my battle with moldy closets and frizzy hair

I’ve tried those moisture absorber tubs too, and while they do help a bit, I always end up forgetting about them until I notice a puddle or that weird chemical smell. Honestly, I’ve had better ...

I get what you’re saying about the rechargeable dehumidifier, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience. Those little tubs aren’t perfect, but I like that I don’t have to worry about cords or finding an outlet in an old house. Plus, less plastic waste if you get the refillable kind. Still, I totally relate to the “musty wall of air” - sometimes I feel like I’m walking into a basement every time I open the closet.

Title: My Battle With Moldy Closets And Frizzy Hair

Funny you mention the refillable tubs - I’ve seen people forget about those and end up with a science experiment growing in the corner. I hear you on the outlet issue, though. Some of these old houses barely have enough plugs for lamps, let alone gadgets. Ever tried just cracking the closet door or adding a vent? Sometimes a little airflow does more than any gadget. Not always pretty, but it beats that “basement” vibe...

Cracking the closet door definitely helps, but I’ve found it only goes so far if the humidity’s high - especially in older houses where airflow’s already kind of a joke. One thing I tried was drilling a few small holes at the top and bottom of the closet door (hidden behind clothes, so not too ugly). It made a surprising difference. Ever thought about using natural moisture absorbers, like charcoal bags or even just a bowl of baking soda? I’m always curious if those actually work long-term or if it’s just a placebo effect...

Ever thought about using natural moisture absorbers, like charcoal bags or even just a bowl of baking soda? I’m always curious if those actually work long-term or if it’s just a placebo effect...

I get what you mean about airflow being a joke in older houses, but I’m not totally sold on the “drill holes in the door” approach. In my experience, that can sometimes just let the humidity in from the rest of the house, unless you’re running a dehumidifier nearby. Those charcoal bags - tried ‘em in a rental once. They helped with musty smell, but didn’t do much for actual moisture over time. Ever tried those small rechargeable dehumidifiers? They’re not perfect, but I’ve had better luck with those than baking soda or charcoal.

Rechargeable dehumidifiers are actually pretty interesting - I picked up a couple for a flip last year where the closets were always damp. They did a better job than I expected, but you have to remember to “recharge” them every week or two, which is kind of a pain if you’re forgetful like me. I get what you’re saying about charcoal bags. They’re decent for odors, but I’ve never seen them make a dent in actual humidity levels, especially in a closed space.

Have you ever tried those moisture absorber tubs (like DampRid)? I’m always curious if they work better than the DIY stuff. I’ve used them in crawlspaces and they seem to fill up pretty quick, but I wonder if that’s just because the air is so bad down there to begin with. Also, does anyone else think drilling holes in doors just makes the closet colder and doesn’t really fix the root problem? I feel like unless you tackle the source of the moisture, it’s just a band-aid.

Have you ever tried those moisture absorber tubs (like DampRid)?

Drilling holes in closet doors always feels like a last-ditch move to me. I get the theory - more airflow, less moisture - but you’re right, it just makes the space colder and doesn’t actually address where the dampness is coming from. I’ve seen people do it and still end up with moldy shoes.

About those DampRid tubs, I’ve used them for clients in old houses with no real ventilation options. They do suck up a surprising amount of water, but honestly, they’re more of a stopgap than a solution. If you’re seeing them fill up super fast in crawlspaces, that’s probably telling you there’s a bigger humidity issue at play. In my experience, nothing beats actually finding and fixing the source - leaky pipes, poor insulation, or even just too many clothes packed in tight.

Charcoal bags are fine for odors but yeah, not much help for actual moisture. If you’re forgetful about recharging dehumidifiers (which is totally fair), maybe look into a small plug-in unit if you have an outlet nearby? It’s less maintenance and more reliable long-term.

Yeah, I totally get that frustration. I’ve had a few rentals with stubborn closet moisture, and it’s wild how quickly those DampRid tubs fill up. You’re right, though - they’re more like a band-aid than a cure. Sometimes it’s just about managing what you can until you figure out the root cause. Don’t beat yourself up if you haven’t cracked it yet. Even seasoned folks run into these headaches. Hang in there... you’re definitely not alone.

Sometimes it’s just about managing what you can until you figure out the root cause.

Man, isn’t that the truth? Ever tried putting a cheap hygrometer in there to see how bad it actually gets? I once found a leaky pipe behind a closet wall - took me months to figure out. Did you check for any weird drafts or hidden plumbing? Sometimes it’s not just humidity, it’s a combo of stuff. And yeah, DampRid feels like a losing battle sometimes... but at least it keeps the shoes from smelling like a swamp, right?

And yeah, DampRid feels like a losing battle sometimes... but at least it keeps the shoes from smelling like a swamp, right?

You nailed it - sometimes it’s just about keeping things livable while you hunt for the real culprit. I’ve been there, tearing out baseboards and poking around with a flashlight, convinced I’d find a secret river under the floor. Don’t underestimate those little gadgets like hygrometers, though. They can surprise you. And hey, even if it’s a slog, every step you take is progress. Moldy closets and frizzy hair are no match for stubborn persistence.

Totally get where you're coming from - DampRid is like a band-aid for a leaky boat sometimes. I swear, I’ve tried everything from baking soda to running a box fan in the closet 24/7. One thing that helped a bit was putting those silica gel packets in shoes and pockets. Not a miracle, but at least my sneakers don’t reek anymore. It’s wild how much humidity can mess with both your stuff and your hair... feels like a never-ending battle some days.

Man, I hear you on the humidity struggle. I used to think DampRid was the answer too, but after a while it just felt like I was throwing money at the problem. I ended up getting a small dehumidifier for my closet - wasn’t cheap, but honestly, it made a bigger difference than all the packets and powders combined. My clothes don’t get that musty smell anymore, and my hair’s not quite as wild in the mornings. It’s not perfect, but it’s way less of a headache now.

I get the appeal of a dehumidifier, but I’ve always wondered about the energy trade-off. Have you tried improving airflow or using natural materials like cedar or bamboo? I lined my closet with cedar planks last year - smells amazing, and it’s kept things pretty fresh without plugging in anything. Not a total fix, but it’s a lower-impact option if you’re trying to cut down on electricity.

CEDAR SMELLS GREAT, BUT MY SOCKS STILL GOT FUZZY

Cedar planks are a classic move - nothing like opening a closet and getting that whiff of “grandpa’s cabin.” I’ve installed them for folks who swear by the scent and the bug-repelling magic. But, if I’m being honest, I’ve seen cedar lose the battle when humidity’s really cranking. In my own house, I tried cedar blocks, bamboo charcoal bags, even left the closet doors open for weeks. Still ended up with sweaters that could double as science experiments.

Eventually, I caved and put in a small vent fan on a timer. Not as eco-friendly as cedar, but it’s made a world of difference. My hair still frizzes up like a poodle on rainy days, but at least my shoes don’t smell like a biology project. Sometimes you gotta pick your battles... and your dehumidifiers.

VENT FAN VS. DEHUMIDIFIER - MY TAKE

“Eventually, I caved and put in a small vent fan on a timer. Not as eco-friendly as cedar, but it’s made a world of difference.”

I get the appeal of the vent fan, but honestly, I’ve had better luck just biting the bullet and running a dehumidifier. Here’s why:

- Vent fans only help if you’ve got decent airflow from outside. If your house is like mine - old, tight, not much breeze - you’re just circulating damp air.
- Dehumidifiers actually pull the moisture out. I set mine to 50% and forget it. No more fuzzy socks or sweaters that smell like gym class.
- Cedar’s nice for scent and bugs, but it’s not magic against real humidity issues.

Downside: dehumidifiers aren’t cheap to run, and they need emptying (unless you plumb a drain line). But for me, it’s been way more effective than fans or cedar blocks.

If you’re in a really humid area, sometimes you gotta go with what works - even if it means plugging in another appliance.

Moldy closets and frizzy hair - been there, suffered through that. I tried the vent fan route first, thinking it’d be a quick fix, but honestly, it just moved the muggy air around. My turning point was when I found green fuzz on my favorite boots... gross. Dehumidifier changed the game for me too. Yeah, it’s not cheap to run, but neither is replacing half your wardrobe or fighting off endless bad hair days. Sometimes you just have to pick the tool that actually works, even if it’s not the “greenest” option out there.

Man, the green fuzz on boots is a rite of passage for anyone living in a humid climate. I once opened a closet in one of my rentals and it looked like a science experiment gone wrong - think “Attack of the Killer Loafers.” Tried the vent fan trick too, but all it did was make my socks flap around like they were at a rock concert. Ended up biting the bullet and getting dehumidifiers for every unit. Not cheap, but neither is refunding tenants for ruined shoes or dealing with angry calls about “mystery smells.”

Honestly, I get the whole energy-saving thing, but sometimes you just gotta do what works. Mold doesn’t care about your electric bill or eco-credentials. And frizzy hair? That’s just the universe’s way of reminding us who’s boss.

Man, I hear you on the dehumidifiers. I used to think those little moisture absorber tubs would do the trick - nope, just ended up with soggy crystals and still had that “old gym bag” smell. I’ve even tried leaving closet doors cracked, but then you get dust bunnies moving in. At this point, I just factor in the cost of a decent dehumidifier when I’m budgeting for a flip in humid areas. It’s not glamorous, but neither is scraping green fuzz off leather boots.

- Those moisture tubs are a scam, right? I swear they just turn into sad little puddles and the closet still smells like a wet dog.
- Tried the “leave the door open” trick too. Ended up with a dust bunny colony and a cat who thought it was his new nap spot.
- At this point, I just budget for a solid dehumidifier. Not cheap, but neither is tossing out moldy shoes every year.
- Pro tip: if you ever find a way to keep both humidity and dust out, patent it. You’ll be rich.

I wouldn’t write off those moisture tubs entirely - they do have their place, but you’ve got to use enough of them and swap them out regularly. They’re more of a stopgap than a solution, though. I’ve actually had some luck with installing a small vent or louver in closet doors, especially if you can get a bit of passive airflow going. It’s not as effective as a dehumidifier, but it’s less noisy and doesn’t eat up electricity. Just takes a bit of effort upfront. Mold’s a pain, but sometimes it’s about layering a few fixes rather than hoping for one magic bullet.

I tried those moisture tubs for a while, but honestly, I kept forgetting to swap them out and they’d just sit there full of water... not great. Ended up cutting a vent into the closet door like you mentioned, and it made a bigger difference than I expected. I also started leaving the door cracked open when I could. It’s not perfect, but my clothes don’t smell musty anymore and my hair isn’t quite as frizzy in the mornings. Sometimes it’s just about stacking a few small changes, I guess.