How to Prevent Clothes Moths and Protect Your Clothes

The moth does not eat the fabric – the larvae do

To prevent them, you have to understand the enemy. The adult clothes moth does not even have a working mouth and eats nothing; it only lays eggs. It is the larvae that do the damage, and they live on keratin – the protein in animal fibres such as wool, silk, cashmere, mohair, fur and feather/down. Cotton and synthetics are rarely attacked unless they are soiled. The larvae thrive where it is dark, quiet and a little dirty, and are drawn especially to sweat, skin oils, hair and food residue. Spot the signs early and you stop an infestation before it spreads.

• Small, irregular holes in wool and fine knits, often in hidden folds.
• Cobweb-like threads or tiny cocoons in seams and creases.
• Sandy 'grit' (larval droppings) the same colour as the fabric.
• Small, golden-brown moths fluttering low in dark wardrobes rather than towards the light.

Rule number one: store only clean clothes

This is the single most important precaution of all. A garment that looks clean can still carry invisible sweat, skin oil or food spills that are an open invitation to moths – which is exactly why unwashed wool put away for the season is so often attacked. Always wash or clean wool, silk and down before you pack it away for summer or winter.

1. Wash or clean all wool, silk and down garments before they go into storage for the season.
2. Pay extra attention to collars, cuffs and underarms, where sweat and skin oils collect.
3. Let garments dry completely before packing – damp attracts both moths and mildew.
4. Put clothes away as soon as they are clean, so they do not get soiled again first.

Store clothes so moths cannot thrive

Moths love dark, undisturbed corners. Take away their hiding place and keep wardrobes clean, and they lose their foothold.

• Store clean seasonal clothes in sealed plastic boxes, vacuum bags or closed garment bags, not loose on open shelves.
• Keep wardrobes and drawers clean and vacuum regularly, including corners and along skirting where lint and hair gather.
• Use cedar wood or lavender sachets – they repel moths but do not kill them, and the scent must be refreshed (lightly sand the cedar to renew it).
• Take garments out and air them now and then; moths hate movement, light and disturbance.
• Avoid storing clothes in damp cellars and sheds – dry and airy is safest.

Found moths? Freeze and clean

If you see holes, larvae or fluttering moths, act fast so it does not spread to the neighbours in the wardrobe. Freezing is the most effective home weapon against larvae and eggs.

1. Isolate the affected garment immediately in a sealed plastic bag so the larvae cannot spread.
2. Put the bag in the freezer for at least a few days – the cold kills larvae and eggs.
3. Thaw the garment, and ideally repeat the freeze–thaw round once more to catch any eggs that survived.
4. Wash or clean the garment afterwards to remove dead larvae and residue.
5. Empty and vacuum the whole wardrobe thoroughly, throw away the vacuum bag, and check neighbouring garments for hidden infestations.

When should you get help from professionals?

The prevention itself you can manage at home – but the best insurance against moths is storing garments completely clean, and it is precisely wool, cashmere and down that are worth cleaning properly before they go away for the season. If moths have already been at work, small holes in valuable garments can sometimes be repaired – send it in and you will see what is possible. We clean wool and fine knits according to fabric and care label, so garments go into storage clean and safe. You order online, and you see the price before you order.

Frequently asked questions