Linen closet odor

All my linens are clean however, I don't use them as often due to no visitors and I live alone. No matter what I do my linens have an odor after a while in the closet. All I can do is remove and wash them all.
  10 answers
  • MaryAnn White MaryAnn White on Nov 05, 2014
    I store my unwrapped sented candles or soap on shelves with the linens...closet & linens always smell great !
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Nov 05, 2014
    You can get scented soaps, open them and lay them inside the closet/cabinet. You can even lay them between layers of linens. However, after a while, even then they can get stale. Just take them out and wash them before needed.
  • Robin Robin on Nov 05, 2014
    Dryer sheets stored with the linens work great!
  • I have left the wooden inside the linen closet bare and untreated for the same reason.. i sprinkle my favourite scented oils on the bare wood (away from linens)...it lasts a number of weeks
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Nov 05, 2014
    All great ideas. Maybe coat the shelves, inside door, etc. with poly and repaint the walls.Sounds like the surfaces need to be sealed.
  • Sharon Middleton Sharon Middleton on Nov 06, 2014
    I tear out the perfume strips in magazines and toss them into the closet.
  • Maryann Maryann on Nov 06, 2014
    I use votive candles,I put 3 or 4 on each self in different places and so far it still works.Hope this helps.
  • Margaret Margaret on Nov 06, 2014
    Sachets, perhaps made with dream pillow herbs. My two favorite dream pillow mixes are lavender, rose petals, and mugwort; and hops, rosemary, and mugwort. Lemon-scented herbs would be nice: lemongrass, lemon verbena, lemon balm. Mugwort is easy to grow, and self-sows readily. If you don't care to grow it, there are a number of companies that sell herbs. Monterey Bay Spice Company is my favorite.
  • Sue Klinedinst Sue Klinedinst on Nov 06, 2014
    Take everything out. Wash the walls. Let dry. Patch any holes. Paint with high gloss or semi gloss paint. Then change your laundry detergent to the fragrance free type. Wash everything and put back. You could try changing detergent first.
  • Patricia Howard Patricia Howard on Nov 08, 2014
    I fold mine to fit over a clothes hanger, one of the plastic kind and hang them in the coat closet.