How to Keep Your Winter Jumpers Safe from Moths (and Bad Odours)
There is a very particular moment in late winter when the sun turns up just enough to make you believe you might soon have a life again. The light changes. You open a window. You feel wildly optimistic about linen. And then you open the wardrobe and there they are. Your winter jumpers. Thick. Soft. Slightly smug about how much you relied on them since October.
At this point most of us are tempted to do the classic seasonal manoeuvre which involves shoving them into a drawer with all the grace of someone stuffing a duvet into a suitcase. Close drawer. Walk away. Forget entirely. Unfortunately moths do not forget. Moths have been waiting for this moment with the focus of a tiny beige assassin.
The problem is not the jumper itself. It is you. Or more specifically the faint traces of you. Moths adore the little souvenirs we leave behind on clothes. A bit of skin oil here. A whisper of perfume there. Possibly a rogue biscuit crumb if you are anything like me. To a moth this is basically a five star tasting menu.
So before the jumpers disappear into seasonal exile give them a small send off. A sort of spa weekend before the long summer break.
A quick spritz of our natural cashmere refresher does wonders. It is made with biodegradable plant extracts that gently freshen fibres and deal with lingering odours without upsetting delicate wool or sensitive skin. The scent is Midwinter 21 which is all cedarwood, eucalyptus and bergamot, and smells reassuringly like a brisk walk in a forest, while wearing something expensive. Moths are not fans, which is excellent news for everyone except the moths.
If the jumper has lived a particularly full winter perhaps involving red wine, firesides or enthusiastic Sunday roasts, then a proper wash is in order. Our cashmere shampoo is designed to clean and nourish at the same time, which feels pleasingly indulgent for a garment that mostly sat on your shoulders while you watched television. And if you notice those little bobbles that appear after months of wear, a few calm strokes with a cashmere comb will have the whole thing looking pristine again.
Once refreshed resist the urge to hang them up. Delicate fibres do not enjoy the drama of gravity and will quietly stretch themselves into odd shapes when nobody is looking. Folding is the calmer life choice. Smooth them out. Stack them neatly. If you feel particularly organised slip a little tissue paper between layers and enjoy the moment of domestic triumph.
Then comes the moth prevention stage which sounds serious but is actually very simple. Cedar balls are the quiet heroes of the wardrobe. Tuck them between your folded jumpers and they release a gentle woody scent that moths find deeply unappealing. Lavender sachets work beautifully alongside them if you like your knitwear to smell faintly like the world’s most elegant airing cupboard.
The one thing to avoid at all costs is plastic. Plastic bags are essentially the wardrobe equivalent of sealing your jumpers into a sauna. Natural fibres like to breathe. Cotton storage bags or simple boxes are far kinder (reuse our postage boxes) and allow a little airflow which moths dislike, almost as much as cedar.
And every now and then give the stack a tiny bit of attention. A gentle shake. A quick refold. Nothing dramatic. Moths adore stillness, darkness and neglect, so a small amount of occasional disturbance keeps things pleasantly uninviting for them.
Do all of this and when November arrives and the cold returns with its usual theatrical flourish, you will open the cupboard to find your jumpers exactly as you left them. Soft. Intact. Smelling faintly of cedar and winter forests rather than disappointment.
Which frankly is the dream. Because nothing quite compares to the luxury of pulling on a beloved cashmere jumper on the first properly cold day, knowing it has survived the summer entirely unmolested by tiny wool eating vandals.
People Also Wonder...
How do you keep moths away from wool and cashmere?
The simplest answer is cleanliness and scent. Moths are attracted to natural fibres that carry traces of sweat skin oils or food. Washing or refreshing your knitwear before storing it removes the buffet. Adding natural deterrents such as cedarwood or lavender helps make your wardrobe smell lovely to you and deeply unattractive to moths.
Why do moths eat jumpers?
Technically it is not the moth you see fluttering about that does the damage. It is the larvae. They feed on keratin which is found in natural fibres like wool, cashmere, alpaca and silk. If those fibres also happen to carry a hint of human life such as perfume, skin oils or a crumb from a biscuit then all the better from a moth’s point of view.
Should you wash jumpers before storing them?
Yes always. Even if a jumper looks perfectly clean it will almost certainly carry invisible traces that attract moths. A gentle wash with a cashmere shampoo or a refresh with a natural fabric spray helps remove those traces and keeps the fibres soft fresh and far less tempting.
Is cedar really effective against moths?
Yes, cedarwood is one of the oldest and most reliable natural moth deterrents. The oils released by cedar create a scent that moths dislike. Cedar balls or blocks tucked between folded knitwear help protect garments while also giving your wardrobe that quietly luxurious woody fragrance.
Is it better to hang or fold wool jumpers?
Fold them. Hanging delicate knitwear can stretch the fibres over time especially heavier pieces like cashmere or lambswool jumpers. Folding keeps the shape intact and also makes it easier to layer protective elements such as cedar balls or lavender sachets between garments.
What is the best way to store winter jumpers in summer?
Clean them first, then fold them neatly and store them in breathable cotton bags or boxes with natural moth deterrents such as cedar or lavender. Avoid plastic storage which traps moisture and stale air. A little occasional movement during the summer months also helps keep moths away.
Talk soon.
B x 😊
