How to Keep Clothes Smelling Fresh in Your Wardrobe

Opening your wardrobe to the fresh scent of clean clothes is a simple pleasure. However, maintaining that freshness isn’t always easy. Over time, wardrobes can develop musty smells due to humidity, dust, or improper storage, which can affect the condition of your clothes.

This blog will explore tips to help you keep your wardrobe and the contents smelling clean and fresh. From natural fresheners to proper storage techniques, and even the benefits of bespoke wardrobes designed to prevent odours, you’ll discover easy ways to ensure your clothes stay in top condition.

Regularly clean your wardrobe

It’s vital to regularly clean your wardrobe to keep it fresh and organised. Over time, dust, dirt, and even sweat can accumulate in your wardrobe, which can contribute to unwanted odours and make your clothes feel less fresh. You should aim to regularly dust your wardrobe’s shelves, rails, and helps to keep it clean and free of debris. This can also prevent dust from settling on your clothing, which can cause a stale or musty smell.

To remove musty smells from your wardrobe, it’s important to clean the visible areas as well as the hidden spaces where moisture and mildew can build up. For a deep clean, empty your wardrobe and wipe down shelves with a damp cloth and mild detergent to remove dust and any grime. If your wardrobe has hanging rods, give them a quick clean as well, using a cloth or duster to remove any build-up. For deeper smells, such as mustiness, you can try wiping down the interior with a mixture of water and vinegar. This can help neutralise odours and also prevent mould or mildew from forming.

If dampness is an issue in your wardrobe, you can read more in our guide on How to Prevent Mould in a Built-In Wardrobe.

Use natural fresheners

Natural fresheners are an excellent way to keep your clothes smelling fresh, especially if you would prefer to avoid using harsh chemicals. Products like lavender bags, cedarwood blocks, or sachets with dried herbs give out a pleasant, subtle scent that can help maintain freshness in your wardrobe. Lavender in particular is known for having a calming aroma, which can be perfect for a bedroom, as well as antibacterial properties that can help to keep your clothes free from unwanted odours. Cedarwood is another popular choice – it offers a natural, woody fragrance but also acts as a natural moth repellent, which helps to protect your clothes from pests.

To use natural fresheners effectively, you can place a few lavender bags or cedarwood blocks in different areas of your wardrobe, such as on shelves, in hanging pockets, or tucked between clothes. This will allow the fragrance to circulate throughout your wardrobe, keeping it smelling fresh.

You can also create your own custom sachets by filling small cloth bags with dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or rose petals. For an extra burst of scent, a few drops of your favourite essential oil, such as eucalyptus, lemon, or sandalwood, can be added to the bags or blocks. You’ll just need to refresh the oils every few weeks to keep the scent strong and pleasant.

Store clothes properly

It’s essential to store your clothes properly in order to keep them smelling fresh. One of the most common causes of musty smells is storing clothes while they are damp or in a humid environment. To avoid this, always ensure that your clothes are completely dry before placing them in your wardrobe. If you’ve worn something recently, allow it to air out or hang it in a well-ventilated space before storing it away.

You should try to avoid cramming your clothes into tight spaces, as this can restrict airflow and encourage the growth of mildew. Instead, leave some space between garments to allow air to circulate and keep your wardrobe fresh.

You can use garment bags or storage bins to provide additional protection from odours. Garment bags are particularly useful for protecting delicate or infrequently worn items from dust, moisture, and pests. For seasonal clothes or items you don't wear regularly, storage bins with airtight lids can keep them safe from humidity and help prevent odour build-up. Opting for clear bins can help you to easily identify the contents without opening them, making it easier to find what you need.

Freshen up your clothes between washes

Keeping your clothes fresh between washes can help extend their lifespan while ensuring they always smell clean and pleasant. One effective way to freshen clothes is by using fabric sprays. These sprays are designed to eliminate odours and leave behind a light, refreshing scent. They are particularly useful for items that can’t be washed frequently, such as coats, suits, or delicate fabrics. You simply need to spray a light mist on the clothes, focusing on areas where odours may linger, such as underarms or collars. Some fabric sprays also have antibacterial properties, which help to prevent the growth of bacteria that cause unwanted smells.

Another great method to keep your clothes fresh is to steam them. Steaming not only removes wrinkles but also helps to eliminate odours by releasing steam into the fabric, which lifts away any trapped smells. This method is perfect for clothes that need a quick refresh without a full wash.

You can also regularly air out and rotate your wardrobe to help maintain freshness. Hanging clothes out in the fresh air for a few hours can work wonders, especially after they've been worn. This will allow them to breathe and release any accumulated moisture or odour. To keep your wardrobe smelling fresh, try to make a habit of rotating your clothing regularly, ensuring that garments are not left in the same spot for too long. This practice prevents build-up and ensures that all items in your wardrobe are worn evenly and refreshed between washes.

Benefits of tailored storage for your clothes

Bespoke wardrobes from Kingswood are designed with both functionality and style in mind, offering tailored storage solutions that keep you organised as well as keep your clothes fresh and protected. An important feature of custom, fitted wardrobes is their ability to provide proper ventilation. With strategic design choices, such as adjustable shelving, open compartments, and adequate airflow, our wardrobes ensure that air can circulate freely around your clothing. This circulation prevents moisture build-up, which is a common cause of musty smells and mildew. By integrating ventilation into the design, our bespoke wardrobes create an environment that keeps clothes dry, fresh, and free from damp.

In addition to ventilation, tailored storage solutions offer several other benefits for maintaining a fresh-smelling wardrobe. Our custom wardrobes can include dedicated spaces for shoes, accessories, and outerwear, which will prevent items from being overcrowded.

Kingswood’s focus on creating perfectly organised spaces helps you keep your wardrobe tidy, with everything in its place and nothing left to accumulate unpleasant smells. With a bespoke, fitted wardrobe, you can ensure your clothes stay fresh and well-cared for, while the elegant design enhances the overall style and functionality of your home.

Contact us for more information or book your consultation with our design team for a free, no-obligation chat.