A wardrobe without that wardrobe smell

Short answer: Air the wardrobe, put away only fully dry clothes and leave space between the pieces. The smell comes from moisture that cannot escape. Without moisture nothing happens, so that is what to tackle, not the scent itself.

Where the smell comes from

The smell comes from moisture in fabric that is packed tightly together. Bacteria and mould live on that moisture, and the smell is their waste. Without moisture nothing happens. That is why spraying scent into the wardrobe rarely helps, since you only cover up something that is still going on and will come back.

Why moisture is the key

All textiles hold a little moisture, and it must be able to leave again. In a closed wardrobe with tightly packed clothes the air stands still and the moisture does not escape. It is the same principle as a wet sock in a closed shoe. When air can move, the fabric dries and the smell finds no foothold.

Put away only fully dry clothes

The first and most important thing is that clothes are completely dry when they go in. That goes for freshly washed clothes and for pieces you wore for just one day. Hang them in front of the wardrobe for an hour first. If in doubt, wait, since one damp piece can affect the whole shelf around it.

Space between the pieces

Leave about two fingers of space between the pieces on the rail. Then the air can move and the moisture gets away. If the wardrobe is stuffed, the air stands still, and that is where the smell starts first. If you own too many clothes, it is better to clear out than to squeeze the last piece onto a full rail.

Air the wardrobe once a week

Open the wardrobe for ten minutes once a week, ideally with a window open in the room. That renews the air and dries the moisture that has gathered. Leave the doors open while you do other things. Many find it a habit that costs almost nothing but makes a clear difference over time.

If the smell is already there

Empty the wardrobe, wipe it with a slightly damp cloth, dry it with a dry one and leave it open for a day. Wash the clothes that hung in the smell before they go back. Take out shelves if you can. Have a look at bamboo undershirts for men, which are easy to wash.

Scent bags and dehumidifiers

Scent bags cover the smell but do not remove the cause, so use them at most as a small extra. If you have a damp room, a dehumidifier is the most direct solution, because it takes moisture out of the air before it reaches the fabric. Switch it on with the wardrobe open and see whether the room stays dry afterwards.

Bedding and the shelf

Bedding takes up a lot of space and holds moisture easily if put away too soon. Make sure bamboo fitted sheets and other sheets are completely dry and have some air around them on the shelf. Lay them loosely, not pressed, and change places now and then so air reaches every side of the pile.

A simple routine that works

Make it a habit to check the wardrobe when the season changes. Take everything out, air it and put back only what you actually use. That also gives you an overview of what you own. Have a look at bamboo tops for women, which you can fold and place loosely on the shelf between seasons.

Frequently asked questions

Do scent bags help

They cover the smell. They do not remove the cause, which is moisture staying in the wardrobe. Use them at most as a small extra to airing and putting away dry clothes.