There is an unpleasant odor, similar to the stench of the “stale” and to “old” emanating from the closet Does the same thing happen to you? Let’s not forget that in it we keep sports clothes, pajamas, shoes and a mountain of clothes and objects piled up, and, even if you deny it, some of them have been forgotten for years at the bottom without being aired.
This stench is most likely caused by the smell of wood or dampness after storing damp clothes in it or by lack of ventilation. The truth is that it is a particularly annoying and unpleasant stench, that if you do not know how to fight it correctly, it is a real nightmare. It sticks and penetrates the clothes!
Fortunately, this problem has a solution, and it is simpler than you think. Here we tell you how to remove the smell of “closed” from a closet with very effective home tricks, without arduous cleaning, without pouring chemicals and without spending a lot of money. You will be surprised by its effectiveness!
How to get the musty smell out of a closet?
You may put off cleaning the closet day after day, it’s normal, we all do it. However, they require periodic maintenance and proper care if you do not want the stench of “storage” to become part of it.
Concentrated moisture and mold inside – especially in the corners – can be battled with products you probably have in the cupboard without even knowing it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a wooden closet, the drawer where you fold and store your underwear or an old piece of furniture in the living room. These methods fit like a glove.
Rice
Do you have rice at home? That’s all you need! With this indispensable kitchen ingredient, you can eliminate the musty smell from the cupboard without much effort and dedication. Simply place an open container or mesh bag filled with rice in a corner of the closet and leave it until the next day.
Rice is able to absorb moisture quickly (that’s why it is the infallible remedy when the cell phone falls in the toilet or accidentally gets wet). Ideally, it should be replaced weekly to prevent the stench from returning over time.
Salt with spices
Similar to how it works with rice, salt absorbs the moisture present in closets that have been closed for long periods of time, especially those where bed linens, tablecloths, sheets and pillowcases are stored.
The favorable way is to prepare a homemade air freshener by mixing coarse salt and an aromatic spice (cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, nutmeg, star anise or cardamom). Place it on a plate in the cupboard and in a couple of days the bad smell will be a thing of the past.
Activated carbon
Another ally of natural origin and relatively kind to the environment is activated carbon, which is obtained from the combustion of vegetable compounds, either coconut shells, bamboo or wood. It is characterized by being much more porous than the traditional one, which is why it is so effective in absorbing humidity and odors. The way to use it is very simple, place a sachet of activated charcoal inside the cabinet and wait a couple of days for it to take effect.
Coffee
Whether in beans or ground, besides being addictively delicious, coffee is perfect to remove the closed smell in old furniture, besides, surely you have it in the cupboard stored. It is very effective even to remove the smell of dampness from clothes and shoes inside the closet.
All you have to do is place some coffee (whatever its presentation) in a cup or in a cloth bag as mentioned above. Put it in the closet and forget about it for a few days.
A plus: If you combine it with the salt and spices trick, it will be a 2-for-1: it eliminates bad odor and provides an excellent aroma.
Natural air fresheners for the closet
Without a doubt, this is my favorite. It goes well to remove bad odor from old furniture, closet and drawers and I love the soft and placid smell it emanates. You can do this in two ways:
With aromatic herbs
They can be of flowers such as lavender, thyme, rosemary or roses (a delicate, but very relaxing aroma). To prepare it, follow these steps:
- Use pieces of sackcloth, jute or more commonly known as “burlap” and open fine holes in them, taking care that they do not expand.
- Open the fabric and place the herbs you like the most.
- Once this is done, shape it into a “pouch” or bag and tie it with string, thread or ribbon.
- Finally, place it in the closet, hang it on hangers or put it in drawers. In a matter of days the odor will go away.
With cotton and essential oils
Even if you don’t wear a cashmere coat for months, or boots for a year, they will give off a delicious aroma if you air them and prepare a natural air freshener with essential oils, since they concentrate intense aromas for much longer. See how:
- Choose the essential oil of your choice: you can do it with lavender, jasmine or eucalyptus or whatever you like.
- Moisten 3 cotton mops so that they are completely perfumed.
- Take them inside the closet, one in each corner so that they release their fragrance and put an end to the closed smell.
To keep in mind: you can replace the essential oil with fabric softener or use tea bags, which, although the aroma is not as strong, still give off a good scent.
How to remove dampness from the closet with vinegar and lemon
Are there moisture marks in your closet? Did mold stains appear? It may require a thorough cleaning, which, in addition to leaving it impeccable, will leave it smelling good. This homemade vinegar and lemon cleaner is ideal for its disinfectant, antifungal and even repellent properties.
- Prepare the cleaner by mixing half a cup of white vinegar (preferably cleaning vinegar ), half a cup of water and the juice of one lemon.
- Empty the closet completely.
- Dip a clean cloth or rag in the product and wipe the surfaces of the closet several times. If there are mildew stains, rub with a soft sponge.
- Wait 15 minutes for it to take effect and dry completely and introduce the clothes again.
Now that you know what to put in your drawers so that your clothes don’t smell bad and how to get the musty smell out of your clothes without washing them, it’s time to put into practice any of these easy, quick and very powerful techniques! Say goodbye to this terrible smell!