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How to get rid of clothes moth

6 replies

NCTDN · 29/12/2025 08:52

I’ve posted this on housekeeping but not sure how many will read it there. So please if you have any words on wisdom, I’d appreciate your advice. Thank you https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/housekeeping/5466916-think-a-clothes-moth-had-eaten-my-jumper-how-do-i-clean-my-wardrobe-without-infesting-the-rest-of-the-house?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

Think a clothes moth had eaten my jumper. How do I clean my wardrobe without infesting the rest of the house? | Mumsnet

So my merino top looks like it’s been eaten by moths. It’s now in the bin. Luckily I don’t have anything else in the wardrobe with natural fibres I do...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/housekeeping/5466916-think-a-clothes-moth-had-eaten-my-jumper-how-do-i-clean-my-wardrobe-without-infesting-the-rest-of-the-house?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

OP posts:
Nolongera · 29/12/2025 09:06

We had them, didn't realise, tweed in particular seems to attract them but they destroyed loads of other clothes nearby.

Bought some moth balls from Wilkinson's, never saw them again.
I thought moths on clothes were just something that happens in old films.

Imgoingtobefree · 29/12/2025 09:22

It’s a big problem these days. If you look online, you will find lots of info.

Im generally against strong chemicals but I went all in and bought strong stuff online, included pheromone traps.

I guess, if you don’t want to spread themfrom the wardrobe. Hoover inside first, take clothes out and immediately bin bag them. Hoover and spray inside of wardrobe.

Either put all clothes in the freezer for a few days (although I know most people don’t have room). Or debag them outside, shake, hoover, brush or wash where possible. Return to wardrobe. I then used to keep my wardrobe doors open (moths like the dark) and shake the clothes everytime I passed.

Theres always a chance they have already spread. So start moving furniture out and hoovering under, and behind the heavy stuff. Just up your hoovering over the next few weeks and put up the pheromone traps to monitor the situation.

NCTDN · 29/12/2025 12:59

Me too! I honestly thought they were an old fashioned thing.
Will the traps show if any are attracted?

OP posts:
TeaBiscuitsNaptime · 29/12/2025 13:03

You could try using scented washing powder/conditioner or a wardrobe air freshener of some kind. Most insects stay clear of scented things. Even if it's just for awhile until they're gone

ScholesPanda · 29/12/2025 13:12

I had them in my carpets. Luckily they didn't spread to anything else like throws or clothes. But they did spread to carpets in three different rooms and the numbers exploded over a short period of time.

Don't mess around or you'll regret it. Absolutely get the harsh chemicals and spray around the edges of all the carpets. Hoover mattresses. Move all furniture and hoover underneath. Chuck the hoover bags in the outside bin and clean the filters/inside of the hoover.

Empty the contents of the wardrobe into bin bags. Chuck any clothes that are unlikely to be worn again in the outside bin. Wrap clothes you want to keep and put them in a chest freezer if you have one, or normal freezer if they fit. If they're not delicate, put them on a 60 degree or hotter wash. If you have a clothes steamer, hot steam them- useful for delicates.

Any sign of infestation in an item- chuck it in the outside bin

Hoover the inside of the wardrobe, paying special attention to nooks and crannies. Put the hoover bag in the outside bin. Spray the inside of the wardrobe and let it air. Buy the chemical hangers on a quarterly cycle to keep them away in future- you can get sachets for the drawers and ottoman.

Check clothes stored elsewhere and bedding carefully for any signs of infestation.

In future consider bagging any fur/feather/wool clothing whilst stored.

Check online for other advice. I may sound harsh, but you really have to be ruthless or you'll never be rid of them.

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