Care & Storage
Clothes moths: find them, end them, keep them out.
The moths you see aren't the problem; adult clothes moths don't eat. Their larvae do, feeding on the keratin in wool, cashmere, fur and feathers, especially where there are body oils, sweat or food stains.
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Know the Signs
| Sign | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Adults | Small (about ¼ in), buff or golden moths that flutter in dark corners and avoid light |
| Holes | Irregular holes, often in hidden spots: under collars, armpits, folds |
| Webbing or cases | Silky tunnels or tiny tube-shaped cases stuck to fabric |
| Frass | Fine, sand-like droppings, often the same color as the fabric |
| Surface grazing | Thinned patches where the nap has been eaten away |
Two species do most of the damage: the webbing clothes moth and the case-making clothes moth. They're treated the same way.
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Getting Rid of Them
- 01Empty the space. Take out everything made of animal fiber and inspect it in good light.
- 02Freeze what you can’t wash. Seal items in a plastic bag, push out the air, and freeze at 0 °F (−18 °C) for at least a week. Let them come to room temperature before opening the bag.
- 03Wash or dry clean the rest. Hand wash wool in cool water so it doesn't felt; laundering removes eggs and larvae.
- 04Vacuum thoroughly: closet floors, shelf edges, corners, baseboards, under furniture and rugs. Empty the vacuum outside right away.
- 05Monitor with pheromone traps. They catch males and show whether moths are still around, but they won't end an infestation on their own.
- 06Call a professional if the infestation keeps coming back or involves rugs, carpets or upholstery.
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Keep Them Out
- Store clean: never put away wool that's been worn. Moths go for sweat, skin oils and food traces.
- Seal it: airtight bins or zip bags are the most reliable protection for out-of-season woolens.
- Wear and move things: moths prefer undisturbed, dark spots. Clothes that get worn, brushed and aired rarely get damaged.
- Cedar and lavender may discourage adults a little but won't kill larvae. Cedar loses its effect as it ages; sand it to refresh.
- Check other sources: wool rugs, felt, piano hammers, feather pillows and taxidermy can all host moths.
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Repairing Moth Holes
- Small holes in knits: darn or duplicate-stitch with a matching yarn.
- Woven fabric: a professional reweaver can make small holes almost invisible.
- Visible mending: a contrasting darn or patch turns damage into a feature.
Storage and washing basics: Wool Care & Lanolin.