Ignoring Your Closet's Climate Is A Rookie Mistake

Our wardrobes are one of the best avenues we have for self-expression, whether it's through clothes, shoes, or accessories. We treasure our thrift finds and covet other people's designer threads. We store our food and wine at closely-monitored temperatures and humidity levels — so why not the contents of our closets?

Climate-controlling your closet has tons of benefits. It can ward off mold, banish unpleasant smells from your closet, and actually keep your clothes in pristine condition. Humidity, which can cause serious damage to your clothes and shoes, is the number one issue you can mitigate using climate control in your closet. Your closet's base humidity is determined by a variety of factors, including your geographical location and the placement of your closet within your home — two things you simply can't control. Luckily, there are a variety of solutions available to fit every closet and situation, no matter where you live. 

Damp clothes are unhappy clothes. When wet, organic materials like cotton and wool serve as a breeding ground for mold and mildew, something that can damage not only your clothes, but your health. When mold grows, it can produce both allergens and toxic substances like mycotoxins, which can cause allergic reactions and even asthma attacks. That same moisture that allows mold to grow can also be the source of musty odors that linger even when your clothes are clean. 

Humidity's threat to your clothes doesn't stop there. It can actually cause natural dyes to fade and bleed, leaving you with unsightly spots, blotches, and even stains. Plus, humidity can break down clothes made from delicate fibers like silk and thin wool. When moisture meets clothes, it's a good idea to air out your closet. It's one of many reasons you should consider adding a small dehumidifier to your closet. Damp conditions in this area can be due to the fact that you live near the ocean — one of the very few drawbacks of making your home in a beach town — or that your closet is close to a humid environment in your house, like a laundry room or bathroom.

If your closet is serving "soaked" instead of "slay," there are a variety of ways to move forward. First, consider the ventilation situation. Adding an exhaust fan or louvered doors can promote airflow and draw out moisture from small, humid spaces. If your wiring situation isn't right for a fan — or you're not willing to replace your closet doors — there are several other dehumidification options to turn to. 

Think back to the last time you received a package in the mail. Did it come with little silica packets inside? Don't throw them away next time you open your Amazon order — those little packets absorb moisture in your closet, and it's a creative way to repurpose silica gel packets around the house. If you don't have any packages on the way, you can easily and cheaply buy silica gel or packets online. In your closet, stick them in shoe boxes, tight corners, or drawers. If you've got the budget, a plug-in dehumidifier will also effectively reduce moisture — and at the very least, keep your closet doors open.