There are a lot of reasons why you might find your closet having an odd smell. Maybe your clothes are wet, there is no proper air circulation, or there is mold growing. So, all these reasons can be solved by making the use of a moisture absorber or a dehumidifier.

Also, keep your clothes dry.  The other thing you can do to make these odours go naturally is to use baking soda or activated charcoal. It’s going to help you have a good and fresh smell from your closet.

Why Does My Closet Smell Musty? Common Causes of Mustiness in Closets

1. Lack of Ventilation: If there is no proper air circulation, I can guarantee you that with time your closet is going to start having an odd smell. And also, if there are high humidity levels, this gives a chance for mold to grow, and hence the musty smell starts coming from your closet.
2. Absorbing Moisture from the Environment: For houses that have been built for a long time and are specifically located in high-humidity areas, it can be easy for them to have that moisture trapped into your clothes and make your clothes wet. As a result of this, your clothes start producing that odd smell.
3. Seasonal Changes: When it starts raining, it’s going to have an effect on your clothes, especially if the houses are heated. There is going to be high levels of humidity, making your clothes more  exposed to having this musty smell.

How to Identify Mold and Mildew in Your Closet

1. Visual Inspection:

You can just do this by looking around in your closet regularly. This will help you to see if there is mold buildup or not in your closet. They often come out as spots that are everywhere on the clothes or in your closet. 

They usually come in pink, green, white, or black colours. So take note of these things, especially around the walls, the corners, the floors, or any area that is in contact with the walls. So if you are going to do this, make sure you do the same to your shoes’ shoe boxes, as mould can even start growing on your belongings. 

2. Smell Test:

Whenever you open your closet and feel any musty or earthy smell from it, don’t ignore it, as it signifies the presence of mould growth in your closet.

3. Check for Dampness:

 Check your walls and everything else that is connected to the exterior on a regular basis. make sure that they are completely dry because mold and mildew grow rapidly in areas where there is dampness.

4. Use a Humidity Meter:

 Make use of a hygrometer to check the humidity  levels. If it is almost above 60%, this can be a good environment for mold growth. So, monitoring this can help you know if your closet area is prone to mould growth.

5. Look for Condensation:

If you begin to notice any slight chances of condensation on the ceiling, walls, or other items that are in your room, this can be an indicator to tell you that there are high humidity levels in your room, proving to be a good place for mold growth.

6. Discoloration on Fabric and Walls:

Every time you start to see any of your clothes start to change colour, do not always take it for granted. Rather, this can be the indication that moulds are growing and developing on your clothes. So, making these checks from time to time will help you identify these problems and take some measures to prevent them from growing. 

Steps to Remove Musty Smells from Your Closet

1. Improve Air Circulation: This is one of the most important things that you are going to have to do. It is very important for you to allow your doors to open for some time every day to allow the air to circulate in and out of your closet.
2. Use Moisture Absorbers: There are things that can be used for keeping your closet fresh every time such as activated charcoal, silica gel. They are helpful in cases like this.
3. Clean and Dry Everything Thoroughly: Cultivate a habit of cleaning your closet completely on a regular basis. Also wash all your clothes and belongings. This can help you to make sure that your closet is clean and let everything dry before returning it to the closet.

Preventive Measures to Keep the Mustiness at Bay

1. Keep the Closet Dry: Before you put any of your clothes or anything into your closet, make sure they are completely dry. If there’s anything that looks damp, make sure you allow it to dry completely.
2. Use Deodorizers: Natural deodorizers can be used for always keeping your closet and clothes smell fresh. These include baking soda or cedar blocks. They can help you have that sweet smell and smell fresh from your closet every time you open it.
3. Regular Cleaning: It is important for you to be performing these regular cleanings from time to time to make sure there is no room for mold to grow in your closet. 

When to Seek Professional Help

If you have tried the best that you can do to remove the musty smell and if it is still not working, it is important for you to start looking for professional help because this is going to help you identify what the problem is and will help you get the perfect solution.

In Conclusion

Having bad smells in your closet can be a reason for many things, and the key to making sure that everything is running smoothly is by having air circulate in your room.  Also, make sure that you clean your closet on a regular basis. Once you follow all these steps, it is guaranteed that there will no longer be any earthy or musty smells coming out of your closet.