Putting A Bowl Of Vinegar In Closets: Why It Works And Why People Are Doing It

A closet can be a constant challenge to keep clean and organized. Whether you're dealing with a utility, coat, or personal wardrobe closet, there's a wealth of closet organization ideas available to try to make these spaces more functional. Yet even the cleanest of closets can be afflicted by persistent odors, as shoes and clothing can emit smells that are difficult to eliminate. To address the problem, some people suggest placing bowls of white vinegar in the closet — and you might be wondering whether this method truly works.

White vinegar is a common kitchen staple, but it's also frequently used for other purposes, from cleaning fridges to killing weeds to getting a dirty birdbath clean. White vinegar is an acid, which makes it a valuable ally against alkaline substances. What you might not know, however, is that white vinegar can help deodorize, too. Rather than simply masking an offending odor with an artificially fragranced spray, white vinegar removes it — and without using any chemicals. With these benefits in mind, it's easy to understand why someone might place a bowl of vinegar in their closet to remove an unwelcome odor.

The process of putting a bowl of vinegar in your closet is as straightforward as it sounds. All it takes is adding white vinegar to a small bowl of your choosing. You don't need a lot of vinegar at once, either: You should need just 1 to 2 ounces of white vinegar in each bowl. You can use this natural method of odor control in other areas around the house. Consider using vinegar to fight bathroom, kitchen, and musty basement smells, too.

As for duration, there are no scientifically backed guidelines for how long you ought to leave a bowl of vinegar in a closet. To help deal with the smell of smoke, Texas A&M Agrilife Extension says it's fine to leave bowls of vinegar out for up to several days at a time to help absorb odors. Given this information, you might be best simply leaving the bowl in your closet until it no longer smells.

There are a few drawbacks to this method of closet odor control, however, even if it is considered more "natural" than using commercial products. The first is the strong smell of the vinegar itself, although this can be mitigated by adding essential oils such as lavender. If you have young children or pets in your home, you'll also want to limit their access to the closets as best as you can to prevent spills and accidental ingestion. There's also the possibility that this solution may not help all closet odors, in which case you may have to resort to stronger methods.