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How to prevent and remove moths in your clothes

Save your clothes! - by Jane Pine
  • 27 Apr 2018

It's always disheartening to pull out your favourite item of clothing only to discover that it's been destroyed by moths. Here's how to prevent moths in your wardrobe, and get rid of the moth larvae in your clothes. 

1. Wool, cashmere, silk and cotton and delicates are most at risk. Make sure you wash all of your clothes at a high temperature before storing them.

2. Alternatively, place your most precious in a plastic bag and freeze for at least 48 hours. This will kill all of the moth larvae. Defrost properly before hanging back in your wardrobe.

3. Make sure your wardrobe is properly ventilated. Moths are attracted to dark and warm spaces, and will seek out clothes that have food, body oils, hair and sweat on them.

Clothes moths
Getty

4. Keep on top of vacuuming the carpet and other soft furnishings around your wardrobe.

5. Air out boxes and shelves that are used for long-term storage.

6. Take everything out of your wardrobe at the end of each season and wipe down all of the surfaces with a cloth soaked in water and detergent. Line shelves and drawers with anti-moth paper.

7. Dry clean your woolens at the end of winter and store them in vacuum-sealed bags or garment bags. Line them with anti-moth paper strips.

8. Moths are repelled by cedar, so keep some cedar balls or sticks in your wardrobe and storage boxes.

RELATED: How to prevent and remove pantry moths

RELATED: How to get rid of moths without chemicals

Jane Pine
Jane Pine is a digital content editor and has worked in magazines for over 20 years. She's a diehard DIY fan and can't go past a good Ikea hack.

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