When people search for cedar blocks for clothes storage, they are usually looking for a natural way to keep closets, drawers and stored clothing smelling fresh without relying on heavily perfumed products. Cedar has been used around clothing and household storage for generations because of its distinctive natural wood aroma and the aromatic oils found within the wood.
Traditional cedar blocks are one option, but they are not the only way to use cedar for clothes storage. Cedar sachets, sometimes called cedar bags, offer another convenient way to place natural cedar throughout closets, drawers, storage containers, shoes and other small spaces.
Understanding the differences between cedar blocks and cedar sachets can help you choose the right option for the way you store your clothing.
Eastern Red Cedar is naturally aromatic. Its characteristic cedar scent comes from compounds occurring naturally within the wood rather than from an added artificial fragrance.
That makes natural cedar particularly appealing for people who prefer the aroma of real wood instead of heavily scented closet fresheners.
Cedar can be placed in many areas where clothing and textiles are stored, including closets, dresser drawers, wardrobes, storage bins, garment storage areas and seasonal clothing containers.
Unlike a conventional air freshener that introduces an artificial fragrance, natural cedar provides the authentic aroma of the wood itself.
Because the scent is naturally occurring, it is also important to understand what real cedar smells like. Natural Eastern Red Cedar has a subtle wood aroma rather than the strong perfume-like fragrance associated with many synthetic fresheners.
Both cedar blocks and cedar sachets can be made from natural cedar, but their physical construction is very different.
A cedar block is a solid piece of wood. It can be placed on a shelf, inside a drawer or alongside stored clothing.
A cedar sachet contains smaller pieces of cedar inside a breathable fabric pouch. Air can circulate around the individual pieces of wood while the pouch keeps them conveniently contained.
This makes cedar sachets particularly versatile when cedar needs to be distributed throughout several storage areas.
Instead of placing one solid cedar block in a large closet, for example, multiple cedar sachets can be positioned in different drawers, shelves, storage containers or other areas.
One of the biggest differences is simply where you can put them.
Solid cedar blocks work well in certain locations, but their shape can make them less convenient in small or irregular spaces.
Cedar sachets can be placed:
Between folded clothing in drawers
On closet shelves
Inside storage containers
Near seasonal clothing
Inside shoes and boots
In luggage
In gym bags
In linen storage areas
In wardrobes and cabinets
The flexible pouch conforms more easily to the available space.
For households with several closets and drawers, individual cedar sachets also make it easier to distribute cedar throughout the home rather than concentrating it in only one location.
Another important distinction between cedar blocks for clothes storage and cedar sachets is the form of the wood.
A solid block primarily exposes its exterior surfaces to the surrounding air.
Cedar sachets containing smaller pieces of cedar provide many individual wood surfaces within the breathable pouch. Air can move through the fabric and around those pieces.
This allows the natural cedar wood and its characteristic aroma to remain exposed to circulating air while keeping the cedar neatly contained.
The sachet format therefore combines the qualities of natural cedar wood with the convenience of a small fabric bag.
Closets are one of the most common places people use cedar.
Rather than relying on a single cedar block, sachets can be distributed throughout different sections of a closet. One can be placed near folded clothing, another on a shelf and others near shoes or stored seasonal items.
This can be especially useful in larger closets where one piece of cedar is located far away from much of the clothing.
For best results, cedar should be used in relatively enclosed storage spaces where its natural aroma isn't immediately dispersed into a large room.
Dresser drawers are another excellent location for natural cedar.
Because drawer space is limited, bulky objects can take up room that would otherwise be used for clothing. Small cedar sachets can be tucked between or alongside folded garments without requiring much additional space.
This makes cedar bags for clothes storage particularly useful for socks, sweaters, scarves and other folded clothing.
Using several individual sachets also allows cedar to be placed in multiple drawers instead of depending upon a single source of cedar.
Seasonal clothing may remain stored for months at a time.
Sweaters, coats, scarves, blankets and other textiles are often packed into containers, closets or wardrobes until they are needed again.
Adding natural cedar to these storage areas provides the familiar wood aroma many people associate with cedar closets and cedar chests.
Before storing clothing for an extended period, clothing should be clean and completely dry. Cedar can then be positioned throughout the storage area rather than placing every sachet in one location.
When the container or closet is opened again, the sachets can be reused elsewhere or refreshed as needed.
Organizing seasonal clothing? Use our Home Organization Printables to keep storage containers, closets, and seasonal items easier to track.
The aroma of natural cedar may become less noticeable over time. This does not necessarily mean the cedar needs to be discarded.
Cedar's aroma originates from naturally occurring oils within the wood.
With cedar sachets containing loose pieces, gently squeezing or manipulating the sachet can expose different wood surfaces and help renew the noticeable cedar aroma.
The goal isn't to create an overpowering fragrance.
Real Eastern Red Cedar should smell like natural cedar wood, not artificial perfume.
That distinction is important for anyone switching from strongly scented commercial closet products to natural cedar.
Not every product labeled "cedar" necessarily uses the same species of wood.
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is known for its aromatic heartwood and distinctive reddish-purple coloration. The wood contains naturally occurring aromatic compounds that contribute to its recognizable cedar aroma.
Eastern Red Cedar has a long history of use in closets, chests and other household storage applications.
For people specifically looking for natural cedar for clothes storage, knowing what type of cedar is actually inside the product can therefore be important.
There isn't anything inherently wrong with traditional cedar blocks. They can be an appropriate option when you simply want a solid piece of cedar in a particular location.
The advantage of cedar sachets is flexibility and distribution.
If you want cedar in one drawer, a block may be perfectly adequate.
If you want cedar for clothes storage throughout several drawers, closets, shoes, storage bins and other areas, individual cedar sachets can be much easier to distribute.
That's why someone initially searching for cedar blocks for clothes storage may ultimately find that cedar sachets better match the way they actually organize and store their clothing.
No. Cedar blocks are solid pieces of wood. Cedar sachets contain smaller pieces of cedar inside a breathable pouch. Both provide exposure to natural cedar wood, but sachets are easier to distribute among multiple storage locations.
Cedar sachets can be placed in closets, dresser drawers, storage containers, wardrobes, shoes, luggage and other relatively enclosed storage areas.
There isn't one number that works for every space. A small drawer may need only one sachet, while a larger closet or storage area allows several sachets to be distributed throughout the space.
Natural cedar is wood, not an artificial perfume product. Its aroma can therefore be considerably more subtle than heavily fragranced commercial fresheners. The scent should resemble authentic cedar wood.
Yes. Natural cedar sachets can continue to be used as long as the wood remains in good condition. Gently squeezing a sachet can expose different cedar surfaces and help renew the noticeable wood aroma.
No. Their small size makes them useful anywhere you want the natural aroma of cedar, including shoes, luggage, closets, drawers and other storage areas.
Traditional cedar blocks for clothes storage remain a familiar option, but cedar sachets provide a different way to enjoy natural cedar.
Their flexible design allows cedar to be distributed throughout closets, drawers, storage containers, shoes and other areas where a solid block may be less convenient.
For people who appreciate authentic Eastern Red Cedar, sachets provide a simple way to incorporate natural cedar into everyday clothing organization and storage.
Eastern Red Cedar has uses far beyond clothing storage. Explore 10 beautiful things you can make from Eastern Red Cedar, including live-edge shelves, cat shelves, planters, benches, and more.