The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

DigForVictory

I gather some original vintage lovelies have an engraved 'linenfold' pattern on the top front panels which looks glorious (something like this). I will be watching out for one now, cedar lined or not, as we can Do Things with oils.

I find the existence of the moth is something that flummoxes my child-like faith in divine omniscience...

thriftwizard

Oooh, DFV, glad to hear you are ok... and them's wise words about eating when you need to - and drinking, especially drinking - says she who accidentally murdered the family's much-loved Estima whilst driving when hungry & far too tired...

Also shuddering at the thought of moths, especially as a spinner & weaver! I do my best, but the blighters get in somehow...

GreyQueen

thriftwizard wrote: »

Oooh, DFV, glad to hear you are ok... and them's wise words about eating when you need to - and drinking, especially drinking - says she who accidentally murdered the family's much-loved Estima whilst driving when hungry & far too tired...

Also shuddering at the thought of moths, especially as a spinner & weaver! I do my best, but the blighters get in somehow...

:eek: I used to assist with looking afterwhat was believed to be the 3rd largest collection of historical costumes in the whole of Europe. Some of the pieces were the proper orignal garments (i.e. not modern replicas) from 200-300 years ago. If you wanna see a wardrobe mistress or wardrobe master go white, mention clothes moths!

PipneyJane

GreyQueen wrote: »

:eek: I used to assist with looking afterwhat was believed to be the 3rd largest collection of historical costumes in the whole of Europe. Some of the pieces were the proper orignal garments (i.e. not modern replicas) from 200-300 years ago. If you wanna see a wardrobe mistress or wardrobe master go white, mention clothes moths!

Scary! Did you pick up any moth-prevention tips?

- Pip

boultdj

Do you think cedar essential oil would work to keep the moths away?

DigForVictory

I’m using it for that, and over 12 months it’s been OK but I plan to get youngest, away doing work experience in a museum, to ask what they use...

GreyQueen

DigForVictory wrote: »

I’m using it for that, and over 12 months it’s been OK but I plan to get youngest, away doing work experience in a museum, to ask what they use...

:eek: Clothes moths are also attracted to taxidermy, so if you have any stuffed critters or birdies in your baronial halls (ooo-err missus) do keep an eye on them.


Pip, it was just making sure everything was put away as clean as possible. Garments (which were often not washable) were used with tacked in dress or suit protectors, which were washable shaped cotton pads tacked into the armpit area to soak up sweat and then removed between uses and laundered in washing machine. I get the horrors when I read of people putting clothing which has not been freshly laundered/ dry-cleaned into storage as that's a brilliant way to attract moths. I lean heavily on lavender essential oil myself, I like the smell and they don't.;)

[Deleted User]

Have just done a bit of research on Moth Prevention and found this recipe from a woollen mill

1/2 cup dry lavender
1/2 cup dry tansy
1/2 cup dry mint
1/2 cup dry pennyroyal
1/4 cup whole cloves
1/2 cup artemisia (wormwood)
1/4 cup whole peppercorns
2 tablespoons dry thyme
2 tablespoons dry rosemary
4 drops of lemon oil

Mix the dry herbs together, add the lemon oil and mix again. Put into an airtight container for a fortnight mixing occasionally and then use in sachets amongst stored clothes.

Hope it works but it should smell wonderful!

DigForVictory

Lose the tansy, pennyroyal & artemisia, add a couple of pounds of tomatoes, simmer & serve over pasta.

Why limit yourself to minding the clothes when, since you have the herbs out anyway, you can sort the next meal (or sauces for several) at the same time?!

(I really Must load the dehydrator - the front garden of herbs is nearly my waist height & it all tastes stronger if it hasn't set seed...)

GreyQueen

Quick word to the wise; pennyroyal is an abortificant and should not be used by or around pregnant women or pregnant animals. I've also known tansy to cause phyto-photo-dermatitis, which is where the sap gets on your skin and then reacts with sunlight to form very painful blistering.


It's the same thing as happens with giant hogweed and I've been badly blistered by this when removing bolted 2nd year parsnip plants, so please use gloves if harvesting tansy as a living plant.