Top Tips for Making Your Custom Closet Smell Wonderful

No one wants to have a custom closet system with an off putting odor, but unfortunately, this happens all too often. Closets are cramped and often filled with dirty or dusty items, which can permeate through the rest of the closet. To top it off, there’s often little air flow. 

Use these top tips to keep your custom closets smelling wonderful.

• Avoid storing dirty laundry in the closet
• Check your closet for any leaks or moisture
• Increase airflow to the closet
• Hang dried herbs in satchels
• Avoid overcrowding your closet
• Clean your closet regularly
  

Avoid Storing Dirty Laundry in the Closet

The first step toward a better-smelling closet is to get out of the habit of storing your dirty laundry in the closet, say the experts at HGTV. While it may seem unsightly to have your dirty laundry out in the open, by choosing a stylish laundry hamper with a lid, you can store those dirty duds in the corner of the room without being an eyesore.

If there isn’t a place for you to store your dirty laundry other than your closet, then invest in built-in laundry hamper that closes securely. Be sure to also stay on top of doing the laundry regularly so it doesn’t pile up and start to smell.

Check Your Closet for Any Leaks or Moisture

One of the main reasons closets begin to smell is due to excess moisture accumulating in the closet. Air does not circulate well in a closet, and the combination of moisture and stagnant air is enough to cause some funky smells.

Before refreshing your closet, look it over thoroughly for any areas where there could be extra moisture, such as leaks, wet clothing, or wet towels. Get rid of those items and try to minimize the moisture in your closet. If you do notice any areas where moisture is getting in, be sure to seal them right away.

Increase Airflow in the Closet

To help decrease the amount of moisture in your closet, try increasing the amount of airflow. Closets are often cramped, with very little airflow to keep things dry and free of mold or mildew. If possible, try adding a small vent to the wall or door of your closet, to try to pull in some cooler, drier air.

If a vent is not possible in your closet, try hanging more of your clothing rather than stacking them on shelves. Hanging your clothes allows them to breathe a little easier in the closet and keeps airflow circulating around them.

Hang Dried Herbs in Satchels

While you don’t want to simply mask unpleasant odors, adding a nice smell to your closet is another good way to keep it smelling fresh. Dried herbs in satchels can be a wonderful addition, and you can select the herb that appeals to you most.

Eucalyptus is known for its neutralizing properties, and its oil is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, says Bosistos. Lavender is known for its relaxing properties, so you would be getting a pleasant breeze of relaxing scent every time you opened your closet. In contrast, lemon is a pleasantly energizing scent that is known to boost energy and emotions.

Avoid Overcrowding Your Closet

One way to increase airflow in your closet is to decrease the amount of clothing and items you store in your closet. The more items that are in there, the more cramped the closet becomes, and the less air can circulate throughout.

One way to avoid overcrowding your closet is to rotate your wardrobe each season. Store your winter belongings in airtight containers during the summer months, and then switch out your shorts and t-shirts when the cooler weather returns. This can help to minimize the amount of clothing you have in your closet at one time, thus increasing the air circulation throughout.

Clean your closet regularly

Most of the time, smells come from places or things that are either wet, dirty, or a combination of the two. Take time to clean your closet regularly to ensure that there is not a build-up of either dirt or moisture. Wipe down the walls, dust the shelves, and give the floor a good cleaning.

One way to make it convenient to clean your closet regularly is to store a small cleaning bin right in the closet for easy access. A simple bin containing some dust cloths, wipes, and a small dustpan set will work perfectly. Keeping the custom closet clean will help to reduce any unwanted smells.

Conclusion

While it is easy for closets to become a bit smelly, the trick to keeping them fresh and clean is to maximize airflow and clean the closet regularly. Add some dried herb satchels to finish it off, and your closet will be smelling fresh as a daisy.