Knowing how to get rid of clothes moths is key right now, when we put away our summer clothes and bring out the mid-season ones. These little insects don't damage the fabric themselves: it's their larvae that eat holes in jumpers, wool and stored garments. In this guide you'll learn how to remove moths from your wardrobe, how to kill off their larvae and which home remedies really work to keep them from coming back.
Why moths appear in the wardrobe
The clothes moth seeks out dark, warm, undisturbed places — exactly what a wardrobe that has stayed shut for months provides. It is drawn above all to natural fibres (wool, silk, cotton) and, especially, to garments stored with traces of sweat, food or stains: they are food for its larvae.
The warning sign isn't seeing little moths fluttering about, but finding small holes, loose threads or a kind of webbing in the folds. If you spot that, you need to act fast before the problem spreads to the rest of the wardrobe.
How to remove moth larvae from clothes
The larvae and eggs are the most resilient part, so this is where the real work lies:
- Empty the wardrobe completely and check garment by garment, especially hems, seams and pockets.
- Wash at 60 °C any clothes that can take it; the heat kills eggs and larvae. Whatever can't stand that temperature, put it in a sealed bag in the freezer for 48 hours.
- Vacuum shelves, corners and crevices, and throw the vacuum bag away outside the house when you're done.
- Clean the surfaces with a cloth dampened with water and vinegar, which helps lift off eggs stuck to the wood.
If a garment is heavily infested, isolate it in a bag until you treat it; that way you stop the infestation from jumping to your clean clothes.
Home remedies against clothes moths
Once the wardrobe is clean, it's time to keep the moths at bay with natural solutions, without filling your clothes with chemicals:
- Lavender: sachets of dried lavender among your clothes; its scent repels them and, at the same time, leaves a pleasant aroma.
- Cedar: cedar wood balls or slats, a classic and long-lasting repellent.
- Cloves and citrus peel: a handful in a cloth pouch works as a repellent air freshener.
- Bay leaves: scattered over the shelves, another time-honoured trick.
Refresh these remedies every few weeks, because they lose their scent and, with it, their effect.
How to stop them coming back
The best defence is a tidy, well-ventilated wardrobe. Adopt these habits:
- Always put clothes away clean: never store garments with stains or sweat.
- Use breathable covers for anything you won't be wearing for months.
- Air out and check the wardrobe from time to time; movement and light bother the moths.
- Don't pile up your clothes: let the air circulate between the garments.
Keeping your wardrobe tidy not only keeps moths away, it also makes life easier. If you'd like to give it a boost with organisers and practical covers, take a look at our home selection, designed to gain order and space.
A safe wardrobe all year round
Getting rid of clothes moths is a matter of consistency: a thorough clean when they appear, natural remedies to prevent them and an aired, tidy wardrobe all year round. With these steps you'll protect your jumpers and favourite garments from damage, and spare yourself the dismay of discovering a hole just as you were about to wear the new season's clothes.