Get Rid Of

How to Get Rid of a Musty Smell in a Closet

Updated · 4 min read

Shirts and jackets hanging close together on a rail in a closet
Photo: Aavindraa, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Short answer

A musty closet has mildew growing on damp clothes, shoes, boxes, or the wall itself. Closets on outside walls are colder, so moisture condenses there, and the closed door stops it drying. Empty the closet, wash or air out everything, clean any mold off the walls, and dry the space. Then leave a gap between clothes and the wall, keep the door open sometimes, and use moisture absorbers or a dehumidifier in the room if humidity stays above 60%.

Quick steps

  1. Empty the closet and smell each item to find the worst ones.
  2. Wash or dry-clean musty clothes, and air out shoes and bags in the sun.
  3. Wipe walls, shelves, and floor; clean any mold spots with detergent and water.
  4. Leave the door open for a day or two with a fan blowing in.
  5. Put back fewer things, with a gap between clothes and the back wall.
  6. Place moisture absorbers or charcoal bags inside, and check humidity with a hygrometer.

Need supplies? Jump to what to buy

Why closets go musty

A closet is a small, closed space with little air movement. If it’s on an outside wall, the back wall is colder than the room, and moisture in the air condenses on it in cold weather. Clothes pressed against that wall stay slightly damp, and mildew grows. Put away a few things that weren’t fully dry and it gets worse fast.

1. Empty it and find the source

Take everything out. Smell items one at a time; often a few things are much worse than the rest, like a gym bag, damp shoes, or clothes from the back. Check:

  • The back wall and corners for dark spots or a damp feel
  • The floor and carpet, especially under shoes
  • Cardboard boxes, which soak up moisture and grow mold
  • The ceiling, if there’s a bathroom above

2. Clean the clothes and the closet

Wash musty clothes with an oxygen bleach booster if the labels allow, and dry them fully. Put shoes, bags, and anything you can’t wash in the sun for a few hours.

Vacuum the closet floor and wipe shelves and walls. For small mold spots on painted walls, the EPA recommends scrubbing with detergent and water and drying the surface completely. Large areas of mold, or mold that keeps coming back, point to a leak or a bigger moisture problem.

3. Dry it out

Leave the closet empty with the door open for a day or two, with a fan blowing into it. Run a dehumidifier in the room if the air feels damp.

4. Put things back so air can move

  • Leave a gap of a few inches between clothes and the back wall.
  • Don’t overpack the rail or shelves.
  • Use plastic bins instead of cardboard for stored items, but only for things that are completely dry.
  • Never put away damp clothes or wet shoes.
  • Leave the door open for a while each day, or swap a solid door for a louvered one.

5. Keep the moisture down

Hang a moisture absorber in the closet and empty or replace it when it fills. Add a few charcoal bags for any smell that’s left. Put a hygrometer inside: the EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60%. If the closet stays above that, the whole room or house is too humid, and a dehumidifier will help more than absorbers.

If the smell isn’t just in one closet, see how to get rid of a musty smell in your house.

What to buy

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How this works

Activated charcoal odor bags

Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag, 200 g (4 pack)

Soaking up leftover smell in cars, closets, shoes, and small rooms once the source is gone. Unscented, so they don't mask one smell with another.

Good to know: Charcoal absorbs smell; it won't fix an ongoing source like a damp carpet or a spill under a seat.

Check price on Amazon

Common questions

Why does only one closet smell musty?

It's often on an outside wall, under a bathroom, or next to a plumbing wall. Cold or damp walls plus no airflow is the usual combination. Check that wall for leaks and condensation.

Do moisture absorbers work in closets?

Yes, for a closed space like a closet or cupboard. They pull some moisture from the air and need emptying or replacing. If the whole room is damp, a dehumidifier in the room does far more.

Can I store clothes in plastic bins?

Only if they are completely clean and dry. Plastic traps any moisture inside. Breathable cotton garment bags are better for hanging clothes.

Does a musty closet smell mean mold?

Usually, yes: mildew on clothes, shoes, or the wall behind them. If several rooms smell, the damp is wider than the closet.

What is the best odor absorber for a closet?

Activated charcoal bags work well once the closet is dry. If the smell comes from damp, a moisture absorber or a small dehumidifier does more than any odor absorber.

Sources