moisture out altogether, especially in those old plaster-walled places. Every house really does have its own quirks...
That’s wild—I’ve seen the same thing happen in a 1920s bungalow I worked on. The owner was convinced cracked doors would “let it breathe,” but all it did was invite more damp air from the hallway. Ended up with a closet that smelled like a wet dog and a client who thought her cashmere was ruined. I’m with you: sometimes you just need to go straight for the dehumidifier, especially in those old houses where the walls seem to sweat if you look at them wrong. Airflow’s great, but moisture control is a whole different beast.
Yeah, I’ve run into that “let it breathe” logic too, and it rarely works in these old places. Did you ever try sealing up the closet and running a small desiccant dehumidifier inside? Sometimes just blocking off the hallway air makes a huge difference. I’ve also had luck with vapor barriers on the back wall—though that can get tricky if the plaster’s already compromised. Curious if you ever found a long-term fix, or is it just constant maintenance?