Common situation
Musty smell in the wardrobe: what to check first
A musty wardrobe usually means still air and a surface that stays damp, often the wall behind it. A normal humidity reading in the room doesn't rule that out.
What it usually points to
A musty wardrobe usually means still air and a surface that stays damp, often the wall behind it. Without a humidity reading we can't tell how damp the whole home is.
What to check and try first
- Pull the wardrobe away from the wall so air can move behind it, loosen anything packed tight, and leave the doors open a few hours a day.
- Each morning, open the windows wide for a few minutes, then close them. In cold weather this swaps damp indoor air for drier air.
These steps assume only: musty smell in a wardrobe or cupboard; the problem spot is on an outside wall, corner or behind furniture. Your home may be different. Add what else is going on and you'll get steps for your situation.
Check my home with these answers
What would change this
If damp keeps coming back in the same place, water is getting in, or mould grows past a dinner plate or onto a second wall, the cause needs investigating, not a machine. If it still feels heavy after two weeks of these steps, measure the humidity.