Preventing Mold Growth in Your Custom Closets

Mold is a microscopic form of fungus that comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. While mold is relatively benign, it can wreak havoc in any home it enters and can also bring health ramifications along with it.

Mold loves dark, moist environments with inadequate airflow, which makes a closet space one of the most ideal breeding grounds for mold to flourish. Not only can mold cause substantial damage to your custom closets, but it can also discolor and destroy some of your most favorite fabrics.

Additionally, there are several other components that can cause mold including:

For mold to grow, moisture must be present. While a ceiling leak is one of the biggest culprits of causing excess moisture to build-up over time, in seasons of high humidity, closets can be a very conducive location for mold growth. Closets along exterior walls, in particular, have the maximum risk of mold growth, as excess water vapor can unknowingly accumulate in those dark spaces.

Another typical instance that causes mold growth in closet spaces is attic mold. Mold grows from spores and can spread quickly to new locations, which means that if you are unable to identify the origin of your closet mold, there’s a good chance it could have originated in a different area, such as your attic. If you notice mold growth in your closets but are unable to see where it came from, try inspecting the walls on the other side of your closets or the ceiling.

Another source of mold could be caused by moisture leftover from your laundry. Because of the absorbent nature of cotton, moisture is often retained in certain clothing items, making your wardrobe a prime location for mold to grow. As soon as you have moldy clothes hanging in your closet, it’s very easy for the mold to disperse to other pieces of clothing.

Common Signs You Have Mold in Your Custom Closets

If you’re unsure about whether or not you have mold in your closet space, take a look at a few of the most common symptoms below. If you notice any of the following, there’s a good chance you may have mold in your closets.

• A Strange Smell

One of the most common hints of mold is a musty odor coming from your closet area.

• Staining

Mold can also be seen in brown, black, yellow, green, or grey stains on your closet walls.

• Peeling Paint or Bubbling Wall Surfaces

Trapped moisture in your walls can cause your paint to bubble or crack over time, and as previously mentioned, where there’s moisture, there could also be mold.

If you notice that you have mold growth taking place in your closet, don’t worry, there are steps that you can take to remedy the issue. While mold removal is better left to professionals, if you take proper health and safety measures and wear personal protective equipment such as a mask and gloves, you can safely remove mold in your closet.

• Ventilate Your Closet

Open nearby windows to provide adequate ventilation.

• Clean And Remove Mold

Next, mix several drops of dishwashing soap into a bucket of warm water and use a stiff brush to scrub and remove the mold.

• Wash and Clean The Affected Area 

After scrubbing the area, rinse the area with clean, warm water (a spray bottle works best for this step).

• Dry The Area

After rinsing the area, use big towels to dry the surface and keep nearby doors and windows open to ventilate the area until it is completely dry.

While nobody likes to see mold in their closet spaces, the good news is that there are ways to prevent it from potentially occurring. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways you can prevent mold growth in your custom closets.

Damp clothes, such as sweaty sportswear or wet shoes, combined with soiled fabrics, is an ideal breeding ground for mold growth. Before putting any of the clothes in your closet, always be sure that everything you put in your closet is not only clean but also dry. If you have clothes that are still a little damp, let those clothing items hang dry or put them in the dryer once more before hanging them back in your closet.

Another essential method to prevent mold growth in your closets is to clean your closet areas regularly. To prevent the accumulation of dirt and other substances in your closet, move items away your closet area, wash the closet area, use a vacuum, and make sure that the interior of your closet is adequately dried before putting any clothing back. Additionally, you may also want to open doors or windows to allow fresh air to circulate the space.

If all else fails, one sure way to help remove trapped humidity inside your closets is by investing in a dehumidifier or air purifier. Enclosed closets have limited airflow, which can cause humidity to become trapped inside and promote the growth of mold. By using a dehumidifier, you can effectively remove excess moisture in the room and facilitate adequate airflow and circulation.

As an alternative, you can also invest in an air purifier. Not only are these great for your health, but they’re also great for preventing mold growth in closets as well. If you choose the air purifier route, consider a unit that comes with a HEPA filter, as this can help trap fungi spores and prevent them from entering your closets in the first place.

• Don’t pack clothing items too tight in closets.
• Avoid storing clothing items in sealed containers.
• Leave closet doors open when possible.

No matter how clean your home may be, even the cleanest of homes can fall victim to a mold outbreak. While there's no one-size-fits-all solution in regard to preventing mold growth in your custom closets, knowing how to look for it, how to remove it, and how to prevent it from returning is a critical first step. With these measures in place, you won't need to worry about mold growing anywhere near your clothes anytime soon.