Had a similar issue in my old apartment... silica gel packets (the ones you get free with shoes or bags) scattered around the closet helped a lot. Not a miracle fix, but definitely improved things without costing extra. Worth a shot maybe?
I get the appeal of silica gel packets—free and easy—but honestly, I tried them myself and didn't notice much difference. Maybe my closet was just extra damp, who knows. But what actually helped me was a cheap mini-dehumidifier. Yeah, I know, sounds like spending money defeats the purpose, but hear me out: they're not that expensive, especially second-hand or on sale. Picked one up online for under $20, and it really pulled moisture out of the air. Plus, silica packets eventually saturate and stop working unless you dry them out regularly (which I always forgot to do).
Not knocking your idea entirely—it's definitely creative—but if mold's persistent enough to mess with your hair, might be worth stepping it up just a notch beyond shoe-packet territory...
Yeah, silica packets are handy for small spaces or quick fixes, but they're definitely not miracle workers. I had a similar issue in my old apartment—closet was basically a rainforest, and my hair looked like I'd stuck my finger in a socket every morning. Tried the silica packets too, but honestly, they just couldn't keep up.
What finally worked for me was a combo of a mini-dehumidifier (like you mentioned) and a few moisture-absorbing charcoal bags. They're reusable, eco-friendly, and pretty cheap online. You just toss them in the sun every month or so to recharge. Bonus: they don't look as sketchy as a pile of shoe packets scattered around your clothes...
Anyway, mold is stubborn as heck, so sometimes you gotta bring out the bigger guns. Glad you found something that works—frizzy hair solidarity is real.
Had the same issue in my basement closet—felt like stepping into a swamp every morning. Silica packets barely made a dent. What finally helped was:
- DIY moisture traps (cheap dollar-store containers + calcium chloride crystals).
- A small USB-powered fan to keep air moving.
- Hanging dried lavender bundles (bonus: smells great and supposedly mold-resistant?).
Frizz still happens on rainy days, but at least my clothes aren't damp anymore... Small victories, right?
You're definitely on the right track with the calcium chloride traps—those cheap DIY setups work surprisingly well. Had a client with a similar issue in an old Victorian home. Beautiful place, but man, those closets were like mini rainforests. Tried silica gel packs first too, but honestly, they just don't absorb enough moisture to handle persistent humidity.
What finally did the trick was installing a small louvered vent in the closet door—nothing fancy, just a discreet vent near the bottom for better airflow. Also added a low-wattage heating rod (sometimes called "closet heaters" or "rod dehumidifiers") along the back wall. They're low-energy and safe around clothes, and they gently warm the air just enough to prevent condensation. Frizz might still be inevitable on rainy days (trust me, my wife's hair knows all about that struggle...), but at least your clothes won't feel clammy anymore.
Anyway, sounds like you've made some solid progress already—small victories indeed.
