How to Prevent Mold in Your Custom Closets

There is nothing more disgusting than getting into the back of your custom closets and finding mold growing. While most mold is caused by leaks, that is not the sole cause and can be prevented. Knowing this makes you wonder what you can do to prevent mold in your custom closets.

These methods offer different mold prevention levels, and you may need to use more than one technique. Read on to learn more about each method!

It might sound like an odd solution to keeping mold at bay, but white vinegar is a powerful deterrent to mold growth. It can also help kill mildew that is already growing.

Start by emptying your closet of clothing and other items. Pour vinegar into a spray bottle and liberally spray walls, floors, ceilings, and shelving. Make sure to get the dark corners where mold tends to grow. Allow the surfaces to dry.

Mixing vinegar with water will dilute the effectiveness of the vinegar against mold. Don’t worry about the sharp vinegar smell; it will dissipate as the area dries. By the time you are ready to put your clothes back, the scent will be gone entirely.

Mold likes to grow in the dark, which is why you may first notice it in the corners or other dark areas of your closet. Adding light will help stop mold in its tracks.

You don’t have to leave a high wattage light on 24 hours a day to prevent it. Instead, try adding a low-wattage lamp to your closet and let it burn for at least six hours a day. The heat from the lamp will help dry the air in your closet, cutting off the moisture necessary for mold to grow.

Moisture is necessary for mold to grow. The humidity in the air, especially in southern states and during the summer, is enough for mold to feed off. Controlling the moisture can prevent growth.

There are a few ways to control the humidity in your closets. You can choose to add a powered dehumidifier that circulates the air. It has special inserts that help to remove excess moisture as the air passes through it. The powered fan helps pull in air, lower the levels faster, and maintain those lower levels.

If your closet is smaller, you can use non-powered desiccants to remove moisture from the air. Silica packets placed on shelves or in clothing pockets are two effective alternatives. You can also purchase containers that either hang or set on shelves that have moisture-controlling packs. These can hold more water before replacing than plain silica packets do.

The carpeting in your closets might seem like a no-brainer. It gives you something comfortable to stand on when you are choosing your wardrobe. But, carpets can attract mold spores and give them an ideal place to grow.

Carpeted fabrics tend to retain more moisture. If the padding underneath is wet, it takes even longer to dry. Its dark location makes it even more suitable for growth.

Instead of keeping your high-pile carpet in the closet, consider pulling it up and putting down hardwood, laminate, or tile. You can add an area rug for comfort if you desire. If the rug becomes wet, just remove it and let it dry.

Circulating the air throughout your closets is an excellent way to prevent mold growth. Many closets have solid doors that keep the air from moving around, causing staleness and preventing proper ventilation. By opening the doors for extended periods, you allow air to move around and pull out spores and humidity.

If you have dry cleaned clothes, remove the plastic bags before placing them in your closet. The plastic traps humidity. If you have clothing in containers, make sure the boxes are breathable or do not store them in your wardrobe.

It’s easy to place your dirty clothes hamper in your closet. However, if you want to avoid mold and mildew growth, you might consider keeping it elsewhere.

Sometimes dirty clothes get wet, especially if you’ve just come in from the rain or went to the gym and became sweaty. The wetness of the fabric adds to the overall moisture content of the closet air. Additionally, dirt and sweat found on your clothes are excellent food sources for mold spores.

Always make sure that the items you put in your closets are clean and completely dry.

Sometimes it seems there is never enough room to store clothing and other items in your closets. But overcrowding them can contribute to mold growth. Clothing that is packed tightly together creates dark pockets in between them. As mold loves darkness, it encourages mold to grow, not just on your walls but on your fabrics as well.