How to get rid of clothing moths in the closet | Non-toxic

If little holes keep appearing in your sweaters or you find silky webbing and gritty specks in the corners of a shelf, clothing moths have settled into your closet. It is an ideal home for them: dark, quiet and full of the wool, cashmere and silk their larvae feed on. The answer is not a mothball. It is a careful clean-out of the infested clothes, a deep clean of the closet itself and a way to catch the adults and keep new moths out, all without toxic fumes on the clothes you wear.

Why clothing moths love a closet

Clothing moths avoid light and movement, so a closet you rarely disturb suits them perfectly. The adults are secretive and do not eat; they simply mate and lay eggs on natural fibers. It is the larvae that feed on keratin, the protein in wool, silk, fur and felt. They favor pieces stored unwashed, since sweat and body oils draw them in. They work the hidden spots first: the backs of collars, inside folds, along seams and where a garment touches the wall or floor. When a larva is ready to pupate it crawls into a seam or corner, which is why the trouble keeps surfacing on the pieces you wear least. (More on the how and why: How to get rid of clothing moths and Pantry moths vs. clothing moths.)

The non-toxic fix for your closet

Take everything out and sort as you go, checking the natural fibers for holes, webbing and gritty frass. Treat or discard whatever is infested: wash it in hot water at 120°F or above, run it through a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes, have delicates dry-cleaned or seal it in a bag and freeze it at 0°F for about two weeks. Vacuum the empty closet from top to bottom, getting into the corners, baseboards and carpet edges where eggs and larvae hide, then empty the vacuum outside. Wipe the shelves and hard surfaces with a vinegar-and-water solution and follow with a light spray of Six Feet Under. Once everything is dry, puff a thin, even layer of Dust to Dust into the cracks and edges with the Insect Buster. Before you restock, hang Clothing Moth Traps to catch the males and monitor the closet, then tuck in Cedar Planks and a Cedar Chips canister to repel new moths, refreshing their oils with Cedar Ward as the scent fades. Cedar keeps moths away but will not cure an active infestation, so it works best once the closet is clean.

Clear your closet step by step

• Empty and inspect: check keratin fibers like wool, cashmere and silk for holes, webbing and frass.
• Treat or toss: hot-wash, hot-dry, dry-clean or freeze anything infested or uncertain.
• Clean the space: vacuum corners and carpet edges, wipe shelves with vinegar and water then Six Feet Under, then once dry leave a thin layer of Dust to Dust in the cracks.
• Trap and repel: tuck in Cedar Planks and Chips (refreshed with Cedar Ward), then hang Clothing Moth Traps last to catch the males and monitor.

Related: How to kill clothing moths and Non-toxic clothing moths control.

Shop non-toxic clothing moth control → browse the full Clothing moth collection.