Why You Should Place A Bowl Of Vinegar In Your Closet

Most closets are relatively small and have little airflow, which can result in a musty smell. Pest droppings, mold, mildew, and dust only make things worse. The odor often becomes stronger over time, clinging to your favorite clothes. Luckily, you can keep your closet smelling fresh without resorting to harsh chemicals. One solution is to use vinegar, which acts as a natural deodorizer.

This pantry staple contains acetic acid, a compound that bonds with volatile molecules. As a result, it can eliminate odors from your kitchen, refrigerator, or other spaces, like the garage, where leaving a bowl of vinegar is a quick and effective way to banish bad smells. Similarly, you can put a bowl of white vinegar in your closet and leave it there for several days. And if you don't want your closet to smell like vinegar, pour a few drops of essential oil into the bowl, like lavender. 

White vinegar is a safe, natural alternative to air fresheners. Not only does it cost less, but it's also free of chemicals. Room sprays and similar products may contain phthalates, benzene, styrene, and other synthetic ingredients with potentially harmful effects. For example, formaldehyde and benzene have been linked to causing cancer, whereas xylene is a central nervous system depressant, according to Made Safe.

That said, pour ½ to 1 inch of white vinegar into a plastic bowl and then cover it with a tight-fitting lid. Next, poke holes into the lid so the vinegar can evaporate and banish the smells. When you're done, place the bowl on a shelf (or the floor if you have a walk-in closet) for a couple of days. Use several bowls for a larger closet. If the smell persists, simply refill the bowls with vinegar. Sometimes, that musty smell is due to mold or mildew. In such cases, you may use vinegar to get rid of mold naturally, depending on its type and where it's located. This household staple can kill 82% of mold species, according to Mississippi State University. All you need to do is spray vinegar on the affected area, let it sit for an hour or so, and then wipe it away with a wet sponge.