Simple And Affordable Ways To Add Ventilation To Your Stuffy Closet

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Although you likely reach inside your closet daily (if not more often), it's probably the last place you think about for proper airflow. However, ignoring your closet's climate is a rookie mistake, because your clothes need to breathe just as much as you do. Poor closet ventilation leads to having a "stuffy" closet, which is generally considered a classic "old house" (or poorly designed apartment) struggle. When air doesn't move, moisture settles, and that's when things start smelling like a thrift store — and not in a cool, vintage way. Instead, you'll be left with stale air and trapped humidity, leading to problems like mildew. In fact, not having adequate ventilation can lead to shoes getting moldy in your closet, thanks to the trapped moisture.

Luckily, there are both simple and affordable ways to add ventilation to your stuffy closet, solving the problem of stagnant air and odors. These budget-friendly fixes include keeping the closet door open to encourage air exchange, adding a fan (when you can) to circulate the air, and even using a dehumidifier to pull out excess moisture. Ultimately, a little bit of airflow goes a long way in protecting your wardrobe and other valuable belongings.

Before hitting the panic button and completely gutting your closet, simply leave the closet door open for an hour after you shower or while you're doing laundry. Ideally, leaving the door open longer will maximize fresh airflow. Additionally, when hanging your clothes, avoid packing hangers tight against each other. Aim for one inch of space between garments to allow air to circulate. You can also make the switch to wire shelving if you don't already have them — this will allow air to flow vertically.

If the air in your closet is stagnant, you'll need to physically move it to break the cycle of dampness. You don't need a giant floor fan, although this will help keep your whole bedroom cool and ventilated when paired with leaving the closet door open. A small, 5-inch USB-powered fan tucked in a corner can make a massive difference to your closet, especially in tight spaces. If you don't have the budget or an outlet for a small fan, you can move the air yourself. Every few days, take a large piece of cardboard and literally "waft" the air out of the closet for 30 seconds. It sounds silly, but it replaces the CO2 and moisture-heavy air with fresh air from the room.

To better help your closet's ventilation, consider adding something to take the moisture out of the air. There are several reasons you should consider adding a small dehumidifier to your closet, but the biggest one is its ability to actively pull gallons of water from the air before it reaches your fabrics. If you want to take the humidity out without spending money on a bulky machine, you can purchase the DampRid Fresh Scent Hanging Moisture Absorber. These are specially made to absorb moisture using specialized crystals, while only costing a fraction of the price of an electric appliance.