How to Kill Moths on a Sweater

Kill moths before they chew holes through your favorite sweaters.

Moths chew holes in sweaters and wreak havoc on your wardrobe. Mothballs are the most effective way to kill and repel the pests, but they are very toxic to people and pets. Ingredients like naphthalene are carcinogens and are harmful whether you breath their fumes or touch them. Before you resort to chemical-laden mothballs, use natural remedies like hot-drying and then freezing sweaters to kill moths and their eggs.

Things You'll Need

• Freezer
• Outdoor clothesline
• Clothes dryer
• Air-tight containers

Instructions

1. Freeze the live moths by placing sweaters in your freezer for at least 24 hours. Remove and shake the sweater out; then wash and dry it.

2. Kill moth eggs in the dryer. Place the sweater inside and run the dryer on hot for several minutes, being careful not to shrink your sweater. Remove the sweater and hang it in the sun for several hours.

3. Store sweaters in air-tight containers when you aren't using them. Consider including natural moth repellents made of ingredients such as rosemary, mint, cloves, thyme and ginseng -- or hanging the repellent in your closet.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow sweaters to air-dry completely before storing them in your closet or air-tight container. Vacuum up moths and moth eggs often.

References

• Ehso.com: Mothballs - Are They Safe?
• Care2; Packing Those Sweaters Away Safely; Annie B. Bond, May 1999

Resources

• How to Get Rid of Things; How to Get Rid of Moths; Adam Bjerk