Keeping your closets smelling fresh/pretty

[zhuzhu]

I am so annoyed with the coat closet in our house! Since there is no window in it, the shoe storage + winter coats make it smell "muggy" all the time.

I did clean all the shoes before putting them in there, and the coats are all cleaned too. So why?

Any tips you could share with me to keep it smelled like the rest of the house - no scent at all?

 

[kenny]

Perhaps you can improve the ventilation.

Take the door off.
Cut off an inch off the bottom.

Also, you may drill/cut ventilation holes near the top and cover them with an attractive grille.

 

[PinkTower]

I keep a small opened bag of charcoal in mine on the shelf. I change it maybe once a year. It is pushed back in the corner so it won't tip over. I guess if you were industrious, you could dump it into a plastic dishpan or something, but I never have gotten that far.

 

[zhuzhu]

I keep a small opened bag of charcoal in mine on the shelf. I change it maybe once a year. It is pushed back in the corner so it won't tip over. I guess if you were industrious, you could dump it into a plastic dishpan or something, but I never have gotten that far.

Charcoal can absorb odor? I had never heard of it. What is the mechanism behind it?

 

[zhuzhu]

Perhaps you can improve the ventilation.

Take the door off.
Cut off an inch off the bottom.

Also, you may drill/cut ventilation holes near the top and cover them with an attractive grille.

Thanks Kenny,
Unfortunately, the coat closet is right in front of the main door so an "altered door" will be pretty unattractive of a look.

 

[PinkTower]

I don't know why it helps. My MIL told me about it. They have a travel trailer that they take to Florida for the winter. She knew about it because everyone stores their trailers that way over the summers.

 

[Tuckins1]

I've said it before and i'll say it again... Baking soda!!! I have it in my closet, as well as the hall closet (old house, gets stuffy) and there is no smell at all.

 

[dragonfly411]

Have you thought of the little pouched scents they have? I have one (almost like a bar soap) that I keep in my drawers and my whole dresser smells of it. I also keep a pouch (this one is more like potpourri) in the closet, and my clothes always smell so nice!

 

[zhuzhu]

I will definitely give baking soda and charcoal a try first. I have used potpourri and while it masked the scent, I think I prefer it with no scent at all.

Thank you everyone for your input!

 

[Strawdermangrl]

My family always puts a bar of Irish Spring in our closets, it is light and always makes things smell good.

 

[Yimmers]

I keep a small opened bag of charcoal in mine on the shelf. I change it maybe once a year. It is pushed back in the corner so it won't tip over. I guess if you were industrious, you could dump it into a plastic dishpan or something, but I never have gotten that far.

Korean markets will sell charcoal in a pretty covered basket and refills for it. Imagine my surprise when I opened the box on my parent's table only to find charcoal, and not some munchies.

 

[Ninna]

I hang Lavender sachets on each row. They get refilled every 4 months.