How to Prevent Mold and Mildew in Your Closets

It’s a terrible sensation to open your closet and smell the stench of mold or mildew and see the dark tell-tale spots. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prevent this from happening in the future:

How to Keep Mold and Mildew from Growing in Your Closet:

• Never store wet or damp fabric in your closet: Always dry clothes, bedsheets, towels and other fabric items completely before storing them in your closet.
• Don’t store anything on the closet floor: Leaky plumbing fixtures can cause moisture to rise up on the closet floor, which will encourage the growth of mold. Anything kept on the closet floor will get wet and moldy and possibly even hide the moisture for a while.
• Don’t pack too many things into your closet: It’s better to leave room for air to circulate around your clothes and other closet items.
• Keep plastic bags out of the closet: Plastic bags, especially those that hold your clothes after picking them up from a dry cleaner, tend to trap moisture.
• Clean out your closets periodically: Remove all the items, check for moisture inside the closet, and replace items. Keep the closet doors open for at least a few hours and also vacuum. Do this at least once a year to check for moisture problems and make sure your items stay clean and dry.
• Close the doors if a room is humid: If you are in a particularly humid season or if the closet is adjacent to a particularly humid room, such as a bathroom, keep the closet doors closed to lock out the humidity.

Mold and mildew can be a serious health hazard in your home. If you suspect mold or mildew, be sure to call the experts at ServiceMaster of Spartanburg for a thorough evaluation and cleaning.