6 Best Moisture Absorbers for RV Clothing Storage That Nomads Swear By
Protect your clothes from musty odors and mildew in tight RV spaces. We review the top 6 nomad-approved moisture absorbers, from hanging bags to canisters.
You park your RV after a long travel day, open the closet to grab a fresh shirt, and get hit with that unmistakable scent of dampness. Your clothes feel slightly clammy, and the air is thick and musty. This isn’t just an annoyance; it’s a sign of a moisture problem that can ruin your clothes and damage your rig.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why RV Closet Moisture Control is Essential
Life on the road means constant temperature swings. The inside of your RV can go from hot and sunny to cool and dewy in a matter of hours, creating the perfect conditions for condensation. Unlike a house, an RV is a small, sealed box with limited air circulation, turning closets into prime territory for moisture to get trapped.
This trapped moisture is more than just a nuisance. It quickly leads to musty odors that permeate your entire wardrobe, forcing you to rewash clean clothes. Worse, it creates a breeding ground for mildew and mold, which can stain fabrics, trigger allergies, and, in severe cases, cause wood rot in the closet’s structure.
For a nomad, every piece of clothing counts. You don’t have the luxury of a massive wardrobe, so protecting what you have is critical. Proactively managing closet moisture means your favorite hoodie is always ready to wear, you aren’t embarrassed by musty smells, and you’re protecting the long-term value of your home on wheels.
DampRid Hanging Bags: The Go-To RV Solution
DampRid Hanging Moisture Absorbers eliminate musty odors by trapping excess moisture, creating fresher air. The time-release fragrance provides long-lasting freshness in closets, bathrooms, and other areas prone to dampness.
If you’ve spent any time in the RV community, you’ve seen these. The DampRid Hanging Bag is the undisputed classic for a reason. It’s a simple, effective, and visually satisfying solution to closet humidity.
The design is brilliant for small spaces. You hang it from the closet rod, and the calcium chloride crystals in the top pouch begin pulling moisture directly from the air. As they work, the crystals dissolve, and the collected water drips into the clear pouch below. You can literally see it working, which provides great peace of mind.
The main tradeoff is that they are disposable. Once the crystals are gone and the bag is full, you toss it and hang a new one. This creates a recurring expense and waste. The biggest risk is a leak. If the bag gets punctured or jostled too much, the corrosive saltwater solution can spill, creating a serious mess that can damage wood and fabrics. Always hang them where they won’t get snagged.
Eva-Dry E-333: Compact, Cordless Dehumidifier
Keep small spaces dry and odor-free with the Eva-Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier. This rechargeable, cordless unit lasts up to 30 days and absorbs up to 6oz of moisture, perfect for closets, cars, and more.
For those who prefer a reusable, tech-forward solution, the Eva-Dry E-333 is a game-changer. This compact unit is essentially a small, cordless dehumidifier that requires no power to operate inside your closet. It’s filled with renewable silica gel beads that silently absorb moisture.
The magic is in its renewal process. The beads start out orange, and as they become saturated with moisture, they gradually turn dark green. When they’re green, you simply take the unit out of the closet and plug it into a standard wall outlet for 8-10 hours. An internal heater gently dries out the beads, returning them to their orange state, ready for another round.
This is a fantastic "buy it once" product, but it’s not without its considerations. The initial cost is significantly higher than a pack of disposable bags. More importantly, you need access to 120V power to "recharge" it. For full-time boondockers running on limited solar, dedicating that much power might be a challenge. It’s best suited for RVers who frequent campgrounds with hookups.
Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag: Odor & Moisture
Eliminate odors and freshen small spaces with Moso Natural's bamboo charcoal bags. These non-toxic absorbers work like a magnetic sponge, trapping smells and regulating humidity in areas up to 90 sq ft.
If your primary battle is with stale, musty odors with a side of mild humidity, the Moso Bag is your best friend. This isn’t a heavy-duty dehumidifier; it’s a moisture regulator and a powerful odor eliminator. The bag is filled with one thing: 100% natural bamboo charcoal.
Bamboo charcoal has millions of tiny, porous holes that trap both moisture and odor particles from the air. It works subtly, preventing clothes from developing that "been in storage" smell. It’s particularly effective in less humid, four-season climates where you just need to manage minor condensation.
The best part is its sustainability. It’s completely non-toxic and lasts for up to two years. To "recharge" it, you just place the bag in direct sunlight for a few hours once a month. The UV rays release the trapped moisture and odors, making it as good as new. Think of it less as a water-sucker and more as a freshness-keeper.
DampRid Refillable Tubs for Large RV Closets
Sometimes a hanging bag just doesn’t cut it. For larger RV closets, deep cabinets, or the "basement" storage bays, the DampRid Refillable Moisture Absorber tubs offer more capacity and a lower long-term cost.
DampRid Refillable Moisture Absorbers eliminate musty odors and freshen air by attracting and trapping excess moisture. These decorative cups are ideal for closets, bathrooms, and other areas where moisture is a problem, and last up to 45 days.
These units consist of a vented top basket that holds the calcium chloride crystals over a bottom tub. As moisture is absorbed, water collects in the reservoir below. When the crystals are gone, you simply pour out the water and add more from a large, economical refill bag. This system is far more cost-effective and produces less plastic waste than the hanging bags over time.
The crucial consideration here is stability. These tubs must be placed on a flat, level surface where they will not tip over during travel. A spill is a major cleanup headache. They are perfect for the floor of a deep wardrobe in a fifth wheel that’s parked for the season but might be a risky choice for a small, jostling closet in a Class B van.
Dry & Dry Silica Gel Packs: Versatile Protection
Don’t underestimate the power of targeted moisture control. While hanging bags and tubs manage the ambient air in a closet, large silica gel packs from brands like Dry & Dry protect specific items with surgical precision. These are the industrial-strength versions of the little packets you find in new products.
Their versatility is their superpower. Toss a couple into a storage bin with your off-season wool sweaters. Put one in your hiking boot bag to dry them out between adventures. Keep one in your camera case to protect sensitive electronics from condensation. They absorb moisture in their immediate vicinity, preventing mildew and corrosion right at the source.
Many of these packs contain indicating beads that change color (e.g., from orange to green) when they are saturated. Like the Eva-Dry, they are rechargeable. You can reactivate them in a conventional oven or microwave (follow the instructions carefully!). They aren’t meant to dehumidify an entire closet, but for protecting specific, valuable items, they are absolutely essential.
Arm & Hammer Hanging Bag: Baking Soda Power
This product takes the proven concept of the DampRid hanging bag and adds a powerful, trusted ingredient: Arm & Hammer baking soda. It still uses calcium chloride as the primary desiccant to pull moisture from the air, but it infuses the crystals with baking soda for superior odor control.
This is the ideal choice when your closet holds more than just clean cotton shirts. If you store gym clothes, damp towels, or musty jackets, you’re fighting both moisture and the smells that come with it. While other products absorb odors, baking soda actively neutralizes them, leaving the space smelling noticeably fresher and cleaner.
Functionally, it operates just like the standard DampRid bag—it collects water in a bottom pouch and is disposable. The choice between the two really comes down to your specific problem. If you’re in a dry climate and just fighting stale air, a Moso bag might be better. But for tackling high humidity and stubborn smells in one go, the Arm & Hammer bag is a top contender.
Choosing Your RV Moisture Absorber Wisely
There is no single "best" moisture absorber for every RVer. The right choice depends entirely on your travel style, climate, and specific needs. Thinking through your situation is the key to finding a solution that actually works instead of just wasting money.
Before you buy, ask yourself a few key questions. Your answers will point you to the perfect product or, more likely, the perfect combination of products.
- What’s my climate? For the humid Southeast, you need the aggressive power of DampRid. For the arid Southwest, a Moso bag might be all you need.
- How do I camp? If you’re always on shore power, the rechargeable Eva-Dry is a great investment. If you’re a boondocker, disposable or sun-recharged options are more practical.
- What’s the problem? Is it just dampness, or is it dampness and odor? This will guide you between a standard desiccant and one with charcoal or baking soda.
- What am I protecting? For the general closet air, use a hanging bag. For expensive camera gear or seasonal clothes in a bin, use targeted silica gel packs.
The most seasoned nomads often use a hybrid approach. They might run a DampRid hanging bag during the rainy season, supplement with a Moso bag for year-round freshness, and keep silica packs in their electronics drawer. Don’t look for one magic bullet; build a moisture management system that fits your life on the road.
Controlling moisture in your RV closet isn’t a one-time fix; it’s an ongoing practice. By understanding the tradeoffs of each tool, you can keep your clothes fresh, your air clean, and your rig protected. A dry closet is a happy closet, and a happy closet makes for a much more comfortable adventure.
