protecting clothes from moths

secret_tramp

I would like to hear what reliably works for others, as I have quite a few nice woollen garments that I would like to protect from moths and do not want to see them go the same way to previous items in the past.

My jumpers are kept in a plastic zip up bag in a drawer and seem to have survived the summer.

My biggest concern is a woollen suit and cashmere coat which cannot be protected so easily.

I have read the reviews on Amazon about cedar wood not really working as the smell can fade quickly. I have heard that lavendar might work. I have actually seen moth balls for sale recently (which do work as they stink) but I thought these were outlawed as they are carcinogenic?

Does anyone have any words of advice please?

NB, yes I know you are supposed to keep the items clean, but dry cleaning my coat after every time I wear it isn't an option.

London_Town

I share your concerns and wish I had a cover all solution to offer you. I've had clothes eaten by carpet beetle larvae as well as moths. I've used cedar balls but am not sure how effective they are. I also have a lavendar glade gel air freshner in the base of my wardrobe that hopefully helps to put them off. I wouldn't want to use moth balls because of my worries over them being carcinogenic.

I think one of the most important things is to check your clothes regularly and vacuum your wardrobes regularly. I've had the most damage done when I've neglected to inspect my clothes and then find I've had a moth or carpet beetle attack.

WestonDave

I would have thought that if you keep the larger items in the sort of suit covers that dry cleaners flog (not the cling film stuff but the zip up covers) you'd be pretty safe. If you want to be really sure the main way they'd get into one of those carriers is via the neck so if you put a large plastic carrier bag over the top (pierce the coat hanger through the middle of the base of the bag so it covers the top and shoulders of the coat) it would reduce the risk to very low. Cedar balls/blocks can be reactivated by sanding them with a bit of sand paper to release the aroma again.

Dorset_Dreamer

Cedar wood products work well, but will loose their moth repelling properties after about 6 months, so you can boost their potency with a cedar essential oil (as well as sanding back as already mentioned).

If you can neatly fold up your coat, any moth deterrents have maximum impact when packed into an air tight container.

You could get a fabric protector spray for natural textiles which would last about 3 months for every application and would put the clothes moth off the scent of your cashmere.

There are lots of advice pages and tips on this site:
mothprevention dot com
- good luck!