Hanging Dehumidifier vs Dehumidifier for Wardrobe: Which One is Better?

Is your wardrobe harbouring hidden dangers like mould and mildew?

If you’ve noticed a musty smell or dampness in your closet, it’s time to take control. A wardrobe dehumidifier is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for anyone who values their clothing and belongings. By effectively reducing humidity, a dehumidifier for wardrobe can protect your favourite outfits from mould damage and keep your space smelling fresh. Say goodbye to unwanted moisture and hello to a healthier, more inviting wardrobe. Discover how you can transform your closet into a sanctuary for your clothes!

 

What Causes Mould on The Back of Wardrobes?

Condensation is almost always the root of any moisture in your wardrobe. Water accumulates in the air, and this humid air gets trapped at the back of your closet. Now, since most wardrobes have poor air circulation, condensation collects at the back of the wardrobe, making it damp.

 

Along with attics and basements, wardrobes are a common breeding ground for mould and mildew as well. Yet, it is one of the unlikeliest places to look when hunting for the source of that musty smell in your bedroom. And by then, the damage is already done.

 

Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce humidity and prevent mould in your closet.

Can You Put a Dehumidifier in a Closet?

Yes, you can put a dehumidifier in a closet, and it's an effective way to combat high humidity and prevent mould growth. For smaller spaces like wardrobes, a compact model such as the Morris 12L dehumidifier is ideal, as it efficiently removes excess moisture while consuming minimal electricity. This model operates quietly, making it perfect for use in bedrooms or closets without disturbing your daily activities. If you have a larger closet or one located in a more humid environment, the 20L Morris Portable Dehumidifier can handle greater moisture levels, ensuring optimal humidity control. By placing a dehumidifier in your closet, you can protect your clothes and belongings from dampness and unpleasant odours, creating a healthier storage environment.

How to Dehumidify a Closet?

Using a wardrobe dehumidifier will help remove excess humidity in your closets. Many homes in the United Kingdom opt to hang dehumidifier bags in their wardrobes to absorb that extra moisture.

 

Hanging dehumidifiers are effective in eliminating damp and unpleasant odours in closets. In addition, the bags are designed to help you monitor the absorption progress and know when to change the bags. One bag can hold up to 500ml of moisture, and hanging several in the closet helps combat high humidity. Hanging dehumidifiers are leak-proof and environmentally friendly.

 

While hanging bags are effective in less humid environments, they tend to struggle when combating high humidity. The 500ml capacity is not enough to combat excess moisture in a poorly ventilated closet like a basement wardrobe. This is where the portable dehumidifier comes in.

Modern portable dehumidifiers can reduce high humidity in both large and small rooms. For instance, a 12L dehumidifier that is perfect for bedrooms and basements will work longer hours compared to hanging dehumidifiers. In addition, a portable dehumidifier allows you to connect a drainage hose for a set-and-forget experience.

 

If it is a smart dehumidifier with Wi-Fi, it will allow you to constantly monitor humidity in the rooms where the wardrobes are located. You can set the dehumidifier to run for a few hours and stop when optimal humidity is achieved.

 

Do Wardrobe Dehumidifiers Work?

Yes, electric wardrobe dehumidifiers work effectively (hanging dehumidifiers work with restrictions). They efficiently remove excess moisture from the air, helping to prevent mould growth and dampness in your wardrobe. Electric dehumidifiers can operate continuously and often come with features like adjustable humidity settings, making them ideal for maintaining optimal conditions in enclosed spaces.

 

How Much Water Should my Wardrobe Dehumidifier Collect?

Wardrobes don’t have that much condensation, like in basements. So a small bedroom dehumidifier like the Morris 12L silent dehumidifier would do. The 12L capacity is enough to collect condensation from wardrobes of all sizes without consuming a lot of electricity.

 

Things will be different for a basement wardrobe. Since basements tend to be more humid than other rooms, wardrobes in this area would have a lot of condensation as well. Using a dehumidifier with a higher tank capacity, like the 20L Morris Portable Dehumidifier, would reduce humidity in the entire basement as well as in the wardrobes.

 

Since the unit is portable, you can set it for a few hours in your basement or bedroom, before moving it to other rooms.

 

Where Can I Buy a Wardrobe Dehumidifier?

There are plenty of websites, like Morris Direct, that sell high-quality portable dehumidifiers. When shopping for a wardrobe dehumidifier online, ensure you are buying from a legitimate business with a registered website. Also, go with online websites with a 4.5-star rating or above. Such websites have genuine products and stellar customer service. We cover more tips on what to expect from a portable dehumidifier in our article, “13 Must-know Answers Before Buying A Portable Small Dehumidifier”.

If I Discover Mould in my Wardrobe do I Have to Wash All The Clothes?

Don't panic if you notice mould on your clothes, nor should you throw your entire wardrobe away. Clothes that have mould on them should be removed and washed immediately.

 

For severe mould infestations, soak the clothes in bleach for about 5 minutes before washing them. Bleach can ruin the colour of fabrics, so make sure you test it on a small area before soaking the respective fabrics.

Once the clothes are clean, take them out to dry in the sun. Give the clothes a longer drying time to ensure all moisture has evaporated. 

 

Smaller mould stains can be removed using a dilute solution of white vinegar. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then spray on the affected areas. Leave the solution to sit for a few minutes before washing the clothes with detergent to remove any musty smells. Vinegar will also brighten clothes affected by black mould.

 

More Tips on How to Reduce Humidity in Your Wardrobe

When dealing with humidity in your home, prevention is always better than cure. Besides a portable dehumidifier for your wardrobe, you can also keep moisture away from your closet with the following tips:

 

Aerate your wardrobe

Always keep your wardrobe properly ventilated by leaving the closet doors open. Closed closets trap moisture inside, which leads to dampness, mould, and eventually odour. Space out the clothes in your closet to improve air circulation.

 

Use a tubular heater to keep the closet dry

Installing a tubular closet heater in your closet will dry any condensation and keep your wardrobe dry. A tubular heater can also prevent mould and mildew from growing in your closet.

 

Keep damp clothes away from your wardrobe

Moisture from damp clothes will evaporate and collect inside your closet. To be safe, avoid hanging wet fabrics like towels in your closet. Also, do not use your wardrobe as a drying zone when the sun is not out. Doing either of these will only increase the humidity in your wardrobe.

 

Clean the walls of your closet

Clean the walls of your wardrobe to prevent mould from spreading onto your clothes again. Once again, use bleach or diluted vinegar to effectively kill and remove mould on your closet walls. You can scrub the walls with baking soda to remove musty smells before hanging your clothes again.

 

In some cases, you will be fighting both mites and mould in wardrobe spaces. Washing the garments in hot water will kill the mites and mite eggs. Other experts recommend freezing mite-infested fabrics to kill the mites at cold temperatures.

Conclusion

Wardrobes are often overlooked when controlling high humidity in our homes. Yet, they tend to collect a lot of condensation, which results in mould and musty smells in your closet. A portable bedroom dehumidifier or basement dehumidifier would be powerful enough to reduce the high humidity in wardrobes. Make sure you are buying it from a certified online business with high seller ratings.

Other Uses of a Dehumidifier

✅ Bathroom: A dehumidifier in the bathroom helps quickly remove humidity after showers, preventing mould and creating a fresher environment.
✅ Garage: Placing a dehumidifier in the garage reduces moisture levels, protecting vehicles and tools from rust and damage.
✅ Drying Clothes: Using a dehumidifier while drying clothes indoors speeds up the process and keeps the air dry, avoiding excess moisture buildup.
✅ Conservatory: A dehumidifier in the conservatory controls humidity, ensuring plants thrive while preventing damp-related issues in the space. 
✅ Kitchen: In the kitchen, a dehumidifier helps eliminate moisture from cooking, reducing the risk of condensation and maintaining a clean atmosphere.
✅ Hallway: Utilising a dehumidifier in the hallway helps regulate humidity throughout the home, enhancing overall comfort and air quality.
✅ Caravan: A dehumidifier in a caravan minimises moisture buildup, keeping the interior dry and comfortable during trips.
✅ Boat: On a boat, a dehumidifier prevents dampness, safeguarding the interior and belongings from mould and damage.

---

---