Have you ever pulled your favourite dress or winter coat out of your wardrobe only to find it covered in mould? Wardrobes are notoriously dark and enclosed spaces with little to no airflow which makes them prone to dampness and, in turn, mould.
While a quick wash should help restore your frock back to normal, if you don’t take care of the dampness in your closet then you can expect this to keep happening.
Follow these simple tips to prevent dampness in your wardrobe and stop mould and mildew in its tracks.
1. Make sure your clothes are completely dry before you hang them up in your wardrobe
Storing damp clothes in a dark and enclosed space is a recipe for mould. When it’s wet and humid, drying clothes properly can seem like an impossible task. It’s also hard to tell if something is completely dry when there is so much moisture in the air that everything feels damp touch. In this case, a clothes dryer is essential for getting every ounce of water out of your garments before you store them away in your wardrobe.
2. Don’t over-stuff your wardrobe
In order to keep the contents of your wardrobe fresh and dry, you need enough room between items to allow air to flow. A seasonal wardrobe is a smart way to make space and give your clothes the breathing room they need. This involves storing away your winter woolies in summer and vice versa, only keeping out clothing items you’re likely to wear at that time of year. Use airtight vacuum storage bags to store away the clothes you won’t be wearing and make sure they are clean and dry before storing them.
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Regularly air out your closet by opening the wardrobe doors.
(Photography: Geneva Vanderzeil / Story: Inside Out) (Credit: Photo & Styling: Geneva Vanderzeil)3. Wash any clothes as soon as they show signs of mould
If mould has appeared on any clothing items or shoes, make sure you remove them from your wardrobe and wash them immediately. To get rid of the musty smell, add a splash of white vinegar to the rinse cycle or for a floral scent or make your own linen spray.
4. Regularly air out your closet
Regularly air out your closet by opening the wardrobe doors (if you have them), opening the windows in your bedroom and turning on the fans (if you have them). Take everything out of your wardrobe and wash anything that smells musty or seems damp. Clean and dry your shelves thoroughly before re-organising your wardrobe.
5. Use products to prevent dampness
If your wardrobe is prone to dampness despite diligently doing all of the above, you can use products like DampRid or a dehumidifier to absorb excess moisture f om the air. If persistent dampness is a problem, you should also check for signs of water damage in the home as you may have a leak in the roof or a rising damp issue.
Opt for a walk-in wardrobe without doors to improve airflow and visibility.
(Photo: Maree Homer / Story: real living) (Credit: Photo: Maree Homer / Story: real living)