Use products that neutralize odors to draw out closet smells.
A musty or mildewy closet is unpleasing to the senses as well as a source of odors on clothing. Closet odors can be caused by smelly shoes, exposure to water, cooking and household odors and carpet issues. The best ways to draw out odors from closets don't involve merely covering the smells up but neutralizing the odor altogether.
Cedar
Red cedar is used to construct cedar-lined closets, trunks and chests used for clothing or fabric storage. If you can't afford to line the closet with cedar, using cedar blocks or sachets will also draw smells from the closet. Cedar blocks are also available with hooks for use as hangers or closet hooks. Cedar blocks are renewable. When the aroma has faded, sand the cedar block with medium grit sandpaper all over. Cedar blocks placed on the floor of the closet will neutralize odors coming from the carpet. Cedar blocks inserted into shoes will neutralize smells originating from the inner shoe and soles. Cedar is a natural deodorizer and, as an added benefit, it will ward off moths and insects from infesting and eating your natural fiber clothing.
Baking Soda
Baking soda neutralizes odors in closets and other areas of the house. Purchase boxes of baking soda and poke about six holes in each box top with a metal skewer. Place the boxes throughout the closet. Baking soda will draw out the odors. Change the boxes every three to six months. Old boxes can be used for household cleaning but should not be ingested once used to deodorize closets.
Charcoal or Chalk
Use charcoal or chalk to draw smells from closets. Sidewalk chalk used by children for outdoor art can be purchased inexpensively at discount and dollar stores and placed in a mesh bag or directly into shoes or around baseboards. Don't put chalk or charcoal where pets or small children can reach it. Charcoal is available in many forms. Common grilling charcoal can be placed into jars or coffee cans and deposited throughout the closet to draw out odors; or purchase activated charcoal in powder, tablet, brick or granular form. Activated charcoal is used for air and water filtration in such devices as water filters and gas masks.
Air Circulation
One culprit behind smelly closets results from lack of air circulation. Humidity and water exposure can lead to mildew or mold spores growing within the carpet, drywall and paint of a closet. Musty odors are trapped within the closet if air isn't allowed to circulate. Use fans positioned with the fan back facing inside of the closet so the closet air is drawn out of the closet by the force of the fan blades. If possible, leave the closet doors open frequently to encourage water evaporation and to reduce odors.
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