Great advice overall, but before cutting into drywall, have you tried using one of those cheap moisture meters first? Picked one up online for under 20 bucks when I had similar issues. It helped pinpoint exactly where the dampness was coming from without making unnecessary holes. Also, is it worse after heavy rains or showers? My closet mold turned out to be a combo of poor bathroom ventilation and condensation from cold walls—no plumbing leaks at all. Ended up adding a small exhaust fan and insulating that exterior wall, and it cleared things right up. Definitely cheaper than tearing out drywall or chasing phantom leaks. Mold and frizzy hair though... sounds like my entire first apartment experience. Hang in there, it gets better!
Seconding the moisture meter idea, saved me from tearing apart half my bedroom wall last year. Turns out my moldy closet was mostly from condensation on a cold exterior wall too. If your hair's frizzing up, sounds like humidity's sky-high—maybe try one of those little humidity absorber tubs (the cheap ones with silica beads)? They're surprisingly effective for small spaces. Anyway, hang tight... mold issues are annoying but usually fixable without major demo.
Had a similar issue a couple years back—closet on an exterior wall, mold kept popping up no matter how often I cleaned it. Ended up insulating the wall properly and adding a small vent to improve airflow. Those silica bead tubs are decent for minor humidity, but if it's consistently damp enough to frizz your hair, you might need something stronger like a compact dehumidifier. Worked wonders for me, and no mold since.
Had a similar problem in my old place, and honestly, insulation and vents sound great but were kinda out of my budget at the time. Ended up grabbing one of those mini dehumidifiers off Amazon—nothing fancy, just a basic compact one. It didn't totally solve the frizzy hair issue (humidity's stubborn!), but it made a noticeable difference with the mold. Also started leaving the closet door cracked open more often... seemed to help airflow a bit. Worth a shot if you're looking for a cheaper fix.
Did you notice any difference in mold buildup depending on what material your closet shelves were made of? I've found wood shelves seem to attract mold faster than wire or metal ones... curious if that's just me.
