https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:26:53 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere/page/2#post-1211831 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 01:29:20 +0000 Sara L. 1211831@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting thread. &nbsp;We don't get moths in my area of the country so I'm finding this educational if not immediately useful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1211810 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 01:07:36 +0000 tricia w. 1211810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Don't laugh, but I used to have a big freezer in our garage and I put my sweaters in it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1211424 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 16:54:07 +0000 Janet 1211424@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>K.Period -- thank you for all of that info! I was just thinking yesterday that I *think* I'm done with my cashmere sweaters for the season. I'm really sorry you have had such a devil of a time with moths, and your advice is very helpful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1211397 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 16:12:23 +0000 Suzanne (ambergreen) 1211397@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just a note that very frequently, what people think are moths are not--they are <b>carpet beetles</b>. The couple of times I really experienced moths, they ate entire items (although they will avoid certain dyes, which is kind of interesting...).</p> <p>Carpet beetle larvae are usually responsible for the few random holes issue, and I have heard that they can chew through ziplock bags.</p> <p>All the scented things, from what I have looked into, don't actually repel moths. But they can "cover" the scent of lanolin, etc. somewhat, which can help keep the beetles from "finding" your items. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1211392 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 15:58:15 +0000 Eirlys 1211392@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well I'm off to buy some moth-repellents as since I read these posts I did some checking of one or two little-used wardrobes. To my horror I found my late MIL's fur coat had been under attack, just under the collar. The coat has ended up in the bin and the other items, fortunately not to the moths' tastes, have had a good shake. (They do not seem to like synthetics!)</p> <p></p> <p>My woollen and cashmere cardies are fine, thank Goodness. </p> <p>However, it just goes to show one can't be too blasé. I haven't seen a moth around for years and I don't want to. Thanks for the timely warning!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1211196 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 06:11:31 +0000 Adelfa 1211196@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have never used moth balls, and I've never had a moth hole in a cashmere sweater, some of which I've had for decades. When I'm using my sweaters, I keep them in a drawer lined with cedar boards (purchase on amazon) plus throw in the drawer two apples studded completely with cloves (they will never rot). At the end of the season, I dry clean them and hang them in they dry cleaner plastic in the closet. I don't know if going below 32 for a couple of seconds a couple of times per year counts as a freeze. In my new place it won't do that so maybe I should be more careful.</p> <p>I have often hand washed cashmere but in my opinion nothing beats an end of season dry cleaning. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1211087 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 02:56:17 +0000 Vicki 1211087@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dang those moths! &nbsp;I love the smell of lavender and lemon, too. &nbsp;I like to have the cashmere cleaned and then put them in zippered bags for safety. &nbsp;Now, honestly, I don't do that all that time, but it seems to be the best way, so all your bases are covered.</p> <p>Cedar blocks are another nice, natural remedy, too. &nbsp;I recall a dear friend gave me my first cashmere sweater and I was so devastated when I found a moth hole in it and I never told her. &nbsp;Fortunately, I found a Scottish woman in Southern California who lived in my area and&nbsp;mended it the "old school" way and it was flawless. &nbsp;I felt fortunate, but I learned a good lesson that I must really take care of my cashmere. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1211080 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 02:48:50 +0000 ironkurtin 1211080@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wash my cashmere in the washer on cold with shampoo, inside out, in pillowcases. I dry them on low until damp and then hang to dry. I blast them in the drier for 30 minutes to an hour once they are dry. I then store them tightly packed and folded with lavender sachets Iin lock-fitting plastic bins from Office Depot. This worked for me in NYC and here.</p> <p>I hate dry cleaning cashmere because it gets stiff. But you have to clean it before storing because moths love food and sweat, even tiny bits. That includes perfume and any scents. And you have to store your sweaters tightly so moths don't have room to move in and munch.</p> <p>Ziplock bags are great but slippery. If you are really worried I would ziplock them securely, then put them in a plastic bin so they don't slide all over the place. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1211073 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 02:42:48 +0000 Suz 1211073@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, this is incredibly informative. Thanks for starting the thread, Thistle, and thanks for your (sad) experience, K. Period.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think I've been super lucky. We have had the occasional moth (and one or two things have been ruined as a result) but it was just that -- an occasional thing. I had never done anything special at all in storing my sweaters -- I just put them in my other closet. Hmmm. I guess I will get more vigilant this year because I do have some cashmere that I'd be very sad to lose.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1211064 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 02:37:43 +0000 Gail 1211064@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have several cashmere sweaters. I usually wash in the machine on the wool cycle and then just store them in my closet. However last season I pulled out a large wool cardigan ,not cashmere , and found it to have many moth holes. The cashmere survived with none ! I am in the process of washing it all to put away but will take no chances and try the ziplock bag storage this year ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1211011 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 02:10:50 +0000 Day Vies 1211011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>K.Period. - you are a genius -- I love the xl&nbsp; ziplock bags. I have a whole box and have been wondering what to do with them. I especially appreciate your tip about fumigating a house prior to moving in. I learned <i>that</i> lesson the hard way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1211004 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 02:09:02 +0000 Thistle 1211004@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I admit, I do normally wash them by hand in the sink. I use my shampoo on them. I dissolve the shampoo in a sink full of water let it soak, and then rinse in fresh water. Dry on a sweater rack.</p> <p>I usually wear a tee underneath them to reduce washing. And, well, frankly I don't sweat. After a day wearing a tee shirt, it smells like my deodorant. Fine in the cold dry winter. It wasn't until I went to college that I understood why some ladies had to wash everything after a single wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210838 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 23:36:50 +0000 K. Period. 1210838@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Thistle, yes! Mild and rainy PNW. &nbsp;No hard freeze to keep the moth populations down. &nbsp;</p> <p>Do you normally wash them? Why not dry clean (for safety) then hand wash when you first take them out of storage for wearing next autumn?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210830 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 23:30:09 +0000 Thistle 1210830@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>K- totally appreciate your experience! I believe you live in the wet and mild Pacific Northwest. I know when my family moved to Seattle, we were shocked at the moth issues. We'd always lived in places with cold hard winters. That and the slugs. Most people in Wisconsin don't believe me how big slugs can get. . . </p> <p>Sounds like I should consider getting it all dry cleaned. I just hate the smell and itch factor of dry cleaning. A part of me is wondering if I need it as I store my sweaters upstairs in office closet. I did find one tiny hole in a red wool jacket I thought might be a moth hole, but I was never sure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210814 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 23:12:43 +0000 Day Vies 1210814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm watching this thread as well. One of my favorite charcoal sweaters had a tiny hole and the other buttery yellow one survived. Those are my only 2 100% cashmere sweaters -- I prefer blends with 70% or more of silk. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210749 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 22:34:45 +0000 K. Period. 1210749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Unfrumped&nbsp;I'd almost forgotten about that! &nbsp;I've heard a lot of knitters talk about&nbsp;the freezing thing, but I think you are correct to wonder about it. &nbsp;The articles that I read say that the temperatures in a home freezer are not sufficient to kill the eggs, only larva. To kill eggs, you need to use dry ice. &nbsp;There is an involved process you can follow to fumigate using dry ice. I thought about it, but it was too much for me. &nbsp;It was just&nbsp;easier to dry clean!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Sorry, Thistle! I don't mean to take over your thread. &nbsp;I've just read and researched a lot on this topic and have a lot of (unfortunate) personal experience about what works and doesn't. So you'll forgive me, right? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210737 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 22:29:35 +0000 Echo 1210737@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I use the vacuum sealed bags for cashmere. They not only take up less space, but it protects them from everything. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210735 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 22:26:34 +0000 unfrumped 1210735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Consider freezing your sweaters one by one before storage - kills larvae but not sure about eggs!<br /> I've been keeping mine in plastic sweater boxes-- a few to a box - but am considering going to the individual ziplock bags and then storing those like letter files , both for reducing chance of cross-contamination and for a system of "blocks" of a few sweaters for fall, the Christmas season and then the spring colors so I can wear a few in rotation several times and wash( or freeze) instead of having all on the go at once for 4-5 months in the closet.<br /> I wish I could use those clear zip envelope- bags from container store because they kind of stand ip like files ,but they have tiny open spaces where zip inserts. I did fold over and clip, but that's more trouble, so probably will go to the true ziplock bag.<br /> I have used some moth crystal packets<br /> In a sweater box as an attpt to " decontaminate " the item before longer- term storage with just cedar- lavender, but would like to go moth- ball free. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210733 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 22:25:22 +0000 Peri 1210733@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've never had the nerve to hand wash cashmere. I always dry clean. I've heard arguments for both, but I go to a dry cleaner that doesn't use the bad stuff, so I'm sticking with that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210723 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 22:18:07 +0000 Marmee 1210723@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thistle, thank you for starting this thread, and K. Period, thank you so much for taking the time to describe your process. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210719 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 22:12:31 +0000 deb 1210719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a very educational thread. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210714 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 22:06:08 +0000 K. Period. 1210714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Kristin SF, it was terrible. Sadly, only a few were salvageable.&nbsp;I patched a few sweaters with patches from the inside of&nbsp;knit pockets and made a few minor reweaving patches on a few other. &nbsp;But there were lots of casualties. &nbsp;It is a pretty effective way to decisively&nbsp;cull your sweater and coat collection, though. &nbsp;I've been extremely careful in the couple years since! &nbsp;Anything I miss (like if I forget a wool sweater on a hanger) is pretty much toast, though.&nbsp;</p> <p>I bought my silica gel sachets, which are <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/Dry-Packs-Moisture-Absorbing-Silica-Indicating/dp/B001O62T4O/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1396303416&amp;sr=8-9&amp;keywords=silica+gel+reusable">like these</a>,&nbsp;from Amazon.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210712 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 21:58:04 +0000 Kristin SF 1210712@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OH K. That sounds terrible. Were you able to recover any of your eaten items of clothing? I took one particularly beloved sweater to the tailors and they stitched up 10 holes, but it was not cheap!</p> <p>Love all those tips, they are great! Where do you buy the silica gel satchets? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210699 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 21:35:49 +0000 K. Period. 1210699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sooooo, I think that lavender and cedar and cloth bags work okay when you are just trying to discourage any stray, random moths from eating your wool. &nbsp;I think you'll be fine, Thistle. &nbsp;</p> <p>I (woe) am tortured by a moth infestation. I bought an old house that I didn't know had a moth problem and I never thought to fumigate it before moving in. &nbsp;I carelessly exposed my wool carpets, wool coats and wool and cashmere sweaters to them. &nbsp;I provided them an endless bountiful feast in the form of my knitting yarn. &nbsp;They decimated my wools. And they come back every year! &nbsp;So, I've read a lot, experimented a lot, and found a few things to be true.&nbsp;</p> <p>1. Always fumigate your home before moving into it and NEVER trust an antique dresser to be moth free.&nbsp;<br />2. Lavender and cedar are deterrents. &nbsp;Hungry moths will get past them. I've seen a moth land on my bottle of lavender oil.&nbsp;<br />3. Chemical moth balls smell awful, but work.&nbsp;<br />4. Getting the chemical moth ball smell out of things takes foreeeeeever. It is there after washing; it is even there after dry cleaning.&nbsp;<br />5. Washing wool deters moths because it cleans off the oils/food particles that we can't see, but they love to munch.&nbsp;<br />6. Washing does not destroy moth eggs. &nbsp;You need to heat your dry wool by putting it in the dryer for a long time to destroy the moth eggs. &nbsp;<br />7. Dry cleaning removes the oils/food particles and moth eggs. &nbsp;Dry cleaning is 100%. <br />8. &nbsp;However, neither washing nor dry cleaning will keep a moth larva from trying to eat your sweater if it is hungry enough, so the sweater&nbsp;has to be protected after cleaning.&nbsp;<br />9. Nothing works better for storing your wools&nbsp;than one of those extra<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/Ziploc-Double-Zipper-X-Large-4-Count/dp/B003U6A3EY">&nbsp;big ziplock bags</a> you can buy. &nbsp;Nothing. &nbsp;Moths can get through zippers and holes in cloth storage bags. (You can imagine how I know.) &nbsp;They can't get through the ziplocks. &nbsp;The bags&nbsp;&nbsp;don't breathe though, so be sure to store them in a cool, low temperature change environment. &nbsp;Add silica gel sachets if you can to take out any humidity trapped in the bag. And it goes without saying that you shouldn't store things for years and years in them without airing them out. &nbsp;<br />So, there you go. My words of advice. The words of a woman who has suffered much at the hands (wings?) of moths. (Shaking fist in air!)&nbsp; </p> <p>ETA: I just realized that I didn't say exactly what I do to prepare and&nbsp;store mine. I dry clean everything that I cannot stand to lose. &nbsp;Straight from the dry cleaner it gets folded and put into the ziplock bag along with a few silica gel packets. &nbsp;Things I don't feel as strongly about (my knit&nbsp;hats, scarves and&nbsp;gloves mostly) get washed, are thoroughly air&nbsp;dried and, when absolutely bone dry, thrown into the dryer on high for an hour. &nbsp;However, I default to dry cleaning if in doubt about whether an item will be damaged by the dryer. Out of fear, I split things between multiple bags and I never mix hand washed with dry cleaned. &nbsp;I haven't lost anything to moths yet with this process, but every year I am anxious. Those beasties are horrible!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210668 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 21:05:11 +0000 Emily 1210668@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Silly q - I store my cashmere sweater in my sweater drawer year round. &nbsp;Should I be doing anything special with it, or are you taking special care because you pack your winter gear away somewhere? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210646 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 20:52:12 +0000 Thistle 1210646@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was checking out these bags at Amazon where you store the sweaters individually:&nbsp; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Household-Essentials-Sweater-Storage-Natural/dp/B0040TF3TK/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1396299012&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=canvas+sweater+storage+bag" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Househol.....1?s=home-g</a></p> <p>I wonder if that would work best so if moths get one sweater, your others would still be protected. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210641 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 20:48:22 +0000 Thistle 1210641@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will check out the Moth Away!!&nbsp; I just cannot take the smell of moth balls. They give me a screaming headache. </p> <p>And Amazon and I are very familiar with each other&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210635 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 20:45:29 +0000 Catnip 1210635@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thistle, I use a product called Moth-Away.&nbsp; It smells great... nothing like moth balls.&nbsp; The active ingredients are peppermint, rosemary, thyme and cloves.&nbsp; You can order it from Amazon and other websites.&nbsp; I've never had a problem with moths.&nbsp; Perhaps lavender works too, but I've never heard that it repels moths.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210634 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 20:43:31 +0000 carter 1210634@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Watching this thread...the moths had an&nbsp;all you can eat&nbsp;buffet here last year! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-ready-to-store-cashmere#post-1210630 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 20:38:55 +0000 Inge 1210630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like a good plan, Thistle. This year (first year ever I found a tiny moth hole in one of my favourite sweaters), I'm going for the overload-aka-better-better-be-safe-than-sorry-approach, and I am doing: cedar balls + lavendar satchels + a few bars of strong smelling soap (I bought lemon as I like that scent) + small satchels filled with cloves (I believe Joy mentioned in an older post that that keeps the moths away too). </p>