Damage and storage
Moths in clothing: how to recognise, prevent and deal with damage
The larvae feed on animal fibres such as wool, cashmere and silk. Here are the signs, the prevention and the steps that make sense for both minor and major infestations.
Published
It is the moth larvae, not the adult moths, that damage textiles. The larvae feed mainly on materials with animal fibres, and an infestation may have developed in the wardrobe for a long time before the damage becomes visible.
What are clothes moths?
Adult moths are small, light-shy insects that do not chew the fabric themselves. Their role is to lay eggs, and it is the larvae that cause the damage as they develop. The larvae can attack materials with animal fibres — including wool, cashmere, silk, fur and feathers — and they thrive where textiles are kept dark and undisturbed. This does not mean that every small hole is caused by moths; it is only one of several possible causes.
Signs to look for
Typical signs are irregular holes where parts of the weave are missing, and thread ends that look uneven or bitten off. Also look for larvae, webbing, small cases or fine granular material in wardrobes, drawers, folded stacks and along skirting boards. Clothes that have been kept dark and untouched for a long time are often where an infestation is first discovered.
Why is a moth infestation often discovered late?
Moth larvae chew the fibres from the inside and over time, so an infestation can progress a long way before it becomes visible. Fibres that have already been chewed through or weakened are held together only by the remaining threads, and the damage only becomes clear when the clothes are taken out, shaken or handled normally. The damage is already in the textile — it simply becomes visible when the clothes are used again.
How to prevent it
The Danish Environmental Protection Agency's advice on insects in the home points to a few simple habits: store clothes clean and dry, and pack clothes you rarely use in tightly sealed containers or packaging. Check that the clothes are free of moths before packing them away. Vacuum wardrobes, drawers, cracks and skirting boards thoroughly. Check wool and other animal fibres regularly, and wear and air the clothes regularly so they do not lie undisturbed for months.
In case of a minor infestation
Empty wardrobes and drawers so you can see how far the infestation extends. Clothes that can tolerate it can be washed at 50 degrees — but only when the care label and the textile allow that temperature. If the clothes cannot tolerate it, they can instead be frozen at minus 18 degrees for three to four days. Professional dry cleaning may be relevant for textiles and fur that cannot tolerate the necessary washing. Vacuum thoroughly after emptying, including cracks and along skirting boards.
In case of a major infestation
If the infestation is extensive or keeps coming back, you should use a product specifically approved by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency for the purpose and follow the instructions for use — or contact a professional pest controller. We treat textiles in our own production, but we do not combat infestations in the home.
Bring the clothes in for assessment
If you have found holes in woollen clothes or other textiles, you can bring them to Renseriet. We examine the textile and the care label and tell you what we can professionally see on the textile.