By George House/16,July,2025
Have you ever opened a closet to find a cozy, woodsy smell? That’s probably a cedar closet. And it’s not only the fragrance cedar provides. If you need to keep insects away, control humidity, and eliminate mildew without using chemicals, cedar does all of that for you.
Let’s explore why cedar is so unique. It can revolutionize not only your storage area but your whole way of taking care of your precious items.
What is a Cedar Closet?
Simply put, a cedar closet is any closed storage space that incorporates eastern red cedar or aromatic cedar (Juniperus virginiana) in its construction.
Cedar is a reddish-brown softwood with a tight grain structure. However, what distinguishes it and increases its worth are a number of inherent characteristics. These include natural oils, scent, and strength-to-weight resistance that provide it with protective qualities. Which is why it has been used for centuries to construct chests, furniture, doors, and even exterior construction such as decks and siding.
Types of Cedar Closet
There are several practical ways to use cedar in closets, depending on your budget, space, and how much protection you want:
- Full cedar-lined closets: All walls, shelves, and sometimes also the ceiling of the closet are built or veneered with cedar. This gives uniform protection and a constant scent, best for long-term storage.
- Cedar planks or panels: Affordable retrofit option, in which you attach cedar panels to the walls or shelving of an existing closet. Easier than full rebuilds, and you can replace panels selectively.
- Cedar chests or hampers: Classic for seasonal items and blankets. They’re airtight, so the cedar scent concentrates and works well when items are stored for months.
- Cedar blocks, hangers, and sachets: Small, inexpensive, and versatile. Perfect if you rent, need to target a specific area (such as a winter coat), or wish to experiment with cedar without buying into renovations.
6 Benefits of a Cedar Closet
Closet Cedar is an excellent option for safeguarding your treasured clothing. It offers a number of strong and useful advantages.
1. Natural insect repellent
Cedar releases aromatic oils that carry a compound called cedrene. This scent is completely natural and pleasant to humans. But it’s highly effective at repelling insects, especially moth larvae and carpet beetles that feed on natural fibers like wool and silk.
Cedar works continuously as long as the oils are present on the wood surface. Unlike mothballs, it is non-toxic to humans and pets.
2. Moisture & mildew control
Cedar is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from the air. This keeps the humidity level inside your closet in balance, not allowing the damp environment to cause mildew, musty odors, and cloth breakdown. Don’t anticipate a dehumidifier, but combined with proper ventilation, it makes an enormous difference in eliminating that mustiness.
3. Fresh, natural fragrance
The scent is subtle and woody, not perfumed. It refreshes stored items and neutralizes odors instead of just masking them. So even after keeping the clothes away for multiple seasons, they come out with a pleasant aroma.
But don’t worry, it gently fades away after a wash or wear rather than overpowering the fabrics. So you aren’t stuck with one kind of smell either.
4. Durability & longevity
Cedar is a light softwood but is incredibly resistant to rot and decay. It has a great weight-to-strength ratio, and for this reason, well-maintained cedar closet or chest can last decades. Cedar pieces used to become heirloom items in the past.
5. Environmentally friendly choice
By choosing cedar, you’re opting for a renewable, biodegradable resource. When sourced responsibly, you’re reducing your carbon footprint. Also, reliance on plastic storage bins and synthetic chemical repellents is reduced, making it a healthier choice for your home and the environment.
6. Added value to the home
Cedar closets are also considered to be quality improvements by customers. They can make a good but subtle impression while selling your house. It reflects well on attention, quality, and meticulous detail, adding more charm and worth to your property.
How to Maintain the Fresh Scent of a Cedar Closet?
Cedar smells due to the essential oils contained in the wood. Over time, the oils dry up, and the wood pores get clogged by dust, grime, or finishes, reducing its performance. The good news, however, is that you can restore a cedar closet through simple, low-maintenance steps.
Step 1: Regular cleaning
Every season or so, remove everything from the closet and vacuum with a soft-brush attachment. This will remove dust from panels, shelves, and corners. Dry surfaces with a damp, but not wet, cloth (use only water) and dry them rapidly with a clean towel. Do not soak the wood.
For cedar chests, occasionally open them to ventilate stored items. Refill them with fresh, cleaned linens. When you store clothing in cedar, clean or brush it before storing so oils are not masked by body oils or spills.
Step 2: Sanding the cedar
When the aroma significantly diminishes, generally every 1–3 years based on use and exposure, very gently sand the surface to reveal new wood and oils. Apply a fine-grit sandpaper (120–220 grit) in the direction of the grain. A light pass is all that is necessary.
Following sanding, dust away with a tack cloth or vacuum. You will be surprised at how the new, strong aroma is restored immediately.
Step 3: Using cedar oil treatment
Cedar oil sprays or refreshers can boost scent, but use them sparingly. Select a product specifically designed for cedar. First, test it on an out-of-the-way area (some oils turn the wood black), and follow the directions.
Use a thin layer and apply with a soft cloth. Allow to dry completely, then air out the closet before hanging clothes. Do not substitute strong-perfumed oils; they collect dust and will mask the natural properties of the cedar.
Other practical tips
- Steer clear of strong chemicals and sealants. Solvent cleaners, varnishes, and paints clog cedar’s pores and negate its function.
- Keep garments clean and dry; use airy garment bags; don’t overcrowd—fresh air is important. Switch out seasonal pieces to keep nothing idle and harbor pests.
- Cedar can handle mild dampness, but will not fix a wet room. Try for about 40–60% relative humidity; use a dehumidifier or silica packets in trouble areas.
Follow these steps, and your cedar closet will have clothes smelling great. They will be safe and look fantastic for years to come.
Conclusion
Cedar closet is a low-maintenance, organic method of protecting and deodorizing your wardrobe. It is also excellent at deterring the pests, particularly moths, from your valuable clothes. Keep it performing by cleaning from time to time and sanding to rejuvenate the oils, and applying cedar treatments sparingly.
Keep visiting the George Group for more insightful blogs. Also, feel free to reach out to our consultants to source doors, windows, and other types of construction material.
