Blog Layout

How to Safeguard Your Closets From Mold

Rick Santos • Apr 18, 2022

Mold is never something you want in your custom closets or anywhere else in your home. It can make you sick, especially if you already suffer from respiratory problems like asthma, and it also destroys things. Learning how to keep mold out of your closet can save you from damage, loss, and costly remediation.

If you avoid putting wet things in your closet, know how to look for leaks, learn how to minimize moisture, and keep the clutter down and your things off the floor, you can keep mold away for good!

Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of preventing mold growth in your closets.

Avoid Storing Wet Items in Your Custom Closets

Have you ever come out of the rain and put your raincoat on a hanger and straight into the closet? What about the shoes you were wearing when you walked through puddles? Have you ever decided that you really didn’t want to run the dryer any longer and your clothes were “dry enough” to put away? You get the idea.

It’s surprisingly easy to end up storing wet things in your closet. You may even keep a hamper or bag inside for dirty clothes and not think twice about tossing wet towels or sweaty gym clothes in there as well. Just remember that the thing mold needs most to grow is moisture. So, it’s worth letting your jackets or shoes dry before putting them away or letting the dryer run just a little bit longer.

Be On The Lookout for Leaks

Water leaks are a big problem no matter where they pop up. And sometimes they show up in the most unexpected places. You might think you’re safe from leaks outside of areas like the bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen, where water leaks are more likely to spring from. But if you have a closet that shares a wall with one of those rooms, wet patches may develop.

Water leaks also come from the outside. A hole in the roof that’s located over a closet may not be immediately noticeable, but when it rains, the water could saturate the ceiling or run down the wall(s). Upgraded Home explains that water coming up through your carpet can signal a "foundation leak." Keeping an eye out for leaks and fixing them quickly will help you avoid mold growth.

Minimize Moisture in Your Closets

Even if you’re careful about not putting away wet clothing and nothing is leaking, high humidity alone can lead to moisture in the least desirable places. Luckily, there are some easy ways to handle excessive moisture and humidity in your closets, including:

Using an air purifier or dehumidifier
Running a fan
Absorbing moisture with silica gel packets or chalk
Eliminating plastic bags
Removing dirty clothes
Turning the light on

Dehumidifiers reduce humidity in the air, while air purifiers clean the air and remove mold spores that might be floating around. Both can help keep mold out of your closet. If you can’t fit one of these machines in your closet or don’t have one, even running a fan inside will blow the humid air out and help keep everything dry.

According to Apartment Therapy, the silica gel packs that come in shoeboxes, pill bottles, and other items are also useful for keeping your closets dry. Place them in shoes that have been on wet or sweaty feet, for example. Chalk also absorbs moisture – hang a bag in your closet and it will draw the moisture out of the air.

When you get your clothes back from the dry cleaner, remove the plastic – it just traps moisture. If possible, store dirty clothes somewhere other than the closet. Even things like food stains can contain moisture that draws in mold. Finally, never underestimate the power of a low-watt lightbulb to keep your closets dry and mold-free.

Keep Your Closets Clean & Organized

Mold tends to hide if it can, and the best way to refuse to give it a place to hide is to keep your closets clean and organized. Piles of clothes, trash, and disorganized messes can prevent airflow, while the opposite holds true for items that are organized and have room to breathe.

Messes also hide moisture and mold growth, which means you may not realize you have a problem until you clean up. So, keep your closets as clean and organized as possible.

Avoid Floor Storage

When items are stored on the floor, you could miss a water leak. You’re much better off avoiding floor storage entirely. Instead, use shelves, dividers, baskets, cupboards, and drawers to keep items up above for additional protection.

Conclusion

Mold is heavily related to moisture, and moisture in your closets is avoidable. If you follow the tips mentioned above, you shouldn't have to worry about mold infiltrating your custom closets or destroying your wardrobe.