Storing a Bunad Correctly – Breathing Room for Wool, Airtight for Silver

Put the bunad away clean – rule number one

How a bunad is stored decides whether it survives moths, mildew and creasing. And the single rule that matters most is to put it away clean. Moth larvae are drawn to sweat, food traces and skin cells on wool; a soiled bunad packed away for the season is an invitation. That is why the moment right after 17 May – clean off the day's stains, then store – matters so much.

• Air and brush the wool body, and gently spot-clean a fresh mark – the wool is not washed.
• Hand-wash a genuine linen or cotton shirt and apron, and let them dry fully.
• If the wool needs a proper clean, do it before storage, not after.
• Take the silver off and store it separately (see below).

A breathing cover – never plastic

Wool must breathe. An airtight plastic wrap around the textile does the exact opposite of what the silver needs, and is one of the most common storage mistakes. Use a cover that lets air through, and find a spot that is steadily cool, dark and dry.

• Use a cotton or linen garment bag, or a clean cotton sheet – never plastic.
• Avoid dry-cleaner film, plastic bags and vacuum bags: they trap moisture (mildew), can yellow the fabric and crush the wool flat.
• Cool and dark protects the colour from fading; dry and stable protects against mildew and moths.
• Avoid attics and basements – heat, damp and temperature swings are hard on wool and welcome moths.

Hang and fold correctly

The tailored pieces are safest hanging with good support, while a heavy skirt can just as well be folded – as long as you prevent permanent crease lines.

1. Hang bodice, jacket and coat on a wide, padded hanger that supports the shoulders – never a thin wire hanger.
2. Don't pack the pieces tightly; the bunad needs air around it.
3. Hang a heavy wool skirt from its waistband on a skirt hanger to avoid crease lines.
4. If you fold the skirt, lay acid-free tissue in the folds and refold periodically so the creases don't set.

Moth-proofing through the year

Clothes moths are the classic bunad threat, because the wool body and any wool or silk embroidery are exactly what the larvae eat. Clean, airy storage is half the job; the rest is making the spot uninviting and checking in on it.

1. Put cedar or lavender in the storage – they deter moths but don't kill, so refresh them as the scent fades.
2. Take the bunad out now and then, air it and look for small holes, fine webbing or gritty casings in seams and folds.
3. If you suspect moths: seal the garment in a bag and deep-freeze it – several days at around −18 °C, or freeze–thaw–freeze, kills eggs and larvae.
4. If moths have already made holes, invisible reweaving (kunststopping) is the route – that is specialist work, not DIY.

Store the silver dry, airtight – and never with rubber bands

Here is the tension with the wool: the bunad silver should sit dry and airtight, separate from the fabric. Silver tarnishes from sulphur and moisture, so the goal is to shut air and moisture out – the opposite of the breathing textile cover.

• Store the silver clean and dry in an airtight bag or box, ideally with an anti-tarnish strip or cloth.
• Store the silver separate from the bunad – it can catch in wool and embroidery, and polish residue must never go near the fabric.
• NEVER a rubber band or rubber near the silver: rubber contains sulphur and leaves black tarnish marks exactly where the band sits – a classic, ruinous mistake.
• Handle the silver by the edges and put it on last when wearing, after perfume, hairspray and lotion.

Does the bunad need cleaning or repair before storage?

The safest bunad to put away is a clean one – store it dirty and you invite moths. If the wool needs cleaning before it lies for a long time, or you have found moth holes that should be invisibly rewoven, professionals take over. You can send the bunad to us from anywhere in Norway and describe your wish – for example silver polishing – in the comment field. You see the price before you order. Be early, so the bunad is ready in good time before the next season and 17 May.

Frequently asked questions