There’s nothing more unpleasant than storing things in a place that smells like goat!

Whether it’s your loved one’s shoes, sweatpants you forgot to wash, or a pile of sheets you’ve never used, don’t worry.

A little cleaning, a little tidying, and voila — you’ll have a perfect closet again!

1  ) Remove musty odors

Find those piles of clothes or linens that have been lying there for ages, take everything out, unfold it, and then fold it again, occasionally inserting a sheet of absorbent paper moistened with 2-3 drops of essential oil.

lavender or lemon!

It’s tough, but it’s effective at getting rid of those little critters that nest in your stuff! To neutralize odors without emptying everything, place a bowl of boiling milk inside, close the door, and leave it overnight. Most odors don’t stand a chance against such a radical remedy.

2) Disinfect all surfaces

If your closet or dresser has been full for a long time, it’s best to empty everything and thoroughly disinfect the surface:

• If you are using wooden furniture, clean all walls, including shelves, with a little water and white vinegar, wipe dry and air out the room before re-filling it.

• Clean a cabinet with painted walls and shelves with a small amount of water and white vinegar; vacuum the wallpaper thoroughly with a brush attachment and wipe with a dry cloth.

My little tip  : if the shelves are dirty, wash them thoroughly and cover them with wallpaper that is easy to wash with a sponge.

3) Avoid sources of moisture

No air, no light… you need to get rid of the humidity! If your closet or pantry is turning into a breeding ground for mold, it’s because of micro-fungi, which are also responsible for unpleasant odors. Stop storing damp laundry or freshly ironed clothes. Always leave the door slightly ajar after you put away freshly ironed clothes. Also check the closet for water leaks in the walls, dripping pipes, etc.

My little tip  : if you can’t control the source of the moisture, place two moisture absorbers, one on top and one on the bottom, and regularly remove the accumulated water.

4) It is forbidden to import unpleasant odors

If you store smelly shoes or clothes in your closet, it’s normal for the smell to build up. Leave newly worn sneakers overnight before putting them away; store dirty clothes in a well-ventilated basket in the bathroom or somewhere else rather than “scenting” the entire closet; stuff wet shoes with newspaper and throw them away when they’re dry.

5) Create air circulation

In a closet, leave the door open from time to time to freshen the air, and it’s even better if you ventilate the room at the same time. In a closet, opening the door for ventilation is good, but creating constant ventilation is even better. You can drill holes in the walls or doors to install vents (although this is not very aesthetic), or you can cut out the bottom and/or top of the door to allow air circulation. Finally, the best solution is to connect to an existing mechanical ventilation system (MVHR).

My additional tips  : use a light scent, but avoid the famous orange with cloves, which spoils quite quickly. It is better to scatter small sachets of lavender or soap wrapped in a handkerchief (when they lose their scent, replace them and use them in the shower), or even… small ceramic pieces to which you add a few drops of lemon or lavender essential oil – they smell great and clean!