Moth Prevention & Post-Moth Care

WASHING – Wash everything before it gets packed away at the end of the season and at the beginning of a new season. Perfume, body oils and food from wearing can appear and leave stains behind and become a potential food source for moths. SEASONALLY RE-ORGANIZE – If you don’t store items seasonally, you should do a thorough re-organization once or twice a year.  Clean your wardrobe and drawers for the new season - take everything out, wash, vacuum & re-organize your drawers. ANTI-MOTH EVERYTHING – There are non-toxic moth products out there - avoid moth balls which are toxic and impossible to remove their odor. Cleaning and storing properly is a great start. Use cedar, lavender or The Laundress Fabric Fresh which are natural moth repellants.

STORAGE – Pack clothes away in a breathable fabric such as a cotton or linen and with a zipper closure. Never store in plastic or in humid/damp areas such an attic or basement which are the optimal environments for moth breeding and attacks.

POST-MOTH ATTACK – Quarantine the scene. The freezer is a good holding spot with air tight bags (throw away after) while you wash everything such as clothes & drawers in the exposed areas. It is imperative to clean your machine with our Machine Cleaner after. Do not go to the dry-cleaner or laundromat as you will infest other clothing and the location.

REPAIRS & MENDING – Consult your local tailors/dry-cleaners - if any buttons have fallen off, holes need mending or clothes have grown too big or too small, take them to be altered and repaired. Don't leave anything in the wardrobe that needs something done to it; chances are it will not be worn. Keep the yarns that come with your knitted items in one safe spot - they come in handy at the most desperate of times.  A good tailor can repair holes, snags, tears, and even shorten/alter items.