How to Keep Mold & Mildew Out of Closets
Mold and mildew love warm, moist environments. Closets don't often fit into the category, but they can. This may occur in very humid climates, or if your home has other moisture problems or you place wet or damp items (even wet shoes or coats) in the closet. However, you do not have to put up with this problem. There are several steps you can take to prevent mold and mildew in these enclosed spaces. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Broom
- Mold prevention spray (Safe Shield or similar spray)
- Silica gel dessicant sachets
- Fan
Instructions
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Remove all items from the closet. Sweep or vacuum the floors and then spray walls and floor with a mold prevention spray. Allow the closet to air out for a few hours.
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Hang several large sachets of silica gel dessicant in the closet. This is the same stuff you'll find in shoe boxes, when you buy shoes, or packed with electronics. You can find it at some craft stores, camera shops, gun shops (it's used in gun closets) in and some large retail stores. How much you'll need depends on the size of the closet--in general, the more dessicant you use the better for keeping things dry.
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Spray items (non-clothes items) with Lysol or a mold prevention spray before returning them to the closet. This is just an extra precaution, in case any spores happen to be on these items.
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Hang up clothing in the closet--if the closet is a clothes closet. Never use the closet to dry wet clothing--only hang fully dry clothing items in closets.
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Keep closet doors open for ventilation as often as possible. When humidity is high, direct a fan to blow into the closet. The drier you keep the closet, the less chance mold or mildew have of ever developing.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are remodeling your home, consider using mold-resistant paint for closets. Silica dessicant will need to be replaced once in while or it will cease working. Some kinds can be regenerated by baking it in an oven on low heat until the silica beads are dry.
If mold or mildew is already present in the closet, you will need to thoroughly clean this before using the steps here. A 10 percent bleach solution (10 parts water to one part bleach) is standard for wiping down moldy walls and hard floors.
