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

A wardrobe gives clothing moths everything they want: a dark, still space packed with the wool, cashmere and silk their larvae feed on, left undisturbed for weeks at a time. If you are finding small holes, silky webbing or gritty specks on the clothes inside, moths have moved in. The fix is not a mothball. It is discarding or treating the affected garments, cleaning out the wardrobe itself and setting up a natural barrier so moths do not come back, all without toxic fumes on the clothes you wear.

Why moths settle into a wardrobe

Clothing moths avoid light and movement, so a wardrobe you open only now and then is close to ideal for them. The secretive adults do not eat; they slip inside to mate and lay eggs on natural fibers. It is the larvae that do the damage, feeding on keratin, the protein in wool, silk, fur and felt, and they work the quiet spots first: folded knits, the backs of garments, seams and the corners of drawers. Because a wardrobe is enclosed, an infestation can build unseen until the holes appear. (More on the how and why: How to get rid of clothing moths and Do clothing moths actually eat clothes.)

The non-toxic way to clear your wardrobe

Empty it and check the natural fibers as you go, looking for holes, webbing and sandy 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 wardrobe from top to bottom, getting into the drawer runners, corners and joints where eggs and larvae hide, then empty the vacuum outside. Wipe the shelves, drawers and interior 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 joints with the Insect Buster. Before you restock, hang Clothing Moth Traps inside to catch the males and monitor, then line the shelves and drawers with Cedar Planks and Cedar Chips, refreshing their oils with Cedar Ward as the scent fades. Cedar repels moths but will not cure an active infestation, so it works best once the wardrobe is clean.

Clear your wardrobe 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 drawers, corners and joints, wipe 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: line the wardrobe with cedar (refreshed with Cedar Ward) and hang Clothing Moth Traps last to catch the males and monitor.

Related: How to get rid of clothing moths in the closet and How to kill clothing moths.

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