![]() “Put your clothes away clean, either by freezing them, heating them in the dryer, or getting them dry cleaned. “Just avoid them because there are all these nontoxic ways you can prevent infestation,” Tartaglia says. The only safe way to use them is to place them in an airtight container with your clothes, which will come out smelling like mothballs when winter rolls around again. ![]() Mothballs work, but only because they’re a highly toxic chemical with noxious vapors that can harm all living creatures, including you, your children, and your pets. Ballard warns that cedar chests and the cedar oil in them are acidic and can damage wool sweaters and fine fabrics. “I’ve dealt with many infestations in cedar closets,” Brumfield says, adding that these substances don’t deter moths. Shake them out or brush them before putting them back in a drawer or on a hanger.ĭon’t bother with natural “moth repellents,” including cedar, lavender, cloves, vinegar, and black pepper. For seasonal storage, Ballard suggests wrapping the clean clothes in acid-free paper or turning your clothes inside out (so if it yellows, only the inside looks weird) and placing them in a tightly sealed plastic tote or vacuum-sealable bag.Īs a preventive measure, place garments that you continue to wear in the dryer or freezer once or twice a month, just in case there are any small eggs on them. If you’ve had your clothes dry-cleaned, remove the plastic covering as soon as you get them home to avoid yellowing the fabrics. Put the cleaned clothing back in your closets and drawers only after you’ve thoroughly vacuumed them out. “Having that stuff spinning around in the vacuum bag or the canister will destroy any eggs you suck up like shrapnel,” Brumfield says. Before you start, vacuum up a handful of a natural desiccant, like baking powder, baking soda, baby powder, dry rice, or diatomaceous earth first. Use your vacuum cleaner’s hose and crevice tool to target any areas where hair, pet fur, and lint accumulate, including cracks and crevices in flooring, baseboards, shelves, drawers, closets, and chests. ![]() “The problem won’t go away if you don’t clean out the closet and get rid of the dust bunnies and other potential nesting zones,” Ballard says. Once you’ve cleaned your clothing it’s time to tackle your home. Place the item in dry and be mindful of what you toss in there: Ballard warns that heat and mechanical action can affect the texture of fine wool clothes. The hottest dryer setting will do the job. ![]() Heat also works as long, as it’s over 120° F for at least 30 minutes, Brumfield says. ![]()
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