How to Keep Moths From Woolen Clothing
Mothballs kill moth adults, eggs and larvae as long as they're closed up together with no ventilation. The active ingredient in these products is naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, both of which are potentially dangerous to human according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Worse, mothballs are flammable and toxic to pets. You can do some thing to protect your wool garments without using toxic pesticides. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Padded hangers
- Clothing brush
- Clothes iron
- Pressing cloth
- Airtight plastic containers
- Cedar blocks
Instructions
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Hang woolen clothing in a steamy bathroom as soon as you take the items off or unpack them. This will refresh your garments and remove wrinkles.
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2
Remove belts or ties and empty the pockets of woolen items that you wear often. Unzip and unbutton the garments. Hang them on padded hangers, and give them plenty of space. Let them air for at least 24 hours before you wear them again.
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3
Keep woolen items clean. Remove surface soil with a clothing brush and spot-clean food or dripped beverages immediately with a damp sponge.
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4
Air-dry wet wool clothing at room temperature. Don't expose the garments to heat. Brush with the nap to spiff up the items after they're dry.
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Press your wool garments before storing them. Use steam and your iron's wool setting, and turn the garment inside out if at all possible. Use a pressing cloth if you must iron the right side of the fabric. This will prevent shine.
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Dry clean woolen garments once per season.
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Pack wool clothing in airtight plastic containers for storage. Add fresh cedar blocks to the container.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't expose woolen items to perfumes or colognes. These materials attract moths.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Stephen Schauer/Digital Vision/Getty Images
