Everybody hates moths! But if you are one of those who got stuck with them and they seem to enjoy your company, check out these steps that will help you get a moth-free wardrobe.
No matter what we do, moths always seem to find a way to enter your wardrobe and destroy every single piece of clothing that you have, leaving them unwearable. I remember having this issue soon after I moved to my new apartment, and it was a pain in the neck trying to get rid of it.
Of course, I found them silently munching on fur, wool, or cashmere. I laughed to myself because these were the most expensive fabrics in my wardrobe, and somehow they were attracted to them. Ironically!
But with time, I learned some things about how to get rid of them completely and have a moth-free wardrobe for the rest of my life.
1. Brush or beat natural fiber items outside your house
One of the first steps to get a moth-free wardrobe is to brush all your clothes regularly but only outside the house. Why is this important? Well, it may sound weird but I’ve learned this trick from my grandmother (God bless her soul).
Before every spring cleaning, she used to beat every single thing in her closet. The garments were properly brushed after being extensively checked for moths, and those that could have been salvaged were saved while the infected ones were thrown away.
It may sound funny to “beat up” your clothes, but this is one effective method to get rid of these tiny pricks and have a moth-free wardrobe!
2. Wash your clothes before you put them in the wardrobe
Moths are most attracted to human body oils, perspiration, and hair that are left on clothes, especially those composed of natural fibers (wool, feathers, fur, and silk).
If you have any special clothes like gowns or tuxedos that you only use on special occasions put them in cotton-made bags with zippers that, if at all possible, completely enclose them.
Additionally, washing garments before storing them is essential, especially if you want to keep them for a long time (from winter to spring).
3. Store your clothing in plastic containers
Any clothing that won’t be used frequently should be securely sealed in airtight packaging, such as vacuum-seal storage bags, to avoid a moth infestation. Avoid cardboard boxes since moths can munch on them and get to your clothes.
To prevent moths from depositing their eggs in the closet, try to keep it cold, dry, and well-ventilated.
4. Vacuum
The next step in completing the mission for a moth-free wardrobe is to vacuum regularly. If someone had told me this years ago, I wouldn’t have believed them, but in a house with indoor pets, closet moths can thrive excellently because of the buildup of fur.
The most common places in which hair gets stuck are on the floor in closets. To avoid a moth infestation in your house, make sure you vacuum at least twice a week, especially in places that aren’t reachable.
I have a habit, and every two weeks I remove all the clothes and clean the interior of my wardrobe with warm water and soap. It’s very efficient, and until now, it helped me get a moth-free wardrobe!
5. Use hangers made of cedarwood
If you want to have a moth-free wardrobe, besides cleaning regularly, it’s also important to use the proper moth repellents. In the past, our parents and grandparents used to buy mothballs and put them in the closet near the garments. However, according to recent studies, these balls contain substances that can also harm humans.
Today, using cedarwood is advised because the aromatic oil in the wood helps to ward off moths. This wood may be used to make hangers that help keep moths away from clothing, but to maintain their pesticidal qualities, they must be gently polished or recoated with cedar oil every few months.
Are you looking for some hangers made of cedarwood, but all you can find are regular hangers made of pine or other types of wood, and above all, they’re also expensive? I got you! Check out this set of 20 hangers at the incredible price of $29.58 on Amazon. But you better hurry up, since they might sell fast!
6. When nothing goes right, go for vinegar
The sixth effective method to have a moth-free wardrobe is by using white vinegar to clean the surfaces. Imagine if there are people who think vinegar has an acquired smell. How badly do moths react to it? White vinegar exposure makes moth eggs and larvae incapable of surviving in the environment.
Combine water and vinegar and clean all the surfaces of your house. However, bear in mind that certain surfaces, like hardwood floors, stone countertops, or metals, can get damaged because of vinegar. Use it wisely!
7. Extreme temperatures can be your friends!
Additionally, moth larvae and eggs cannot endure temperatures that are too hot. Verify the safety of high-temperature washing and drying by reading the garment labels. Use the dryer’s and washer’s maximum heat level if at all feasible.
However, utilizing the freezer is still another effective way to maintain a moth-free wardrobe. Extremely cold conditions are not suitable for moth eggs or larvae to survive. Therefore, you may try freezing any clothing that exhibits moth damage. The clothing should be placed in a zip-top bag and frozen for 24 hours.
8. Use natural repellents
In a small cloth bag, put dried thyme, rosemary, cloves, lavender, or bay leaves. Hang the bag in your closet and put the contents in your drawers. Moths can be repelled by spraying these plants’ oil on infected objects and clothing.
Do you want to know my secret on how to have a moth-free wardrobe? I use peppermint essential oil mixed with 16 oz. of water to wash down my shelves whenever I find moths within my house. Use the aforementioned substitute, which is conveniently available on Amazon or at one of your local retailers, if you don’t like the fragrance.
9. Call pest control companies
You already tried every little thing, but it doesn’t seem to work, and your house is still full of moths. Unfortunately, this happened to me too, and the only viable solution was to call a pest control company that helped me get rid of them completely. The services indeed cost me quite a bit, but I don’t regret making this decision!
Takeaway:
Every season, repeat the previous methods and restock your moth-repellant supplies. Effective moth prevention requires constant vigilance, so use this opportunity to inspect your clothing for holes left by moth eggs and larvae.
If you find anything odd, you are more likely to have found any potential infestation before it has a chance to spread. In the end, lavender sachets, which are also quite effective, might be used if you enjoy the scent of the herb. Just be sure you won’t rely on them to do the task exclusively.
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