Warding off moths

30 May 2005 - Elizabeth from Wales wrote: Line draws with newspapers and place some in your wardrobes as moths dislike the smell of the printing ink. This was taught to me by my mother almost 40 years ago.

17 May 2005 - Shabnam from Nottingham wrote: I like bounce sheets. I put a bounce sheet in my wardrobe so every time when I open my wordrobe I have a wonderful fragance.

14 May 2005 - Margaret from London wrote: If you have an airing cupboard put bounce sheets in the cupboard with the cloths and they and the cupboard smell wonderfull all the time.

13 May 2005 - Vicky from Southampton wrote: It would work if you were all the same size, not quite the same as hitting the shops together though.

13 May 2005 - Jane from Essex wrote: My problem with this was I buy a lot of clothes and sometimes they don't even get worn let alone worn out however friends wear theirs to death the result exchanging a brand new top for a bobbly worn out one!

13 May 2005 - Tracie from Warrington wrote: I put all jumpers and woolys in a black bin bag under the bad at the back of the draw, that way there is no need for moth balls. I have not had any problems yet.

12 May 2005 - Ann from Northamptonshire wrote: Store woollen items, individually, in strong plastic bags. The type with a zip closure, are ideal. Alternatively, keep in tightly closed plastic storage boxes. If you do have an infestation, place the items into a sealed plastic bag. Place in the freezer and freeze rapidly. Leave in freezer for 72 hours. This kills the little darlings for you. PREVENTION is better than cure...

12 May 2005 - James from Oxford wrote: Fix a low rail in your wardrobe (B & Q etc sell 'kits') and hang your shoes on wire coat hangers with the ends bent up into a kind of hook. Then you can keep the bottom of the wardrobe dusted and some lavender crystals in a dish to fend of the bugs.

12 May 2005 - Ann from Telford wrote: I put any nice smelling bars of soap in the dressing table drawers and they make all the clothes smell nice.

12 May 2005 - Ann from Kent wrote: Be careful with lavendar - fresh lavendar contains oil which can stain pale coloured clothes. I use lavendar from last year which has been scenting my rooms in jugs.

11 May 2005 - Laura from Southampton wrote: Store shoes in boxes with sticky labels on the front so you know which ones are in there.

11 May 2005 - Susan wrote: Re the storage of jumpers over the summer months. Any kind of lavender, sachets, etc work well and smell good as well.

11 May 2005 - Hilary from Nottingham wrote: Does anyone have any ideas how to prevent fitted wardrobes from becoming damp and clothes getting musty and mould spots on them?

11 May 2005 - Nicky from Bradford wrote: I had read a tip once that using the small bits from a bar of soap,and wrapping them inside a hankerchief in your wardrobe, is suposed to deter moths. I haven't tried this personally, but it was recommended by someone so I supose worth a try. Good luck!

11 May 2005 - Nicola from Cwmbran-South Wales wrote: During the summer I put all my winter clothes in black bags then into a box and they are stored away. I once got told by my nan that if you burn vanilla essance moths will stay away. It must work as i never have any trouble.

11 May 2005 - Claudina from London wrote: Use Bounce sheets in the bag, and use the bags that you can suck the air out of to make them air tight.

11 May 2005 - Josephine from Edinburgh wrote: Dear Louise, in France where I come from we use dry lavender. It works very well to protect clothes from parasites and it leaves a great smell of holidays in the wardrobe.

11 May 2005 - Helen from USA wrote: If you put some sheets of newspaper between your woolies it will keep the moths away. Don't know why it works, but it really does.

11 May 2005 - Julie from Middlesborough wrote: Lavendar & cedarwood are good repelents. Pop some on a cotton cloth and hang near clothes.

11 May 2005 - Jacqui from South West Scotland wrote: Dried lavender - pick from the garden and dry slowly for 3 weeks in a warmish cupboard. Either use the complete sprigs or only the flowers in a cotton bag. Clothing smells fresh and I have no moth problems. Alternatively, some aromatherapy shops sell lavender sachets, or even cedar balls. Moths hate cedar, but it smells OK on clothes - no nasty niffs!

11 May 2005 - Margaret from Cardiff wrote: Use dried lavender flowers, put into little muslin bags or small envelopes.

11 May 2005 - Elaine from Connecticut wrote: Cedar blocks help to keep moths out of closets.

11 May 2005 - Jenny from Walsall wrote: To deter moths I use Lavender sachets and cedar wood balls both of which seem to work without having the smell of mothballs.

11 May 2005 - Claire from London wrote: Moths detest lavender bags and cedar hearts, so hang some from your hangers to keep them away and top up lavender bags regularly with lavender oil. Or have wardrobes made from cedar wood. Moths love plastic bags and will eat certain types so avoid them as they will also trap moisture and condensation making clothes mouldy unless keep completely dry. Moths also love dust so clean wardrobes as often as possible.

11 May 2005 - Samantha from Sheffield wrote: I recently read that by putting a tumble drying sheet in with your clothing - either being packed away or in your wardrobe, this will keep your clothes fresh smelling until you next wear them - not sure if they keep the moths away though!

11 May 2005 - Julie from Ilfracombe, Devon wrote: Save your old pieces of soap. This seems to deter the moths (though I have no idea why!!!)

11 May 2005 - Deborah from Cinderford wrote: I read somewhere that tea tree works well. I've used a couple of drops of pure tea tree oil on a little cushion with a loop to hang on the rail, and have had no trouble with moths. Clothes smell nice and fresh too! Hope this helps..

11 May 2005 - Denise from Liverpool wrote: I have found a lovely invention called Space bags. You fold your clothes inside and then vacum all the air out so that it is airtight. They are also great for all bedding even pillows and they cut down the amount of storage you need as everything shrinks down to about half the size.

11 May 2005 - Jo from Peterborough wrote: Epsom salts sprinkled around the jumpers will keep moths at bay and cause no damage to your woolies!

10 May 2005 - Mary Timms from Bromsgrove wrote: My mother always collected conkers in the autumn to put in her wardrobe and drawers to ward off the moths. And as far as I know it worked!!

09 May 2005 - Lynne from Basingstoke wrote: Something I discovered ages back that works well. A natural and more pleasant alternative is to make your own moth balls. Cut squares of fabric and stuff them with dried lavender flowers, scented with lavender and cedar essential oils (all of which are available at most health food stores). Lavender and cedar wood are natural and non-toxic scents that also repel moths. Then simply tie the fabric corners together. The natural moth balls work more effectively if you store the clothing you're trying to de-moth in a drawer or trunk rather than merely leaving them on a closet shelf. An air-tight container will also work well.

06 May 2005 - Wendy from Kent wrote: I've heard that lavender deters moths - hang lavender bunches or bags in your wardrobe.

25 April 2005 - Louise from Birmhingham wrote: All the jumpers I care about get zipped into bags and stored over the summer. However, when jumpers are being used and are left in the wardrobe, I am always fearful of a moth attack because I can't stand the strong smell that moth balls give off. I would welcome any 'old wives tales' that deter moths!!