Keeping Guitar in Closet with Wet T-shirt when RH <40%?

[tominuuss]

Is it bad to keep my guitar in a closet with a wet t-shirt hanging (not touching) as the humidity drops below 40%? I've tested it and the closet humidity doesn't rise above 55%.

Humidity in my room doesn't drop below 40% that often, but when it does I feel like I should take care to protect my guitar. I've heard about humidipacks and other solutions, but until I order one, is there anything I should be worried about?

I'm welcome to other suggestions, of course.

Also, there's no leaking on the guitar or anything. It sits about 12 inches away and off to the side.

[lowrider]

It's probably a good idea, but if your humidity rarely goes below 40%, it's probably not necessary. If it dips below for a day or two then goes back up, it won't hurt anything.

[pickinray]

That's fine as long as there's no chance of water dripping onto your guitar. It's easier to keep a smaller space at the proper humidity level, which is in the 45-55% RH range, so that's why I prefer in-case humidification. But your method is also OK.

[rokdog49]

My winter time humidity hangs around 40-42%.
Never had a problem.

[rmp]

Originally Posted by tominuuss

I'm welcome to other suggestions, of course.

I must be missing something..

why wouldn't you just keep it cased with a sound hole humidifier????

there's lots out there. but you have to use them with your gutiars in their cases. and you'll need to recharge them (refill) about once a week at least

[egordon99]

Why not just purchase a humidifier?

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by tominuuss

Is it bad to keep my guitar in a closet with a wet t-shirt hanging (not touching) as the humidity drops below 40%? I've tested it and the closet humidity doesn't rise above 55%.

Humidity in my room doesn't drop below 40% that often, but when it does I feel like I should take care to protect my guitar. I've heard about humidipacks and other solutions, but until I order one, is there anything I should be worried about?

I'm welcome to other suggestions, of course.

Also, there's no leaking on the guitar or anything. It sits about 12 inches away and off to the side.

That's a novel solution, and you're splitting the difference between closed case and room humidification. There's no reason that I can think of to not do it, other than the case protects from all the other perils your guitar may face.

If your closets look anything like mine it's every man for himself in there!

You would, of course, need to monitor closely. Wet or damp clothing in closed and dark areas would be subject to mold formation.

[StillStephen]

Wouldn't even think of humidifying unless you dropped below 35% for a period of time. Over humidification can be as detrimental as under. I find that my guitars sound best between 35 and 40.

[mawmow]

At last !
Another guy who tried my method.

55 % is enough : 45-55% is recommended.

I had twenty guitars to nurse, filling their sponges, when I got fed up !

It is my fourth Winter up here that I went from cases humidifiers and
hygrometers to simply hanging a wet towel in the large closet where
my acoutics lye in their cases.

Hygrometers in aome cases, the closet as well as in the room shows
it works fine. No fancy gadget, no electronic appliance, no distillated water...
A hand towell and tap water, once a day ! That's it !

[lowrider]

First thing I saw in the title was “wet tee shirt”, I thought this was going to be a lot racier!

[Dwight]

I have a humidifier but will also hang a damp hand towel if needed. Works great!

[Guildman]

Originally Posted by rmp

I must be missing something..

why wouldn't you just keep it cased with a sound hole humidifier????

there's lots out there. but you have to use them with your gutiars in their cases. and you'll need to recharge them (refill) about once a week at least

And the congregation said Amen!

[ChrisE]

Originally Posted by lowrider

First thing I saw in the title was “wet tee shirt”, I thought this was going to be a lot racier!

I agree. This thread has been very disappointing.

[tnvolfan5]

My thoughts as well.

[tominuuss]

Right, I've tried to find one online. Unfortunately, here the shipping will take over a week. The wet shirt is a short-term solution until I find something that works well for me and it actually arrives.

I really don't want my hygrometer to be off by ±5% and now my guitar is ruined.