Do Moths Eat Cashmere? Moth Proof Your Cashmere

If you find your favorite cashmere clothing has holes, there may be moths in your wardrobe. Read to learn how to mothproof your cashmere.

Your favorite sweater has a few tiny holes that have you baffled. They could be an indication that clothes moths have entered your home and are feeding their larvae on your knits. All is not lost if a cherished cashmere scarf or sweater has moth damage.

Do moths eat cashmere? Yes. Wool, silk, cashmere, angora, and other textiles that contain keratin can be harmed by webbing and case-making clothes moths, as well as other types of moths.

We’ll go over what to do if you think there might be an infestation as well as the best ways to avoid one.

Do Moths Eat Cashmere?

Yes, the moths adore luxurious natural fabrics like cashmere and cotton wool. Moths consume a lot of food and perspire a lot while laying eggs because of their capacity to absorb water and the fact that the fibers can hold it.

It is essential to spread out the moths before storing cashmere clothing to avoid stains building up, which draw and feed moths that result in long-term damage, stains, and odors. Using cedarwood blocks, moth paper, or lavender sachets will prevent adult moths from laying eggs.

When Do Moths Attack?

In the US, moths’ breeding season begins in May and continues through the summer and into October. Your closet is the ideal location to look for them because they prefer dark, quiet areas.

Moths primarily consume clothing during the breeding season because it offers a warm, dry environment for egg-laying.

Moths may have plenty of time to reproduce and gorge on your wool and cashmere clothing since you hardly ever need them at this time of year. Finding holes and moth eggs in your favorite knitwear is depressing.

How to Moth Proof Your Cashmere?

Launder before Storage

Unseen stains from food and drink, perspiration, and skin and hair that stick to the fabric can be found on clean-looking clothing. An average moth prefers to eat all of these. The accumulation of stains, which draw and feed moths that result in long-term harm, staining, and odors, can be avoided by washing your cashmere clothing before storing it.

You must first completely stop the moths’ breeding cycle if you have discovered them in your clothing. Moths don’t like the smell of the solvents, so dry cleaning is a good alternative for pre-storage deep cleaning. Knitwear can also be gently hand washed, or you can use your washing machine’s woolen or delicate setting.

Before storing anything, make sure it is completely dry to prevent musty smells. This option is generally offered by dry cleaners, and it generally works well. To try and completely kill the larvae, you could also freeze your clothing in a sealed plastic bag for up to two weeks.

Iron Your Clothes

You can eliminate moth eggs and larvae that are attached to your clothing by using an iron, which applies direct, high heat to the surface of your clothing. It is perfectly safe to iron your cashmere clothing unless the garment’s tags say, “do not iron” or “dry clean only”.

If the clothing item can be ironed, set your iron to the “wool” setting, use steam heat, and press from the inside with a pressing cloth between the iron and your clothes.

Proper Storage for Cashmere

Wool and cashmere require a climate that is breathable. In order to get rid of any eggs, hair, or moth larvae, you must make sure to wipe your wardrobe with a rug soaked in detergent or solvent.

Lavender sachets, moth paper, and cedarwood blocks can all be used to keep adult moths from laying eggs. For a high level of deterrence, these must be regularly inspected and replaced.

Away from soft furnishings like carpets and other fabrics, neatly pack your clothes. Since moths enjoy the warmth, a spot that is clean and cold is preferred. To ensure that moths have little to eat, keep your carpets, soft furnishings, and curtains clean and free of dust.

Monitor Your Traps

The majority of people rarely check the effectiveness of their set-ups for traps. Whether you use cedarwood blocks, pheromone traps, lavender sachets, or clothes moth killer cassettes, all of them will be ineffective if you don’t keep an eye on them on a regular basis.

Make a note of maintaining and inspecting them on a regular basis because some have expiration dates or need to be replaced frequently.

Check your closet frequently for items you hardly ever wear. In well-lit environments, moths have little chance against frequently worn clothing. To prepare for putting your entire wardrobe back in storage, this is the perfect time to fluff and organize it.

Do Your Cleaning Outside

Brush knitwear and jackets outside if you would rather hand wash your clothing to stop the reproduction cycle. Cleaning the moth eggs in your home is not permitted. Otherwise, you risk spreading mud or egg to your carpet or bedding.

On a bright day, take the clothes outside and give them a thorough brushing, paying close attention to collars and seams. This should eliminate the dirt, eggs, or larvae—some of which might be difficult to see with the unaided eye. This is a time-honored method that keeps your clothing mothproof.

Use Moth Deterrents

By producing fumigant gas, mothballs, and moth crystals can aid in preventing pest infestations. However, these can be harmful to grownups, unborn children, and animals. You would be better off without them, so.

Red cedar’s heartwood has organic oils that can kill the larvae of clothes moths. As a moth deterrent, lavender sachets can be used. You must first keep the area tidy and moth-free because these won’t harm moth eggs or older larvae.

Can You Repair Moth Eaten Cashmere?

There’s a chance moth holes are easier to fix than you think. If the holes are particularly small, no more than 5mm (0.20 in) wide, you can seal them with a fusible bonding web. If the moth holes are larger, you can darn them, which calls for the use of a needle and thread to close them.

It can be challenging to repair clothing that has been eaten by insects, but with some creativity or sewing know-how, it is frequently possible to save it.

Analyze the extent of the damage and decide whether it is cost-effective to repair the garment. It typically costs around $30 to fix a single hole in a garment, but it can cost up to $70 to fix multiple holes.

Conclusion: Moth Proof Your Cashmere

Even though it may be inconvenient, you don’t have to throw away clothing that has moth holes. Instead, work on making the repair invisible or turning the hole into a feature turn.

You can easily save your moth-eared cotton and cashmere thanks to the many excellent tailors and repair shops. Keeping your wardrobe organized and regularly checked is, however, the best course of action.

Now that the clothing is moth-free and the wardrobe is spotless, add a few lavender pouches and cedar blocks to serve as organic moth repellents. Having a moth trap handy to warn you of potential infestations is also a good idea.

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