Clever Ways to Deodorize Your Closets

Clean the Hamper Itself

You likely already dealt with the dirty clothes in your closet, but did you also clean the hamper itself? This might seem a bit unorthodox, but hampers easily absorb odors from the clothes you put in them. If you can, remove the hamper’s inner lining and run it through the wash.

If the lining isn’t removable, use disinfectant wipes on both the inside and outside of the hamper and make liberal use of air freshener.

Use Dryer Sheets

Many of us use dryer sheets to help remove static from our clothes, but not many people know that they’re just as effective at removing odors. Simply place a sheet over each of the odorous areas in your closet (think shoe racks and near hampers) and that foul smell should be replaced by the smell of clean laundry in no time at all.

Try Herbs and Cotton Bags

Another clever trick for canceling out foul odors in your closet is to take herbs from your pantry, rub them between your hands to activate their natural scent, and place them in cotton bags. These bags will keep any fine herbs from spilling while allowing for breathability. This will give your closet an all-natural, clean scent.

Don’t Forget Soap

Another clever trick that will require a few spare household items is the bar soap method. Take a regular bar of soap and wrap it in sheer fabric. Put that on a shelf with your clothes or in a drawer, and you should have a subtle but effective odor-prevention method for your closet.

Spray Down Your Hangers

Wooden hangers are elegant and effective at keeping your clothes sorted, but they also retain odors in much the same way that cloth hampers do. Luckily, it’s easy to clean and deodorize your wooden hangers.

Simply wipe them down with antibacterial wipes, then spray them with air freshener to keep them smelling fresh. You can even get a bit creative and spray them with either perfume or cologne if you’d like. Whatever works best for you!

Try Out Essential Oils

Probably the best use for spare essential oils in your house, even a small amount of citrus juice or bergamot is enough to clear out that foul smell in your closet. A simple $15-$20 diffuser that you’ll find at any major big box store should get the job done.

Create Your Own Air Freshener

If you really feel like taking a more DIY approach, you can always create your own air freshener from scratch. This seems intimidating at first, but it’s not difficult. All you’re going to need is an empty (and clean) spray bottle and some essential oils, cologne, or perfume. You don’t need much to get a lasting effect. Fill up the bottle about ¾ of the way with water, add about 50 drops of your scent, and shake to mix.

If you spray the affected area a few times a day, you should start to see noticeable results within the week.

Conclusion

While you’ve likely dealt with the original source of the foul smell in your closet and cleared out dirty clothes and shoes, it’s important to not overlook all the places where scent can linger or embed itself. Once you’ve followed these clever tips for deodorizing your closets and gotten a little creative in your approach, you should have a clean and fresh space in no time!