Not to be confused with pantry moths, which feed on human food sources, clothes moths have a taste for wool and other “animal-based materials such as fur, silk, feathers, felt, and leather,” says ACE-certified entomologist Scot Hodges, VP of professional development and technical services at Arrow Exterminators. He adds that they like to hitch rides on “secondhand clothing, furniture, rugs, and blankets,” and if left unchecked, they can wreak irreparable damage to your duds. What’s more, most people won’t often know they’re there until the deed is done. At half an inch in size or smaller, moth larvae frequently go unnoticed—and “the larvae are the ones that do the damage,” says Hodges.
Other Stories
Danser uses secondhand wool fabric to avoid such a thing. If you are skeptical—either of the method’s effectiveness or its safety—that’s understandable, considering how unconventional it is. It is however, according to the University of California Statewide Integral Pest Management Program. It is It is possible to bake wool fabric. The article says “heating the infested item in an oven for at least 30 minutes at temperatures higher than 120℉” can prevent a possible plague of clothes moths in your home. You’ll find that the process is fairly simple, too.
How to bake wool fabric for clothes moths
If you want to bake wool fabric, here is Danser’s tried-and-true method.
Materials
Baking/cookie tray
1. You can place the woolen item on a baking tray.
2. Heat the oven to the lowest possible temperature—or, ideally, to 120℉.
3. The woolen object should be left in the oven for no more than 30 to 45 minutes.
One warning from Danser: You’ll want to avoid baking woolen items with plastic pieces, like buttons and zippers, or synthetic materials. San Francisco-based textile expert Saana Baker echoes this sentiment, adding, “if it’s blended with polyester or other non-wool fibers, then you might just melt the whole thing.” If you’re unsure about the fabric content, Baker recommends avoiding the oven-baking method altogether and instead opting for an alternative method to get rid of potential clothes moths.
Clothes moths can be gotten rid of using thifted wool fabric.
Wool fabric can be cleaned by washing or drying.
According to the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, “laundering [woolen items] for 20 to 30 minutes in water that is at least 120℉” can effectively kill clothes moths and their larvae, with the caveat that “many woolen items shouldn’t be washed in hot water.” Baker agrees that it’s best to wash them in cool water temperatures, and with this in mind, you might want to consider dry cleaning wool items to prevent damaging the fabric.
Freezer: Chill Wool Fabric
If you want to avoid washing or dry cleaning a woolen item, consider putting it in the freezer—because, apart from high heat, clothes moths can’t typically survive in cold temperatures. “Put it in the freezer for a couple of days,” says Baker. She also mentions that you’ll want to place the item in a Ziplock or zip-top plastic bag. Otherwise, the item itself will freeze, which can potentially damage the fabric, particularly if it shouldn’t be exposed to water.
How to prevent future Clothes Moth Infestations
You might have done your due diligence to get rid of clothes moths, but this won’t always prevent them from attempting to make a reappearance. It pays to prepare for a future clothing moth infestation. “Deep cleaning and vacuuming a couple of times a year can be helpful,” says Hodges, “and overall reducing clutter in storage areas such as closets and cabinets.” He explains: “Moths prefer dark, undisturbed areas, so limiting the harborage from clutter will give them fewer places to hide.”
It is also recommended that you wash and dry clean clothes frequently. “Soiled or worn clothing is more attractive to moths than clean clothing, although they will feed on either,” he says. This is why you might consider packing off-season clothing into bags and bins. Hodges states that clothes moths can be kept away by using airtight bags. Mothballs can also repel the pest, and though effective, you may want to avoid using them as the insecticide isn’t kid or pet-friendly—and breathing in their fumes can make you ill. Baker says that although they are popular options for deterring moths Baker has received mixed results. However, there’s no harm in trying them—and at the very least, they’ll make your closet and clothes smell nice.
Iris Usa, 30-Quart Weathertight Storage Box — $25.00
This storage container is made of strong plastic and comes in eight sizes, ranging from 6.5 to 103 cubic inches. According to one Amazon reviewer, it’s also “moth-proof”—something which many others have agreed—making it ideal to protect off-season clothes and bedding from pests.
Acmetop, Cedar Blocks (15-Pack) — $20.00
These cedar blocks can be placed in the corner or drawers of your closet. You also have the option to use the hooks for hanging them from a clothes rod. The manufacturer notes that the cedar blocks will lose their scent over time, but you can “reactivate” it by sanding them down with sandpaper.
Armour Shell, Moth Repellent Sachets (20-Pack) — $26.00
To repel clothes moths from your home, you can keep a few pre-filled lavender or cedar sachets inside of your wardrobe, dresser drawers and storage containers. Set includes 10 sachets containing dried lavender flowers, and 10 sachets containing cedar wood shavings.
Clothes Moths: Common Questions
Moths like clean or dirty clothing.
Scot Hodges (ACE-certified entomologist), Arrow Exterminators’ VP of technical services, said that clothes moths prefer to eat soiled clothing. However, he also mentioned that they can eat clean clothes.
What are the ways moths can get into wool clothing?
Clothes moths love wool, and any animal-based material. This is the place where they usually lay their eggs. You may also find them in secondhand clothes or furniture. According to Hodges: “They can also occur due to the presence of animal nesting materials or carcasses they may be feeding on.”
Can washing wool kill moths?
Washing wool in water that’s at least 120℉ can effectively get rid of clothes moths, though it isn’t recommended to launder woolen items in hot water—it will damage the fabric. You can, however, consider dry cleaning the item, chilling it in the freezer, or if it’s made without plastic pieces or synthetic materials, heating it in the oven.
The products chosen by the editors are made independently. Well+Good might earn a commission for any purchase made through these links.