"Cedar blocks...yeah, same experience here, nice scent but zero mold help."
Haha, glad I'm not the only one who fell for the cedar block hype. I remember stuffing my closets full of those things thinking they'd magically banish mold forever. Nope—just ended up with moldy clothes that smelled vaguely like a forest. Curious though, did adding the vent noticeably affect your heating or cooling bills? I've been hesitant to cut into walls again after my last DIY fiasco...
I've been hesitant to cut into walls again after my last DIY fiasco...
I totally get your hesitation about cutting into walls again—been there, done that, still patching plaster. But honestly, adding a vent was one of the few DIY projects that actually paid off for us. Didn't notice any real spike in heating or cooling costs, maybe a tiny bump during super humid months, but nothing dramatic. If you're nervous about permanent changes, have you thought about trying a small dehumidifier first? Could help you test out the moisture reduction without committing to wall surgery...
I hear you on the vent thing, but honestly, a dehumidifier can end up being a bit of an energy hog if you're running it constantly. I tried one in our basement closet last summer, and yeah, it helped with the moldy smell and frizz (my hair was thankful), but I wasn't thrilled about seeing my electric bill creep up month after month. Plus, emptying the water tank got old real quick—it's like adopting another needy houseplant or something.
If you're feeling creative and want to avoid wall surgery, have you considered some moisture-absorbing plants instead? Peace lilies and Boston ferns are surprisingly good at pulling humidity out of the air. I put a few in my bedroom closet area and noticed a difference within weeks. Bonus: they look way nicer than plastic boxes humming away in the corner. Just throwing another idea out there...
"Plus, emptying the water tank got old real quick—it's like adopting another needy houseplant or something."
Haha, I felt this one. I tried the dehumidifier route too, and while it did help, the constant emptying was a chore I didn't sign up for. Eventually, I went with a more passive solution that worked surprisingly well: activated charcoal bags. They're pretty cheap online, reusable (just put them out in the sun every month or so to recharge), and zero electricity needed. I hung a couple in my closet and tossed one in each shoe rack—noticed a difference within days.
Plants are great too, but if you're like me and sometimes forget watering schedules (RIP my poor Boston fern...), charcoal bags might be your best bet. Plus, they're small enough to tuck away discreetly if aesthetics matter to you. Just another option to consider before you start knocking holes in walls or adopting more needy greenery...
Activated charcoal bags, huh? Never thought of that. Are they really that effective long-term, or do you find yourself having to replace them often? I’ve been down the dehumidifier road myself—felt like I was babysitting another appliance. And yeah, plants...let's just say my spider plant barely survived my last vacation (poor thing).
I ended up trying those moisture absorber tubs from the hardware store, which worked okay-ish, but the refills got pricey after a while. Plus, there's always that awkward moment when guests spot these weird containers tucked in random corners of your closet...
Maybe charcoal bags are worth a shot—do they help with musty smells too, or is it mostly just moisture control? Because honestly, anything beats emptying tanks or explaining mysterious tubs to visitors.
