Storing woolens and knitwear between seasons
Store knitwear safely between seasons by washing it, drying it fully, folding it into moth-proof containers and checking for clothes moths. Learn the habits that protect wool.
The damage that stored knitwear suffers most often comes from clothes moth larvae rather than the adult moths themselves. Adult moths that flutter around a closet do not eat fabric. They lay eggs on or near textiles, and the larvae feed on keratin, the protein found in wool, cashmere, alpaca and other animal fibers. Storage that protects knitwear therefore aims to remove whatever attracts moths, keep the garment clean and dry, and make it hard for moths to reach the fabric.
Storage also affects shape. Knitwear that hangs for months can stretch at the shoulders, while neatly folded pieces keep their line. The method is straightforward: clean the garment, make sure it is completely dry, fold it, pack it in a closed container that moths cannot enter, and keep the container somewhere cool, dry and dark.
Clean before storing, not just after wearing
Moths are drawn to fabric that carries body oils, sweat, food or drink stains. A sweater that looks clean may still hold invisible residue, so wash or dry-clean knitwear before it goes into storage. Use the gentle hand-washing method suited to wool, and make sure the sweater is fully dry before packing it.
Timing matters as well. Clothes moths are most active in warm months, and their larvae can take weeks or months to develop, depending on temperature and the food available to them. A garment packed away in spring can therefore show damage by autumn, even though it looked perfect when it went into the box. Heated homes can keep moths active through winter, so a cold season is no guarantee of safety. Moths prefer dark, undisturbed places such as the back of a closet, under a bed or in a rarely opened drawer, so storage that is seldom checked is the most exposed.
Check each piece for holes, thin patches or fine silky webbing before packing. Larvae already present will keep feeding if the sweater is put away, so any sign of damage should be dealt with first. Freezing is the fallback for pieces that cannot be washed. The item must be completely dry and sealed in a bag, then held in a freezer at a steady temperature of about 0°F (-18°C) for several days to a week, the range commonly cited for killing eggs and larvae.
Folding, containers and where to keep them
Fold sweaters rather than hang them. A knit hung by its shoulders can stretch and leave ridges or bumps. Fold each sweater along its body with the sleeves folded behind, and avoid stacking so many heavy pieces that the lower layers are crushed. Tissue paper between folds can prevent sharp creases in some knits.
Hanging suits a different kind of garment. Woven outerwear such as a wool coat is not stretched by its own weight the way a knit is, so once it is clean and dry, it can hang in a closed, moth-proof garment bag. Keep knitwear out of hanging storage, even when it shares a closet with coats. A sweater folded on a shelf keeps its line far better than one left to sag from a hanger.
Store clean, fully dry knitwear in a closed container that moths cannot enter, such as a zippered cotton bag or a lidded box. A zippered cotton bag lets the fibers breathe while keeping moths out, which makes it the safer choice in a room that may be humid. Airtight plastic can trap humidity, so reserve it for garments that are completely dry and kept in a dry storage area. Cedar blocks, lavender sachets and similar natural products have a mild repellent effect, but they do not reliably kill eggs or larvae, so the closed container matters more than any scent. Chemical moth products are pesticides. Follow the label directions and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
Choose a cool, dry and dark place. Attics and basements often have humidity swings, and direct sunlight can fade dyes. A closet shelf or a lidded box in a dry, stable room usually works well.
Humidity deserves its own check. Wool that goes into storage slightly damp can develop mildew, and a room with poor airflow can hold moisture even when nothing looks wet. A small dehumidifier or a dry, ventilated shelf can make a real difference in a damp room. Silica gel packets can help keep a closed box dry, but they do not replace airflow or clean garments.
Checking and refreshing during storage
Check stored knitwear every few months. Look for small holes, fine webbing, silky tubes or small clumps of fiber, which are signs of moth activity. If you find eggs, larvae or droppings in a storage area, act quickly. Vacuum the drawer or box, the shelf and the cracks around them, then vacuum or wipe out the container before reusing it. Clean the affected items as described above, and use the freezing approach for anything that cannot be cleaned. Vacuuming removes eggs and larvae that have not yet done much damage, so it is a useful first step.
A musty smell or spots on the fabric signal the damp problem described above. Remove the sweater from storage and isolate it from the rest. Clean it, dry it completely and air it in a well-ventilated room. Freezing does not treat mildew, so if stains persist after cleaning, take the sweater to a professional cleaner.
Before wearing a sweater that has been packed away, air it in a well-ventilated room for a day and check for odor, dust and any new damage. A brush or a handheld steamer held at a distance can freshen the surface without pressing it flat. The effort goes into the first packing: clean, dry and folded, then kept in a container that keeps moths and humidity away from the wool until the next season.