Clothes can sometimes develop a stale or musty odor when stored in a closet. They’re even more prone to this effect during summer due to the elevated heat and humidity. Let’s explore some tips to help make sure your wardrobe stays fresh all summer long.
Upgrade Your Closet’s Organization and Storage
Proper organization provides a clearer picture of your wardrobe and helps you avoid overlooking some items. It’s also important to store clothes in a way that preserves freshness and avoids contamination. Whether you have a reach-in or walk-in closet, you may not be making the best use of your available space. By adding shelving, you can eliminate clutter, create more space for hanging clothes, and designate dedicated areas for hats, shoes, and other items.
Remove and Store Your Non-Summer Clothes
Whenever transitioning into a new season, you should store the clothes you won’t wear in the months ahead. Clothes that go unused for a long period are much more likely to develop odors, and they’ll occupy space that you could put to better use. For example, having sufficient space between items is a significant factor in keeping them as fresh as possible. Consider vacuum-sealing the stored clothes and keeping them organized in plastic storage boxes.
Maximize Airflow
The air in closets is often stagnant, leading to clothes with unpleasant odors. Airflow is essential to lowering the presence of pollutants that cause staleness. If you have a large walk-in closet, experts recommend installing a ceiling fan. During the summer, set it to the highest fan speed and a counterclockwise direction. If you don’t have room for a ceiling fan, use an air circulator. There are floor-based models that move a high volume of air. For small reach-in closets, consider using a small fan that can be mounted on the wall or ceiling. Also, keep your wardrobe door partially open. That will let it benefit from the home’s temperature control and circulation.
Be Mindful of Humidity
Humidity in closets is also a problem, especially in a climate like Florida’s. Circulation will help, but use a hygrometer to monitor relative humidity (RH) in your closet. Avoid an RH above 60%, and 50% or less is ideal. Moisture-absorbing materials can help, or you can run a small dehumidifier in your closet.
Benefit From Breathable Bags and Natural Materials
Breathable garment bags are perfect for protecting fragile items. Breathable bags are also ideal for storing non-seasonal items that you want to keep hanging. For your hangers, invest in natural materials. Cedar is a particularly good option that’s naturally resistant to odors and even repels insects. Earlier, we recommended plastic storage containers. Only use them when vacuum sealing. Otherwise, they trap moisture and contribute to a musty odor.
Use Wardrobe Fresheners
Natural wardrobe fresheners can provide pleasant yet subtle scents. Popular options include cedarwood and lavender. If you prefer no scent at all, you can use activated charcoal. It will absorb moisture and any gases and chemicals that may be in the air.
Take Care When Storing Dirty Clothes
Some may be inclined to hang rather than clean an article they only used for a short period. That usually isn’t a good idea. It will still have some residual sweat and body oils that can spread to other clothes. Be careful with dirty clothes as well. Use a hamper for items you won’t wash right away. Ideally, keep that hamper outside the wardrobe. If you must keep it inside the wardrobe, ensure that it has a tight seal and that you keep it closed.
Use Odor-Neutralizing Detergents
Your choice of detergent can make a big difference. It starts with the wash, but odor-killing properties help to lock in that scent. Some detergents, for instance, have enzyme-based formulas that are very effective.
Dust and Vacuum Often
Deep-dust and vacuum your home at least once a month. Also, don’t forget to do your closets. Dust is a significant contributor to the accumulation of smells in a closet over time.
Closet Makeovers in Greater Tampa
Located in Oldsmar, FL, Premiere Closets has decades of design-build experience in the Tampa area. We design and build closets that maximize our customers’ available space. Our closet designs also help to keep wardrobes fresh and beautiful, whether you’re looking for a master bedroom closet refresh or some additional organization for your child’s closet. Contact Premiere Closets today to learn more about how we can help you improve your closets.
