Hang Garments On Wooden Hangers
Trade wire hangers for wooden hangers, as wood is better at protecting your clothes and preventing bad odors. The wood absorbs any moisture in the air to prevent dampness. While wood is a natural deodorizer, you can give your clothes a pleasant fragrance by purchasing wooden hangers with cedar or lavender scents. Cedar also prevents moths from destroying your clothing.
Why Closets Need Freshening
You come home after a great day fishing and hang up your gear, but you forgot to take a dirty lure out of a pocket, or you wore your sweater in the rain and didn’t dry it thoroughly. In all of these cases, you set up a situation in which smells could develop and worsen.
Some smells are a result of mold. Mold grows in warm, damp places and thrives on organic matter. The inside of your damp sneakers is ideal for mold.
In some cases, smells are simply a matter of body odor. You wore a T-shirt to work out in, and rather than wash it immediately you shoved it into the hamper or tossed it onto the floor of the closet. Either way, the smell can start to permeate other fabrics.
How To Eliminate Shoe Odors In Small Closets
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Dear Home-Ec 101:I just did some awesome cleaning in my closet and swapped out my winter for summer stuff. I noticed my closet has a funky shoe odor. I googled it and saw a lot of ideas for getting rid of the shoe smell, but I trust Home-Ec 101 ideas more.Signed,Imelda Marco Im Not
Heather says:
The first thing to do is to pull the shoes out of the closet. If any of the shoes are particularly funky check out the post What to Do About Stinky Shoes and address the source of the problem.
Once the shoes are out of the closet, sprinkle any carpeting with baking soda, allow it that to sit for at least an hour or so -overnight is better. Sweep up what you can or use a shop vac¹ and then thoroughly vacuum thoroughly. I dont mean waving the vacuum in the general direction of the closet. The carpet needs an I mean business kind of vacuuming, give any large areas several passes with the vacuum and then get on your hands and knees with the dreaded crevice tool and attack the corners.
Alternately, some people swear by Febreze and while , it makes me sneeze like crazy -especially the allergen reducing one which I find amusing in a youve got to be joking kind of way. Dilute white vinegar can also be misted over the carpet.
Submit your questions to .
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Get Rid Of New Wardrobe Smell
Sometimes the smell of new furniture can be unpleasant.
So how do you eliminate new smell in your closet?
- Firstly leave the doors open to ventilate the wardrobe
- Clean it with abundant water and a splash of ammonia
- Mix 1 cup of white vinegar & 1 ltr of warm water to wash all surfaces
- Cut one scented soap in several pieces and place them in fabric bags
- You could also try slices of bread, a lemon cut in half or coffee grains
How To Get Rid Of The Musty Smell In The Wardrobe
Take everything out of the wardrobe. If the smellâs permeated your clothes, set them aside to be washed.
Grab a torch if necessary and give your wardrobe a thorough search for potential sources of the smell. If you find mould, tackle it with a mould cleaner suitable for whatever your wardrobe is made of. If you find a pet urine stain, there are commercial pet urine neutralisers that can help.
Whether you find a specific cause or not, dust or hoover the wardrobe.
Mix some water with a few drops of washing-up liquid, dip a clean sponge in it, squeeze the sponge out until itâs only slightly damp, and use it to clean the inside of the wardrobe.
Leave the doors completely open and the wardrobe empty for a couple of days. Giving it time to dry is essential, but youâre also letting it air out, which should hopefully help with the smell.
Is the smell still lingering? Try leaving a plate of baking soda in the wardrobe overnight to absorb odours. If thereâs an improvement, but the smellâs not gone completely, you can repeat this with a fresh batch of baking soda.
Those are a few DIY ideas for clothes, but there are countless other possibilities just waiting for you to come up with them. Once youâre thinking about how to use old clothes to make new outfits, youâll start seeing projects everywhere. Have fun!
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Things To Remember To Get Rid Of Closet Odor
The air-freshening and odor-solutions listed above should help you get rid of closet odor.
So, you have your clothes in minty-fresh condition. Now what? Will it stay like that forever?
Alas, odor is one stubborn son of a gun and will wait patiently to attack your closet like birds following trawlers.
Keeping your closet and clothes in constant state of mint-freshness requires vigilance on your part.
This is what you must do for best results.
Clean and organize your clothes and every now and then on a sunny day and keep the closet doors open to sunlight. This prevents mildew.
Putting your clothes in a cleaned closet also means that there is no bad odor in the closet that can be transferred to your wardrobe.
Only completely dried clothes should be allowed access into the closet. Sweaty clothes? A strict no-no.
Also, keep clothes at a distance from each other so air can circulate properly.
And say no to plastic bags. Not only do these bags result in your clothes smelling moldy but using cloth bags also means you are reducing your plastic footprint.
This is especially true for leather garments. In fact, if possible keep them out of bags and give them as much space as possible.
And go for natural fibers like cotton or wool. They are less liable to stink than their synthetic counterparts, besides being good options for slow fashion.
What about footwear?
For an even more eco-friendly lifestyle, combine these tips with an eco-friendly laundry routine.
Mold In The Closet Heres How To Get Rid Of It For Good
Last Updated on January 25, 2021 by Diana Rodriguez-Zaba
A hacking cough, chronic fatigue, and red, itchy eyes might be a sign of a hidden culprit: mold growing in your closet.
Toxic black mold thrives in dark, damp areas, releasing spores as it feeds on materials found in drywall, carpet, paper, cardboard, or fabric. Breathing in these spores can cause symptoms you might mistake for a respiratory infection or allergies.
More severe cases of mold poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, or bleeding in the lungs and nose.
Do you know how to remove mold in the closet?
Our certified ServiceMaster Chicago cleaning and restoration specialists have years of experience providing mold removal for area homeowners.
From attics to basements and even the cleanest closets, weve seen it all. We know why it happens, and we know how to prevent it too.
Lets get started.
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How To Remove Odors From Shoes
After providing Home Cleaning in Austin areas for over 23 years, you could say we know a thing or two about removing odors. Weve chosen to clean our clients Austin homes with a natural based approach mainly because of the facts that we know. Homes are closed boxes filled with scents that linger. So theres no need to add more scents to cover up the odors. Natural substances that trap the odors rather than masking them are the key to removing odors from shoes.Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of Baking Soda inside each insole.Shake the baking soda around the shoe to let it get into the crevices.Place the shoes outside on a nice sunny day so that the air can mix with the baking soda.Now shake the baking soda out of each shoe.Dont restore them yet! Now we have to address where they live.about:blank
Mold On Shoes Inside Your Closet
This follows the same rules as clothing inside your closet. If you put footwear inside your closet that is wet and damp, chances are you will see mold growing on them in the not-too-distant future. You must ensure that you dry your footwear entirely before storing them inside your closet to prevent mold growth from water, snow, sweat, and moisture on footwear from regular use.
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Natural Odor Eliminator Gel
I wouldnt recommend most odor eliminating gels, simply because they are usually made of artificial fragrances. However, there is one brand that I highly recommend!
Fresh Wave has a variety of non-toxic odor eliminating products. For closets, these odor removing gel packs are brilliant.
All you need to do is take off the cover and place in your closet. Expect a jar to last about a month or two.
Fresh Wave states that the gels are non-hazardous to people and pets.
So how do they work? All natural ingredients such as cedarwood, lime, clove and pine anise are released into the air as water from the gel evaporates into your closet.
All of Fresh Waves products are Made in the USA in Indiana.
Refill packs are available to save money and packaging when refreshing the gel.
Fresh Wave IAQ Commercial Odor Eliminating Gel is more heavily concentrated than the gel above intended for use in homes. If you have a very big odor problem, or you dont mind a more intense scent, then you could use their commercial products.
Another natural air purifying gel is Kanberra Gel. This one has tea tree oil and other essential oils to remove the odors. It is all natural, as well, and has refillable packs to save on packaging.
What Causes Bad Smells In A Closet
As mentioned in the section above, mold and mildew can have the strongest scent out of anything else. Older houses tend to have more of a prominent smell as a result of mold and mildew. Wet towels, swimsuits, and ski suits carry moisture with them and it’s easy to accidentally place these on wooden shelves in a poorly ventilated closet. Once you know that your smelly closet isn’t a severe mold problem, then consider some of the other sources of closet odors:
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Shoe Storage That Doesn’t Stink: What’s Your Solution
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have a pair of leather pumps that were stored in a cardboard box too long and have a musty odor. I have tried baking soda, talcum powder, Febreze, vinegar, dryer sheets, vodka, charcoal, absorbent crystals, pieces of chalk and crumbled newspaper. Ive even left them in the freezer. Nothing is working. I dont want to trash them but Im at a loss as to what might work. Any suggestions? Also, what is the best way to keep shoes that arent worn that often? Are those plastic bins okay?
Marie W.
Dear Marie: Youve sure shown more creativity and patience than I would have in trying to get rid of the musty smell. Some other suggestions: Lemon or orange peel lavender oil odor removal spray or those plastic balls they sell at athletic shoe stores and elsewhere to remove foot odor. Or take them to a shoe repair place and ask for advice. Readers, can you help Marie? Plastic boxes are ok for normal storage of shoes you wear fairly often and arent crazy valuable. Expensive designer shoes often come with their own cloth dust bag for storage . And if you really want to preserve the shoes, buy acid-free archival boxes available on amazon.com for a pricey $20 each.
And this just in from a reader
Judy T.
Loretta K.
How To Get Rid Of Mold Inside A Closet
As with all forms of mold, removing mold on the structure of a closet is best left to professionals at Mold Busters. Its advised that homeowners not remove mold colonies inside their homes as mold spreads easily and could be dangerous. Without proper techniques and personal protective equipment, you could be making yourself and your family sick. If there is a bit of mold growth on some clothing items, remove them, wash them thoroughly, and make sure they are completely dry before putting them back into the closet.
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Signs Of Mold In The Closet
Having respiratory symptoms that you cant shake, headaches that are getting worse, and a musty odor in your home are unmistakable signs you have mold in your home.
Closets can be a likely culprit because theyre usually dark with back walls and corners that are difficult to see.
Sometimes black mold spores are visible on walls, so shed light on your closet walls to check. They can also be green or white.
What Does Mold Inside Closets Look Like
Mold inside a closet can take on many forms. It can be of various colors and textures. Some could be black and circular in growth pattern, while others can be dark green and have a hairy look. White mold is another mold that frequently grows in residential closets. You should be aware of what these look like and have a basic knowledge of what to look for. Once identified, a Mold Busters professional should be contacted to inspect the area.
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Practice Good Foot Care
Taking good care of your feet also takes care of the rough, cracked spots where odor-causing bacteria thrive. So, keep your toenails trimmed and any calluses filed. If cracking or rough feet are ongoing problems, get in the habit of applying a thick layer of foot lotion or petroleum jelly to your feet before bed, then sleep in a pair of socks to lock in the moisture.
How To Make Your Closet Smell Good
If you want to know how to make your closet smell good you need to use these awesome tips and ideas pronto.
Does your closet smell like a dirty sock? I could happen if you keep shoes in there.
Does perhaps smell musty?
It is new and you want to get rid of new wardrobe smell?
Or maybe you just want to keep your closet smelling good and nice?
Whatever your reason I have brilliant DIY home remedies and tips to keep your closet smelling good and fresh all day long.
Lets learn how to get rid of closet smell!
Please note that this post contains affiliate links. It means that if you buy through my links I will receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you.
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Look For The Original Cause Of The Bad Smell
We all know that the bad smell of the shoes is due to the sweat on our feet. But sometimes, surely you have noticed that there are shoes that smell more than others. Perhaps it is due to the insoles that absorb more sweat and retain it, which favors bacteria’s appearance.
Other times, it may be due to some hormonal disorder that a specialist in the subject must evaluate.
If you notice that the shoes’ bad smell does not disappear quickly, you should change the insoles regularly. If you can’t do it, use special ones that protect you from bad odor and bacteria. Be aware that long-term odor can cause foot problems.
How To Freshen Up A Closet Using Eco
The obvious answer to wardrobe smelling issues is an air freshener. But that comes with its own set of issues. Most of these commercial household air fresheners comprise toxins and organic compounds that can lead to health issues like asthma.
But there are natural alternatives you can use, such as the ones below.
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Elite Shoe Deodorizer And Foot Spray
This product serves multiple purposes as a shoe deodorizer, a foot spray, and a moisturizer. It can control odors and prevent your feet from becoming smelly.
Once you start using this product, you will notice that your feet are becoming healthier. Formulated in the United States, it contains 11 helpful herbs and 7 pure essential oils. It can both moisturize and repair dry feet. As soon as you spray the product on, you will feel an icy sensation.
Scented Blocks Of Wood
How about getting a little rustic and using a simple block of wood?
The earthy sandalwood is one amazing option, which you can keep in a corner of your closet. Over time, your clothes will absorb the scent.
If you have other wood which does not quite please the olfactory senses the way sandalwood does, simply treat them with essential oils.
Wooden blocks can be coated with lavender, rosemary or lemon, which are some of the more common essential oils for closet use.
And it does not have to be a bland old piece of wood. Add a personal touch by carving a design into the wood or ask your local carpenter to do it for you.
You can save the chippings for a potpourri.
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How To Remove Odor From Leather Shoes
Leather shoes are everyones favorite. Wearing them from time to time will cause a bad odor in them which is due to sweating, dirt, bacterial and fungal presence in the shoes. But there are some easy methods through which you can easily remove the smell from your favorite shoes.
One of the easiest ways of removing bad odor is disinfecting the shoes with a natural cleanser. You can make this cleaning solution by using vinegar, water, and tea tree oil. Follow it up by using baking soda. You can also use commercially made disinfectant spray for this purpose as well.
Following are the steps that you should follow while removing odors from your smelly shoes.
