A musty odor coming from your closet can be unpleasant and concerning. This smell is often a sign of excess moisture or mold growth. Thankfully, there are several effective methods to help get rid of a musty closet smell and prevent it from returning.
Find and Remove the Source of the Odor
The first step is identifying and eliminating the source of the musty odor. Here are some common culprits to check for:
Look for Water Damage or Leaks
Inspect the walls, floors, and ceiling of the closet for any signs of water damage, leaks, or excess moisture. Water leaks can cause wet wood, insulation or drywall that becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew growth and produces a musty stench. Fix any plumbing leaks and dry out any damp areas.
Check for Mold Growth
Examine inside the closet walls, floors, ceilings and shelving for any visible mold growth. Mold often appears as fuzzy or powdery colored spots. It thrives on cellulose-based materials when moisture is present. Remove any moldy items from the closet.
Look Inside Ventilation Ducts
Check inside any heating, cooling or ventilation ductwork that is attached to the closet. Mold and mildew can accumulate inside the ducts and spread musty air. Clean out any visible growth with a vacuum hose attachment.
Inspect Insulation Materials
If the closet walls or ceilings are insulated, look for possible mold or mildew within the insulation. Moisture can become trapped and cause odor issues. Consider removing and replacing wet insulation.
Check for Rodent Activity
Look for any signs of mice or other rodents nesting inside the closet. Droppings, nesting materials and urine can all create a musky, unpleasant smell. Use humane traps to remove rodents and clean up any remnants.
Examine Stored Items and Fabrics
Go through all storage boxes, clothing and other items kept in the closet. Fabrics, books, papers and other belongings can develop musty odors if dampness is present. Launder or air out any smelly items.
Once any sources of excess moisture or mold are identified and removed, take steps to fully dry out the closet before sealing it back up. A dehumidifier or fan can help speed up the drying process.
Kill Existing Mold and Mildew Growth
If there are signs of mold growth inside the closet, take measures to kill the mold and prevent regrowth. Bleach and vinegar solutions are two common household products effective at combating mold.
Use Bleach
For non-porous surfaces like floors, walls and shelving, make a cleaning solution of 1 cup bleach per 1 gallon of water. Use gloves and a mask when handling bleach. Scrub away mold with the bleach solution and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing. Repeat as needed.
Apply Vinegar
For mold on porous materials like drywall, wood or insulation, use white distilled vinegar instead of bleach. The acidic vinegar kills mold and prevents return growth. Spray or wipe vinegar directly on any visible mold. Let it soak in for 1 hour before drying the area.
Scrub With Borax
For tough mold spots, make a paste with borax powder and water. The abrasive borax works to scrub away mold on wood, concrete and other materials. Let the borax paste sit for a few hours before rinsing clean. Wear gloves when using borax.
Replace Moldy Materials
If any insulation, drywall or other building materials show extensive mold damage, replacement may be needed. Porous items with heavy mold growth are difficult to fully clean. Remove and discard any severely moldy materials.
Once treated, allow all sanitize areas to dry completely to avoid recurrence of moisture and mold. Check back in a few days to confirm no new mold growth. Keep the closet clean and dry going forward.
Improve Closet Ventilation
Lack of air circulation is a common cause of persistent musty closet smells. Improve airflow in and around the closet using these handy tips:
Open the Closet Door
Keep the closet door open as much as possible to allow fresh air to move through the space. The less time the door is shut, the less chance for stagnant air and smells to accumulate inside.
Add a Fan or Vent
Install a small vent or fan inside the closet space to improve airflow. An exhaust fan mounted in the ceiling or wall pulls out stale air. Even a portable fan placed on a shelf helps move fresh air through the closet.
Create Space Between Items
Avoid overcrowding the closet space. Leave space between items on the shelves and hanging in the closet. Tightly packed belongings restrict air movement.
Adjust the Central HVAC Vent
Redirect or upgrade the central heating/cooling vent to increase airflow to the closet area. This helps regulate humidity and prevent stagnant air pockets.
Install a Dehumidifier
Use a small dehumidifier inside the closet to control moisture levels. Lower humidity means less chance for mildew and musty smells to develop. Choose a unit appropriately sized for the closet space.
Add a Closet Freshening System
Special ventilated closet freshening systems are available to continually circulate fresh air. These small units mount at the back of the closet and work to prevent odors.
Keeping the air flowing freely in and out of the closet prevents recurrence of unpleasant musty odors.
Absorb Moisture and Odors
There are a variety of moisture and odor absorbing products that can be placed inside a musty closet to help remove dampness and smells from the space.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a powerful natural odor absorber. Place open containers of activated charcoal on closet shelves. The charcoal will soak up odors and moisture from the surrounding air. Replace the charcoal every month or when saturated.
Silica Gel Packets
Silica gel desiccants are effective for absorbing humidity and deodorizing. Place packs of silica gel in the closet to reduce moisture. Reactivate the packs every few weeks by drying them out in the oven or sunlight.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is an inexpensive but highly effective odor and moisture reducer. Place shallow pans of baking soda around the closet. For stronger odor elimination, combine baking soda with drops of essential oils like lemon or eucalyptus.
DampRid
DampRid brand hanging pouches contain calcium chloride crystals that work to draw excess moisture from the air. Hang multiple pouches in the closet to maintain a dry environment and reduce musty smells.
Odor Neutralizers
Specialty odor neutralizing products are available, often containing zeolites or activated charcoal. Use these commercial products according to package directions inside the closet to absorb bad smells over time.
Using moisture absorbing crystals, sachets, or trays helps remove humidity from the air and odor molecules at the source.
Clean Surfaces with Baking Soda
For removing musty odors that have soaked into walls, floors and interior surfaces, baking soda is an effective and natural cleaning solution.
Make a Paste
Mix baking soda with just enough water to form a spreadable paste. The abrasive texture of the paste scrubs away odors and residue.
Apply to Walls and Shelves
Using a sponge or scrub brush, coat the baking soda paste onto walls, along baseboards, and on shelving inside the closet. Spread onto any visibly dirty areas.
Let Sit Overnight
Allow the baking soda paste to sit for 8-12 hours or overnight before rinsing clean. This gives the baking soda time to penetrate and neutralize stubborn odors trapped on surfaces.
Dry Thoroughly
It’s important to completely dry all surfaces after cleaning with baking soda paste. Use a fan or dehumidifier to fully dry the closet interior to prevent any recurring mildew smells.
Repeat the baking soda surface cleaning process weekly or as needed to control closet odors. The baking soda treatment works to scrub away musty smells over time.
Repaint Interior Surfaces
Applying a fresh coat of mildew-resistant interior paint helps seal in any lingering musty smells that have soaked into walls or ceilings. Painting also inhibits recurrence of mold growth.
Choose Mold-Resistant Paint
Look for interior paints marketed as “kitchen & bath” or “mildew-resistant” formulas. These water-based latex paints contain additives to prevent mold and mildew growth.
Remove Existing Paint
To fully block odors, first remove any existing paint or finish from the closet walls and ceilings using chemical stripper. This eliminates any underlying paint layers harboring odors.
Treat Walls with Primer
Before painting, apply an oil-based odor-blocking primer to the stripped walls and ceilings. The primer seals in lingering smells. Allow the primer to dry completely before painting.
Apply Two Coats of Paint
Use a paint roller to apply two full coats of the mold-resistant paint according to manufacturer’s directions. Allow the first coat to dry fully before adding the second finish coat.
Paint Shelves and Trim
Don’t forget to also re-paint the closet shelving, baseboards and any trim or crown molding. Use a small paintbrush for these details.
Fresh paint not only improves appearance, but also acts to seal in musty odors and prevent future mold issues inside the closet.
Increase Room Ventilation
For closet odors that persist even after cleaning the closet itself, improve air circulation in the adjoining room. This helps prevent build-up of stuffy air that travels to the closet.
Open Windows Regularly
Make a point to open windows in the room outside the smelly closet several times per day. This helps cycle fresh air in and flush out stale indoor air.
Run Exhaust Fans
Use bathroom or kitchen exhaust fans to pull air out of the room and draw fresh air in through other open windows and doors. Run fans for 20-30 minutes at a time.
Adjust the AC Vent
Redirect or upgrade the air conditioning vent to increase air flow to the problem room. A HVAC professional may need to inspect the ductwork and ventilation.
Install a Room Dehumidifier
Use a dehumidifier in the main room to reduce overall humidity which contributes to closet smells. Look for Energy Star rated models which remove moisture efficiently.
Upgrade Air Filters
Install higher MERV rated air filters in central heating/cooling systems to better filter dust and allergens out of the indoor air. Change filters per manufacturer recommendations.
Improving overall ventilation and airflow in the adjoining room prevents air stagnation that can lead to recurring closet odors.
Use Smell Removal Devices
For persistent and severe musty odors coming from the closet, specialized electronic and ozone odor removal devices can be used.
Ozone Generators
Ozone generators work by producing ozone gas which oxidizes and destroys odor molecules in the air. Use an ozone machine in the closet for 12-24 hours at high setting. Avoid breathing the ozone directly.
Negative Ionizers
Negative ionizers help eliminate odors by creating negative oxygen ions. Ions cause odor particles in the air to cluster together and fall out of circulation. Place an ionizer inside the smelly closet.
UV Light Systems
Ultraviolet light breaks down odor-causing bacterial and organic compounds at the molecular level. UV systems are available specifically sized for closets.
Air Purifiers
HEPA air purifiers with carbon filters absorb both mold spores and related musty odors from the surrounding air when operated in the closet space.
Electronic smell removal systems work best for severe, persistent odors not fully eliminated through cleaning and deodorizing methods alone. Follow equipment operating directions closely.
Prevent Moisture Buildup
To avoid repeat musty closet smells, the key is keeping the closet interior clean and dry. Here are some tips to prevent excess moisture:
- Inspect for leaks routinely and fix immediately
- Keep closet door open when possible
- Do not overfill closet space
- Allow airflow around stored items
- Use moisture absorbing products
- Maintain dehumidifier or ventilation
- Avoid drying wet clothes inside closet
Checking that the closet remains dry and well-ventilated is vital for preventing the return of unpleasant musty odors.
How to Get Rid of Musty Smell From Closet – FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about eliminating musty odors from closets:
How long does it take to remove a musty smell from a closet?
Depending on the severity of the odor, it can take 1-7 days to fully remove a musty smell from a closet using cleaning, deodorizing and ventilation improvements. Severe cases may require mold remediation and sealing off odors with primer and paint.
What is the fastest way to get rid of musty closet smell?
The fastest way is using an electronic odor removal device like an ozone generator or UV light system. Running the device in the closet for 24 hours can dramatically reduce odors. Combine with deodorizers for fastest effect.
What are natural ways to make closet smell better?
Natural options include opening windows for airflow, placing moisture and odor absorbers like baking soda or activated charcoal inside, cleaning with vinegar and borax, hanging eucalyptus stems, and using essential oil sprays.
How do you keep closets smelling fresh?
Keep closets fresh smelling by regularly cleaning the interior, allowing space between items for airflow, using storage boxes, maintaining ventilation or dehumidification, using closet freshening systems, and placing natural deodorizers inside.
How do you get rid of old closet smell?
To remove persistent old smells from a closet, try stripping or sealing the interior surfaces, priming walls, treating mold growth, repainting with mildew-resistant paint, cleaning with baking soda, improving room ventilation, and using commercial deodorizing products or ozone treatment.
Conclusion
Musty odors inside closets can be annoying and difficult to eliminate. With some inspection and troubleshooting though, the source of the smell can usually be found. Fixing water leaks, improving ventilation, cleaning with products like bleach and baking soda, using moisture absorbers, and taking steps to prevent humidity buildup can help banish musty odors. For severe closet smells, mold remediation, painting, or ozone treatment may be needed. With consistent prevention and monitoring for dampness, musty closet smells can be kept away for good.