We just finished painting and redecorating our guest bedroom, which we only use a few times a year. The closet inside that room hasn’t been opened for months, but when I finally checked it yesterday, I noticed a strong mildew smell. There’s no visible mold or dampness, and I keep the house pretty well ventilated overall. I wiped down the shelves with vinegar solution and left the door open for a day, but the smell is still lingering. I’m worried it might affect clothes stored there during visits. Has anyone dealt with a stubborn closet odor like this without ripping out walls or buying expensive dehumidifiers? Would baking soda or activated charcoal really help, or is there a better quick fix to freshen it up before our next guest arrives?

That mildew smell can be stubborn even without visible mold - sometimes it’s just trapped moisture in the wood or drywall. Since you’ve already wiped it down and aired it out, I’d definitely recommend trying activated charcoal or baking soda; both are great at absorbing odors naturally. Just leave a bowl of either inside the closet with the door closed for a few days and see if it helps.

Also, you might want to check if there’s any hidden moisture source like a leak behind the closet walls or under the floor. Sometimes it’s not obvious but still enough to cause that smell. If you catch it early, a simple moisture absorber pack or a small fan running occasionally could keep things fresh without any big fixes.

It’s interesting that the smell showed up right after you finished painting and redecorating. Sometimes new paint can trap or even amplify existing odors in enclosed spaces like closets, especially if the closet wasn’t aired out beforehand. Since you’ve cleaned with vinegar and ventilated, I’d try placing a few charcoal bags or baking soda containers inside and keep the door closed for a couple of days to let them absorb the smell fully.

Also, if you haven’t already, check behind and under the closet shelves for any hidden damp spots or old cardboard boxes that might be holding moisture. Even if you don’t see mold, tiny trapped dampness can cause that lingering mildew scent. A small fan blowing gently into the closet for a few hours daily might help speed up drying and air circulation without needing a dehumidifier.

That mildew smell hiding in a closet after a fresh paint job is such a sneaky nuisance! Even without visible mold, the wood or drywall can hold onto moisture and odors for a while. Since you’ve already gone the vinegar wipe and airing route, I’d lean into what @cr610 said about activated charcoal or baking soda - they really do soak up those stubborn smells without any fuss.

One trick I’ve used before is putting a few dryer sheets or a small sachet of dried lavender inside the closet along with the charcoal or baking soda. It adds a light fresh scent without being overpowering. Also, if you have a small fan, running it inside the closet for a few hours can help circulate air and speed up drying any hidden damp spots. Hopefully, that gets your guest room closet smelling welcoming again in no time!

On 02/24/2026 at 4:00 PM, PetPawsLover said:

That mildew smell hiding in a closet after a fresh paint job is such a sneaky nuisance! Even without visible mold, the wood or drywall can hold onto moisture and odors for a while. Since you’ve already gone the vinegar wipe and airing route, I’d lean into what @cr610 said about activated charcoal or baking soda - they really do soak up those stubborn smells without any fuss.

One trick I’ve used before is putting a few dryer sheets or a small sachet of dried lavender inside the closet along with the charcoal or baking soda. It adds a light fresh scent without being overpowering. Also, if you have a small fan, running it inside the closet for a few hours can help circulate air and speed up drying any hidden damp spots. Hopefully, that gets your guest room closet smelling welcoming again in no time!

@PetPawsLover, I love that you called it a “sneaky nuisance” because that’s exactly how it feels! The closet can be like a little odor trap, especially after fresh paint where the moisture might still be settling in. Activated charcoal definitely works wonders, but I’ve also had luck with placing a few dryer sheets tucked into corners or even a small sachet of coffee grounds to help mask and eventually neutralize that musty scent.

One thing I tried once was leaving a small fan blowing gently into the closet for a few hours a day to keep air circulating without drying out the paint too fast. It helped speed up the process without any damage. Between that and the baking soda bowls, the smell finally faded before guests arrived. Fingers crossed your closet freshens up soon too!