How Do I Get a Mold Smell Out of My Closet?

Whether you actually find mold in your closet, or just mildew, the smell can be unsettling. A moldy odor in your closet can permeate your clothing and give it a musty smell, making it difficult to sleep in your room or wear your own clothing. Fortunately, with a little care you can clean and freshen your moldy closet to get rid of mildew and the malodorous essence of mold.

Things You'll Need

• 20 oz. spray bottle
• 16 oz. distilled water
• 4 oz. bleach
• 1 tsp. baking soda

Instructions

1. Add the distilled water to the 20 oz. spray bottle. Distilled water is much cleaner than tap water, and it is excellent for use in home freshening formulations.

2. Add the bleach to the bottle of water. Drop in the baking soda, which is a natural odor neutralizer.

3. Secure the cap on the bottle and shake it vigorously for a minute. This disperses the ingredients, watering down the bleach so it doesn't damage fabric or other surfaces.

4. Clean out your closet, removing clothing and stored items. Make sure it is completely empty for cleaning. Open windows around the area and any doors to let sunshine in while providing air flow to the area. If necessary, vacuum and dust the closet if it is needed.

5. Spray the entire inside of the closet with the bottle of bleach and baking soda solution. Do not saturate the carpets or walls. Instead, spray a fine mist over the entire area. Let the area air dry for one hour and then repeat once more.

Tips & Warnings

• Bleach kills mold, so using a solution of bleach and water is always helpful in eliminating the odor as well as its cause.

• Call a mold testing service to come and check your home for toxic mold. Sometimes the smell is telling of something far more dangerous than mildew.

References

• Mold Blogger: Mold Odor Control