When it comes to your home, you want to make sure that everything is as clean and hygienic as possible. You might not think about it until you see a moldy closet or wardrobe, but having excess moisture in your home can be very dangerous. In fact, humid conditions are perfect breeding grounds for mold, which is why many homes have problems with it. If you’re worried that your closet may be at risk of developing mold, read on for our expert cleaning tips. Even if you don’t think you have a problem with mold in your closet, it’s always worth checking to see if there are any visible signs of mold growth. Even small amounts can quickly grow into something much more substantial. Fortunately, cleaning the space and removing any damp or wet clothes can help prevent the spread of mold and keep it from coming back again in the future.
How To Get Rid Of Mold In A Closet
1. Keep the humidity down
One of the first things you need to do is get rid of excess moisture in your closet. If your closet is damp, waterlogged, or has any other type of humidity problems then it’s time to start cleaning. The best way to do this is by filling up any holes in your walls and floors with extra insulation. This will help trap in extra moisture and stop it from spreading through your home.
2. Get rid of mold-friendly clothes
If you want to keep mold at bay then you’ll need to make sure that all of the items in your closet are mold-free. This means that anything that has been wet should be thrown away, and anything that hasn’t been washed for a long period of time should be taken out as well so it can be treated properly before being put back into storage or use as appropriate.
3. Cleanse the area thoroughly
Once you’ve removed all of the mold-friendly clothing from your closet, it’s time for you to clean the area properly so that everything can be dried properly and there aren’t any lingering traces left on anything else. You should start by removing all of the shelves and drawers so that they can dry out properly before being put back into storage again, and then vacuum everything so there isn’t any dust or dirt left behind either when you go to store things away again later on. Once you’ve cleaned the whole area properly, it’s time to start getting rid of any moisture that’s still left in there.
4. Remove any mold-friendly items from storage
Once the area is dry and free of all moisture, you can start taking out all of the mold-friendly things that you don’t want to put back into your closet again. The first thing you need to do is remove any damp clothes or anything else that may be moldy or have been in contact with a damp surface at any point in the past. You should also make sure that you remove any items that aren’t going to be used again so they can dry properly before being put back into storage. You should put all of these items into a plastic bag or some other type of container so they can be taken to a professional mold remover for proper treatment.
5. Get rid of the moldy clothes and accessories
You’ll now need to get rid of any moldy clothing that you have in your closet so that it doesn’t cause any more problems for you in the future. You can do this by taking it outside, laying it out on a flat surface, and using a fan to blow air at it until it’s dry enough to be put back into storage again. You should also remember to take any mold-friendly accessories with you when you do this so they don’t end up getting contaminated with the mold once more.
6. Clean and disinfect the closet thoroughly
Once everything is dry, clean, and removed from storage again, it’s time for you to disinfect your closet properly so that there are no lingering traces left behind on anything else in there. The best way to do this is by using bleach or some other type of disinfectant spray on all surfaces in your closet that may have been contaminated by mold at any point. This will kill any hidden spores that may be present and make sure nothing ever grows back again in there. If you don’t have bleach available then you can use an alternative solution such as vinegar instead though vinegar is known for its harmful effects on fabrics so make sure not use too much of it.
7. Inspect the closet for further problems
Once you’ve done all of the above, it’s time to go through your closet again and make sure that everything is in good working order before putting things back in there. You may find that some of your items are damaged or have been warped as a result of being left damp for such a long time, so you should make sure to replace any damaged items with new ones if they’re needed again or take them to a professional dry cleaner if they need to be completely replaced.
What Causes Mold Growth In Closets?
1. Closets are often damp and humid
Closet doors and walls are often exposed to a lot of moisture from the air inside them which is a great way for mold to grow. This can lead to mildew if the humidity levels are high enough and it can also cause mold growth in other areas of your closet if it’s left damp for long enough.
2. Closets aren’t ventilated properly
Closets aren’t ventilated properly so they’re often filled with humidity which is a perfect environment for mold to grow in. The worst part about this is that it’s not just your items that are affected by this, but also your clothes as well since they will usually be stored on hangers in the closet as well.
3. Clothes dryers leak water into closets
If you have clothes dryers in your closets then you may find that they’re leaking water into them at some point, causing the humid air inside them to turn into a perfect environment for mold to grow in. This is something you should get fixed immediately before any more damage is done, especially since clothes dryers can sometimes be found behind the door of most closets as well so it’s very easy for them to get wet and damaged here too.
Tips For Preventing Mold In Closets
1. Keep the humidity in your closets to a minimum
The best way to keep mold growth in your closets at bay is by keeping the humidity levels to a minimum. It’s important that you keep the temperature of your closet at a constant temperature as well, so make sure you don’t let it get too hot or too cold. You should also try to avoid storing clothes in there for long periods of time and instead, use them as soon as possible before they start taking on any moisture from inside your closet.
2. Try not to store wet items in your closets
If you have any items that are wet or damp then it’s best not to store them here, especially if you’re going to be storing them for an extended period of time. If you do decide to store them anyway then make sure that they’re lined up with something else that’s dry so they don’t get damaged from the moisture inside the closet.
3. Clean out your closets regularly
If you have a lot of items stored in there then it can be hard not too clean out your closets regularly since they can often become crowded and filled with dirt over time which is something that makes it easier for mold spores to grow. You should also be careful when cleaning out your closets as well since some cleaners are known for their harmful effects on fabrics and will cause damage if used often enough over long periods of time which is why it’s better if you just opt for vinegar or other natural options instead.
Conclusion
When it comes to your home, you want to make sure that everything is as clean and hygienic as possible. You might not think about it until you see a moldy closet or wardrobe, but having excess moisture in your home can be very dangerous. In fact, humid conditions are perfect breeding grounds for mold, which is why many homes have problems with it. If you’re worried that your closet may be at risk of developing mold, read on for our expert cleaning tips.
