A bedroom closet is typically used to store everything from dresses to suitcases and everything in between. It is a great place for storage – unless of course it has a musty smell. When it does these items can end up smelling old and moldy, even if they are perfectly clean. Use these effective ways to get rid of a musty smell in a bedroom closet, and make it a useable fresh space for storage.
Precautionary Statement
When a home has a damp and/or musty odor, dangerous mold could be to blame. When in doubt, have the problem accessed by a professional before continuing with these solutions. Mold can be deadly.
Begin by Solving Moisture Problems to Get Rid of the Smell
A musty smell does not just develop. It has a source, and when trying to get rid of a musty smell in a bedroom closet, focus on the lower level of the home. If this is a basement or crawlspace, find and solve the moisture problem. Also, consider a problem that could be in an adjoining wall. You will not get rid of the odor if you do not get rid of the source of the moisture.
Add Ventilation to the Bedroom Closet Door
If the odor problem cannot be solved at the source for absolutely any reason, ventilate the bedroom closet door. This means keeping it open, installing a grated vent or installing louver doors. The musty smell is the result of a moisture problem of some sort, but it is noticeable in the bedroom closet more than any other location because of a lack of air circulation. If ventilation is not created, everything in the bedroom closet will smell musty, especially items placed on the floor, inadvertently or otherwise.
Place Charcoal Briquettes in the Bedroom Closet
Forget about spraying the inside of the closet with odor neutralizers or air fresheners. They will only mask the musty smell, and they will not solve the problem. Instead of simply smelling musty, floral scented spray will make the closed area smell like old flowers. Use something effective instead. Place a paper sack containing charcoal briquettes inside the bedroom closet. Place the open bag in an empty corner of the closet where it will remain undisturbed. The charcoal will absorb and neutralize the smell and not just cover it up like commercial air fresheners and other ineffective products.