The unpleasant mildew mist when you remove your clothes from the closet could be annoying. The good news is that you can do something about it.
You should keep the level of relative humidity lower than 50%. When it is higher, there is a greater risk for mold and allergens. So, join us to find out what makes the best dehumidifier for your wardrobe and closet, and the benefits of using it.
I first noticed that I needed a dehumidifier last year. I opened the bottom shelf of my shoe closet, and the musty odors came out. So I tested a couple of dehumidifiers and found desiccant bags were helpful, so I decided to place them in every wardrobe and closet in the house.
If you have a similar problem, I’ve applied my experience to researching the closet dehumidifiers for you, including the good and the bad sides.
Our 6 Top Picks
1. New and Improved Eva-dry E-333 Renewable
- Coverage area: 333 cubic feet
- Extracting capacity: 4 oz – 6 oz
- Noise level: no sound
- Size: 9 x 8.2 x 2.9 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
- Warranty: 5 years
This Eva Dehumidifier looks decent, doesn’t take up a lot of space, and doesn’t need batteries or plugged into a power outlet to work. It has an indicator window, which is useful for keeping an eye on the excess moisture level. It is a chargeable device that will last a long time.
On the downside, the unit often charges once or twice weekly. So, if you take a journey longer than that, it will stop working in the meantime. It needs 8 to 10 hours to charge fully.
The Eva E333 Mini Dehumidifier contains tiny crystallized silica gel beads. The beads are non-toxic and odorless. It can remove around 8 to 10 ounces of water for approximately 3 to 8 weeks.
That makes the Eva Dehumidifier suitable for smaller spaces with lower humidity levels. For the best performance, hang it in a small closed storage space. If you are on a budget, this one might be the best dehumidifier for your closet.
Pros:
- Desiccant material technology
- Monitoring via indicator window
- 100% renewable
- Non-toxic
- Odorless
Cons:
- Frequent charging
- Long charging period
- Mild performance
- Slow process
2. airBOSS
- Coverage area: not specified
- Extracting capacity: 15 fl. oz.
- Noise level: no sound
- Size: 12.2 x 8.3 x 5.9 inches
- Weight: 3.6 pounds
- Warranty: not specified
The airBOSS Closet Dehumidifier contains crystals for capturing moisture from the air. It is safe to use, and the design is convenient because it is impossible to spill the crystals and make a mess. Crystals are also fragrance free. They won’t add any smell to your clothes and merely remove the unpleasant ones.
Once it fulfills its purpose, the crystal container will fill up with water. That is a sign that you should buy a replacement. The frequency of replacement depends on the level of excess humidity in your closet. The average absorption goes around 15 fluid ounces when the humidity is 80%.
On the negative side, they are a bit bulky and work only in smaller closets. But this is the best dehumidifier for a smaller closet.
Pros:
- Convenient design
- Portable
Cons:
- Not-reusable
- Small space capacity
3. Vacplus Moisture Absorber Packets Bags
- Coverage area: not-specified
- Extracting capacity: 500 ml/pack
- Noise level: no sound
- Size: 7.2 x 5.2 x 5 inches
- Weight: 2.95 pounds
- Warranty: not-specified
These Vacplus Bags are a multipurpose product. You can place them in your closet, bathroom, and kitchen, under the sink or anywhere else where you need to lower the humidity.
The bags contain spherical calcium chloride. This substance is environment-friendly and known to extract water from the atmosphere.
The other half of the bag is for water. So, when it is full, it is time for a replacement. It is simple to place them. The bags don’t take up a lot of space, which is which is excellent in small closets.
However, depending on your closet size, you will need more of them. For example, if your closet is mid-size, five or more bags can do the work. Yet, for larger spaces, use more than one pack of bags. This natural dehumidifier is the easiest to use.
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Completely secure
- Effective
Cons:
- Water fills up quickly
- Frequent replacement
- Small bags
4. Pro Breeze Electric Dehumidifier
- Coverage area: 1200 cubic feet
- Extracting capacity: 9 oz
- Noise level: ultra-quiet
- Size: 7 x 6 x 11 inches
- Water Tank: 16 oz
- Weight: 2.4 pounds
- Warranty: 1 year
This Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier removes 9 ounces of water per day. The best performance is in a room size of 150 square feet. It works by the Peltier effect to dry the air and doesn’t have a compressor.
Therefore, this one operates without making any noise. The water tank capacity is 18 ounces. One of the benefits is an auto shutoff option when the tank is full.
But emptying the tank can be tricky because the unit contains thin plastic, which can crack easily. So be careful and follow the instructions, and you won’t have any issues. Because of the thin plastic, the device might not last for long if it runs non-stop.
The sleek and lightweight design makes it easy to carry and move around if needed. It will work well in kitchens, bathrooms, and small closets. It is the best portable option, but it will cost you more. To make the dehumidifier work well, leave the closet door slightly open for proper air circulation.
Pros:
- Auto shut off
- Compact
- Portable Dehumidifier
- Quiet
- Peltier technology
Cons:
- Not long-lasting
- Pricey
- Tank: tricky to empty
5. Atemto Charcoal Bag
- Coverage area: not-specified
- Extracting capacity: not-specified
- Noise level: no sound
- Size: 9 x 9 x 4.8 inches
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Warranty: not specified
These Atemto Charcoal Bags are great for removing the unpleasant smell in storage spaces and garages that don’t wind up regularly. The bags are entirely natural, recyclable and reusable. They don’t have chemicals that could harm your pet.
These bags come in different packages and sizes, but if you have a large closet, you will need more. Therefore, covering your entire closet or wardrobe might cost you a bit more.
You can place these inside the walk-in closet or in shoes and try to distribute the bags evenly in the entire space. Once a month, put the bags in a sunny place to recharge naturally.
So you can use your dehumidifier again. The Atemto Charcoal Bags are the best multipurpose dehumidifier.
Pros:
- Natural charging
- Environment-friendly
- Safe
- Children and pets friendly
Cons:
- Small bags
- Small areas coverage
- Higher prices for larger areas
6. Caframo Limited 9406CAABX Stor-Dry 9406 Warm Air Circulator Fan, Small, Metallic
- Coverage area: 1000 ft3
- Extracting capacity: not-specified
- Noise level: mild
- Size: 9 x 9 x 4.8 inches
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Warranty: 2 years
The valuable thing about this Caframo Dehumidifier is that it heats the air and uses a fan to circulate it. So, the dehumidifying process affects the entire room.
It is a powerful unit that you can use in oversized wardrobes. The best way is to place it in the bottom and avoid covering it because it can get very hot.
Because the device’s material is aluminum, there is no risk of corrosion. It is a small and compact machine, so it will not be a problem to move it around. Because it doesn’t have a tank, it is easy to use and set up.
Thus, you should check on it occasionally to make sure it is working as it should be. Also, even though it is pretty silent, it can be loud after working for long hours and heating up. This one is higher priced, but it is the most efficient one.
Pros:
- Large space capacity
- Energy efficient
- Corrosion-free
- Mold-free
- Small and compact design
- No water tank
Cons:
- It can get too hot
- Louder noise after the long usage period
- High-priced
Buying Guide
How does it work?
A dehumidifier extracts the moisture from the air using a filter or adsorbent materials. Manufacturers have different dehumidifiers to prevent mold and mildew for every closet type. Some use natural materials to efficiently absorbs moisture, and others require electricity. Choose your dehumidifier depending on the area and moisture level. Some wardrobe dehumidifiers don’t need electricity to work.
If you have severe issues with humidity, you can pick an electrical closet dehumidifier for the best performance. Keep reading and learn how to prevent mildew in a closet using different products.
Different types
Manufacturers have different types of dehumidifiers to prevent mold and mildew for every closet type. Some of them use natural materials to absorb moisture, and others require electricity.
Non-electrical rechargeable
Non-electrical dehumidifiers use materials, such as silica gel or charcoal, to regulate humidity. They come in different sizes and forms. The non-electrical dehumidifiers are the right choice for closets because they are small and silent.
The rechargeable closet humidifier contains enough silica or other material to remove moisture absorbers. You can buy silica gel individually and place it inside your walk-in closet in a few places to extract dampness.
Some of these dehumidifiers are only used once, and others you can place in the oven or the sunlight and dry out for the next time. More enormous closets with higher humidity need efficient dehumidifiers. Plastic dehumidifiers with desiccant materials may be suitable because you can hang them in your closet.
Battery-powered
A small and worthy type of dehumidifier is a battery-powered dehumidifier. The battery typically lasts 30 to 60 days if the humidity is mild. This type is useful for cars and bathrooms; I usually take it with me on a trip.
It doesn’t take up a lot of space, and you never know when it can be useful. A wonderful thing about a battery-powered dehumidifier is its lifespan. They are high-quality and can last for years without any issues.
Electrical
For your wardrobe, you can use a heated rod or thermoelectric dehumidifier. If it’s not just your wardrobe that is affected, and you need a dehumidifier strong enough for the whole house
- Heated Rod
A heated rod is a specific type of electric dehumidifier that works by heating the air to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The science behind this type is simple–warm air has less moisture. Because warm air rises, there is better air circulation in your wardrobe or closet. This type could be suitable for your locker or the closet’s bottom.
- Thermoelectric
Thermoelectric devices are great damp closet solutions. But they operate best in a small room dehumidifier. They are quiet and have a fan to regulate the humidity. Yet they need stable power to run, and only some of them are suitable for larger wardrobes.
The ideal position
If you have noticed problems with mildew in your drawers, you should put closet dehumidifier bags into the drawer and keep them closed. When the moisture in the air is high in your entire closet, and you use an electrical dehumidifier, put it at the bottom of the closet.
For walk-in closets, place the dehumidifier as close as possible to the center of the room. This way, the unit will absorb water smoothly.
Benefits
If you want to keep your clothes and accessories safe, think before it’s too late. In my case, rechargeable dehumidifier bags were quite helpful for my precious vintage clothing. Dampness can damage the products in your closet and increase rust on your belts or even damage your closet.
If you have a wooden closet, it can get damaged by high humidity. Wooden furniture is susceptible to harm by moisture. At the same time, the humidity can cause mildew and add a musty smell to your clothes.
No one wants to smell like that. It this case, the battery-powered dehumidifier is a good choice. It is compact and works great in case of high humidity. Charcoal bags are also efficient. But remember that you will need more of them to cover the entire closet.
To choose a suitable dehumidifier, you should first think about your closet or wardrobe. How big is it? Are the electrical outlets accessible? Is there any mildew visible on the walls of your wardrobe?
Usually, open storage space in your basement or garage is prone to dampness. If that is the case with you, go for an electric dehumidifier. These dehumidifiers vary in size, capacity, and energy efficiency. You can also install them with your HVAC systems, but they are expensive.
In the case of a damp closet, a rechargeable dehumidifier will do the trick.
Conclusion
The Atemto Charcoal Bags are winners. It is the best closet dehumidifier. The charcoal bags are easy to use, practical, and multipurpose.
These bags are safe for pets and children, and you can use them for a long time. This Atempo Dehumidifier efficiently captures moisture and unpleasant smells. So, the charcoal bags prevent mold in the closet and keep your belongings fresh and clean.
My name is Theresa Clark. I am an engineer and air quality specialist.
