Moths hate clean clothes

Moths hate clean clothes

Yes, clean storage is the main thing. Moths are attracted to sweat, food stains, and skin cells — not wool itself.

You don’t need to dry clean everything. A good wash or steam clean works fine for most wool and cashmere. The trick is to make sure the garment is completely clean before you put it away. Even a tiny spot can be a moth snack.

Then store in airtight containers. Plastic bins with sealed lids are cheap and effective. Vacuum compression bags work great for bulky coats and sweaters. Cedar blocks or lavender sachets can help repel moths, but they’re not a substitute for cleaning.

One thing people get wrong: they store dirty clothes thinking the cold will kill moths. It doesn’t. Clean then seal.

Future you will thank you when you pull out a perfect sweater next November.