November 6, 2025
Cupboards are enclosed spaces where ambient water vapor condenses easily with changes in temperature. This creates an ideal environment for mold and bad odors to develop.
Condensation occurs when hot, humid air comes into contact with a cold surface — in this case, the walls of the closet.
Let's take a concrete example: in a cold room that is suddenly heated, the air temperature rises rapidly.
However, the walls and the closet remain cold due to their thermal inertia. When hot air meets these colder surfaces, its temperature drops and the water vapor it contains condenses.
This phenomenon is accentuated in a closet because its interfacial area (contact area in relation to volume) is greater than that of the walls.
Confined air inside the closet takes longer to warm up. Result: it promotes the formation of condensation and therefore the appearance of moisture stains or microscopic fungi on walls and clothing.
In addition, the lack of air circulation prevents moisture from escaping, making the problem worse.
Here are a few simple solutions:
Regular monitoring of relative humidity also helps prevent condensation problems before they become visible.