Musty smell in wardrobes and closed rooms: causes and fixes

Why wardrobes smell first

• Doors stay shut, so air barely moves.
• Fabric, leather and wood absorb moisture and release it slowly.
• Wardrobes against exterior walls or bathrooms can sit against a cooler or damper surface.
• Homes left with the AC off while travelling can build up humidity quickly.

What to do

1. Open up. Leave wardrobe doors open for a few hours each day and keep a gap between clothes and the back wall.
2. Store only dry items. Let gym bags, shoes and freshly ironed clothes cool and dry before putting them away.
3. Check behind it. Look for damp patches or dark spots on the wall behind and under the wardrobe.
4. Control the room. A compact dehumidifier in a walk-in closet or dressing room keeps the air dry. Quiet models suit bedrooms.
5. Clean and air items that already smell, then keep the space dry so the smell does not return.

When the smell has no obvious source

If a room smells musty but you can't find damp or mold, the moisture may be hidden in a wall cavity, under flooring or in AC ducting. Room-by-room humidity monitoring helps find it.

Frequently asked questions