How to protect a wedding dress from moths | Non-toxic

A wedding dress is one of the hardest garments to lose to moths and one of the easiest to protect if you store it right. Clothing moths are drawn to a gown by the silk, the lace, and what the fabric carries after the big day. A little care before it goes into storage keeps it safe for decades, the non-toxic way.

Why moths go after a stored gown

Clothing moth larvae feed on protein fibers like silk. What really draws them, though, is a soiled gown: stains from food, spilled drinks (especially sugary ones), body oils and sweat make the fabric far more enticing, even when it looks clean. Moths lay their eggs in the dark, undisturbed conditions of long-term storage. The damage can go unseen for years until the box is opened. (More on the how and why: How to get rid of clothing moths and Do clothing moths actually eat clothes.)

How to protect your dress the non-toxic way

Clean it first, ideally by a professional cleaner, so no oils, food or drink traces are left to attract moths. Store it in a breathable, acid-free storage box, which keeps the fabric from yellowing and weakening over time, rather than sealed plastic that traps moisture. Tuck a Cedar Chips canister into the box with the dress: the cedar is sealed inside the canister, so it repels moths without its oils touching the fabric. Refresh it with Cedar Ward as the scent fades. Set Cedar Planks on the shelf nearby for extra protection. Keep a Clothing Moth Trap in the closet as an early-warning monitor. Clean, sealed away with cedar and watched by a trap, your gown can wait for the next generation in peace.

Protect your wedding dress

• Clean before storing: have the gown professionally cleaned so no oils, food or drink traces remain.
• Store it right: a breathable, acid-free box (which prevents yellowing), never sealed plastic.
• Cedar in the box: tuck a Cedar Chips canister in with the dress, refreshed with Cedar Ward; the canister keeps the cedar off the fabric.
• Monitor: keep a Clothing Moth Trap in the closet, with Cedar Planks nearby for extra protection.

Related: How to protect cashmere from moths and How to stop moths from eating your silk clothing.

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