Keep Your Closet Smelling Fresh With Coffee Grounds

Imagine: You just opened your closet to get dressed for the day or grab a spare sweater when you get hit with a waft of something ... well, musty. Don't worry, you're not alone. While many people encounter an unpleasant smell in some of their home's smaller spaces, placing some coffee grounds inside is a great tip for keeping your closet smelling fresh.

Sure, all areas of your home are susceptible to unfavorable odors, but closets are particularly prone to stenches because they often have no windows and higher humidity levels. And when you mix minimal ventilation and lots of moisture with the dirty clothes in your hamper? Well, it's only natural that things are going to get a little stinky. Poor ventilation and high humidity can also lead to mold and mildew, which also won't do your wardrobe's aroma any favors. There are plenty of non-toxic closet fresheners that will keep your space and clothes smelling clean, but coffee grounds are a natural alternative that you probably already have in your pantry.

The magic behind this clever closet hack you didn't know you needed lies in the beans themselves. You see, coffee is packed with nitrogen, which acts as a natural deodorizer. Unlike air fresheners, which will only mask stenches, the nitrogen in coffee will neutralize and remove the unfavorable aromas. While you could theoretically freshen up your closet with whole coffee beans, java grounds work just as well. (Plus, you can always reuse your morning coffee grounds to give that cup of joe a second life.)

For best results, dry out your coffee grounds by roasting them in the oven for a few minutes. To keep mess to a minimum, place a few scoops of coffee grounds into a mesh sachet bag and place them in particularly pungent areas such as near your laundry hamper or inside your sneakers. That said, one batch of coffee will only work their magic for so long, so swap out your grounds about every week for a fresh space.