How to Get Rid of Musty Smells in Your Closet, According to an Air Quality Expert

There's nothing that can put a damper on laundry day quite like musty odors coming from your closet. Do you really want to put your freshly laundered clothes in there? No way. Moreover, musty closet smells can eventually seep into other areas of your home, making it smell less than clean. Fortunately, you can stop the stink in its tracks: A few effective steps will have you banishing those unpleasant odors from your closet for good.

The most important part of eliminating closet odors is identifying potential sources of unpleasant smells and treating them accordingly. A musty smell often comes from trapped moisture, poor ventilation, or hidden mold, all of which can linger on clothing and belongings. Below, find practical ways to remove musty odors from your closet, helping you create a fresh and clean space.

Materials Needed:

• Baking soda
• Basic bar soap
• Laundry detergent
• Deodorizer with enzymes
• All-purpose cleaner
• Clean cloths
• Fan
• Dehumidifier

Start by Reducing Moisture

According to Andy Fox, filtration and indoor air quality specialist at 3M, reducing humidity and promoting airflow is essential in ridding closets of musty smells and odors. Because most closets are windowless and unconnected from the central heat and air, they often don’t get the circulation required to keep ambient moisture levels at bay.

To help keep moisture levels low and smells away, consider the following tips.

1. "Keep the closet door open to improve air circulation," says Fox. "Consider using a fan to circulate air in and out of the closet." 
2. Make sure all clothing is fully dry before hanging it in the closet. If a garment cannot be machine-dried, hang it to dry in a well-ventilated area before putting it away.
3. Avoid trapping moisture, dust, and odors by spacing garments so air can circulate between each item. When clothes are placed very closely together, they don’t receive proper airflow. This creates a damp environment where bacteria and mildew can grow, causing unpleasant odors.
4. Run a dehumidifier designed for small spaces to remove excess ambient moisture from the air, and keep your central air running. “Take extra care to maintain your home’s air quality by changing your HVAC air filter at least every three months,” recommends Fox.
5. Humidity in other areas of your home can impact the air quality in your closet. “Take extra care in the kitchen and bathroom to avoid adding moisture to your home’s air,” Fox says. “Run exhaust fans while showering, cooking, and dishwashing by hand or machine.”

How to Clean and Deodorize Closets

Any area harboring an odor can benefit from a thorough general cleaning. When it comes to your closet, follow the below steps to clean and deodorize the space.

1. Using a mild all-purpose cleaner and a slightly damp clean cloth, wipe down the closet walls, doors, hardware, and shelves. Pay special attention to tight spaces where dust and odor can collect. 
2. Vacuum or sweep the floors. (Don't forget about those corners!)
3. Place a baking soda-based moisture and odor eliminator in the closet, replacing once every 6 to 8 weeks. 
4. Shoes can be a source of closet odors, so take special care when it comes to cleaning them. Allow shoes to dry fully before moving them into the closet, removing insoles if possible, to prevent bacterial growth. Some shoes can be machine-washed on cold with gentle detergent. Consult your manufacturer's recommendations. For stubborn odors, sprinkle baking soda into the shoe, leave overnight, and shake thoroughly to remove. 
5. Store shoes with a dry bar of soap inside to keep odors at bay. Choosing socks woven from breathable natural fibers can also help prevent odors from forming.

Don't Forget About Your Laundry Hamper

Many of us know better than to put sweaty, damp, or heavily soiled clothes straight into the laundry hamper, especially if you keep the hamper in the closet. But we may overlook another source of odor: the hamper itself.  

For fabric hampers with removable linings:

1. Remove the fabric portion of the hamper.
2. Machine wash in a gentle cycle on cold with mild detergent.
3. Allow to fully air dry before reassembling and returning to the closet. 

For hard-side hampers and those without a removable liner, take the following steps:

1. Wipe down with a mild cleaner. 
2. Spray the inside of the hamper with a 1:1 mix of water and hydrogen peroxide.
3. Place into direct outdoor sunlight for several hours to decrease stains and odor. 

Professional Intervention

While most musty smells from cluttered clothing, shoes, or laundry are manageable on your own, others may require professional help. Some often overlooked areas outside your home can contribute to damp, musty odors indoors—which is why consulting a pro can be beneficial. 

"Practice preventative landscaping," says Fox. "Ensure the ground slopes away from your foundation. Clean and repair roof gutters, too, ensuring they deliver water away from your home’s foundation... and insulate pipes. It’ll help curb condensation accumulation."

It's also important to remember that persistent or unusual odors—like strong sour, sulfur, decay, or smoke smells—could indicate serious issues. These may include mold, gas leaks, animal remains, or electrical problems. These situations require professional expertise and equipment to address safely and effectively.