Last Updated on 10 months by Susan Mayrich
We know that you’re curious to know how to keep clothes from smelling musty in closet. Don’t worry, and you have landed in the right place because we are here to help you!

To get rid of the musty smell, use baking soda, essential oil, activated charcoal, scented ball, or perfume soaps in your closet.
A musty smell is a sign of bacteria growth and can be caused by anything from sweat to dampness. It’s essential to keep clothes smelling fresh to avoid unpleasant odors.
In this blog post, we’ll cover how you can stop your clothes from developing a musty smell, as well as the best way to store them for optimal freshness. So without further ado, let’s get started!
How To Stop Clothes Smelling Musty In Wardrobe?
Do your wardrobes smell musty? Don’t panic. Just read the tips to know how to keep clothes from smelling musty in closet:
#1. Scent your hangers
One way to make clothes smell good and last longer is to use fabric fresheners on your hangers. These products will eliminate smells while preserving your clothes. You should apply the freshener before folding your clothes to keep them from getting any scent.
#2. Don’t store dirty clothes in a closet
Photo of dirty clothes by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels. One of the biggest causes of bad odors in a closet is storing dirty clothes. Dirty clothes can accumulate moisture from sweat, spilled drinks, and humidity. In addition, bacteria will grow on your clothes if they’re not dried properly.
You can prevent this problem by taking care to launder your clothes regularly. Try using natural detergent to remove dirt, oil, and most germs.
Make sure your detergent is free of alcohol which can damage the fabric of your clothes if they are left damp for too long
#3. Use essential oils
Photo of essential oils by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels Essential oils are used in aromatherapy to achieve many benefits. One of the most common uses is for perfumes. These oils can freshen up clothes and wardrobes that have a musty odor.
It would be best to put a few drops of the oil on the hangers and in the closet to make the smells dissipate. If you want to make it as quick and painless as possible, a diffuser that naturally releases the scent is ideal.
#4. Use activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is a natural filter that can eliminate bad smells on your clothes. You will need to place some charcoal in a container and put it in the closet or wardrobe for a few hours before putting your clothes back there.
If you want to make the smell stronger, you can use some more activated charcoal as well as soak some clothes in some essential oils too.
#5. Use scented soap
Scented soaps may help your closets smell fantastic. Wrap a strongly-scented bar of soap in a piece of thin fabric and place it in your closet to make it smell better.
#6. Tissue papers or perfumed cotton balls
You can use scented cotton balls or tissue paper to make your drawer smell good. Place soaked cotton balls in glass jars with the perfume of your choosing. Keep these containers closed with a breathable and thin cloth, and store them in your closet.
Replace the cotton balls regularly for more successful results. This method is quite effective at covering stinky odors in closets.
#7. Clean the closet regularly
To keep your closets smelling fresh, you should regularly give them a thorough cleaning. Vacuum all of the dirt and dust from each individual shelf to get rid of any potential odors that may have built up over time!
#8. Baking soda
Baking soda is a great way to eliminate odors and freshen up your closet; ankle it onto your shelves and vacuum it afterward. This will get rid of any bad smells and make the area smell fresh!
#9. Use the dryer sheet
Dryer sheets absorb unpleasant odors and can make your clothing smell fresh. Even used dryers have enough fragrance to improve the odor in a closet, so place some around for extra protection using an envelope or tucked into pockets of garments you want to keep smelling good all winter long!
#10. Dry clothes before Storing
It’s important to remember that when you wash your clothes, you need to dry them before putting them away in a closet. This way, they won’t develop that musty smell once they’re stored away for storage.
#11. Spray vinegar
If your closet smells a little sour, spraying vinegar and water solution around the area can help a lot. Spray this solution on all of the surfaces of your storage including shelves, walls, and doors, until you cover the whole section.
The Dangers Of A Musty Closet
When your closet smells musty, it can pose many health risks. For instance, some musty odors indicate the presence of mold, which is considered one of the most hazardous substances on earth! Here are some more hazards of a musty wardrobe:
#1. Breathing problems
Musty air irritates respiratory tissues and makes breathing difficult. This is especially common in people with asthma.
#2. Skin problems
When musty air enters your skin pores, it can cause mild to severe irritation and rashes. This is also the reason why some clothes get discolored when they get damp and moldy.
#3. Eye irritation
High humidity levels put you at risk for eye infections and other types of irritation.
#4. Respiratory infections
If your clothes have a musty smell, it’s possibly due to moisture. Mold loves water; if you store damp clothes in the closet, mold spores might grow, which will result not just in an unpleasant odor but also can cause respiratory infections as well as other ailments. You may also be interested to know about common laundry problems.
It’s A Wrap!
In short, remember to try to apply at least three of these methods, if you are looking to know how to keep clothes from smelling musty in closet. One solution alone might do the trick, but if you rng fragrance in your wardrobe, then be sure to use whatever tips you find value in this article. It’s really easy to reduce the odors coming from your closet.
Most people don’t take a second to think about ways to reduce closet odors, but now that the quick fixes have been made aware to you, you’re less likely to have to deal with foul-smelling closets ever again. You may also want to read about how to remove saliva stains from clothes and can you wash jeans with other clothes.