How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths: 3 Expert Tips

How do you get rid of clothes moths? It is a common question that pops up this time of year when people are sifting through their belongings for spring cleaning. Clothes moths are not a fun surprise to come across in your organizing, but there are steps you can take to rectify the situation and prevent damage in the future. Keep an eye out for holes in clothing and fabrics that have been stored in a dark space. Follow All Pro Storage’s tips below on how to get rid of clothes moths and prevent them from finding their way into your storage unit.  

How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths (in Home Storage & Storage Units)

Identify the Problem

Do you actually have clothes moths? If you notice a moth in your home, do not worry right away. Many moths that might find their way into your home are after plants, not your clothing. Only two moth species are a threat to your clothes: the casemaking clothes moth and the webbing clothes moth—both a yellow or gray color, about 1 cm long. 

Next, look for holes. You will be able to identify a clothes moth by the web left behind on the material. The moths’ babies are actually the root of the problem, not the adult moths. They prefer dark, humid spaces and prefer to eat materials like wool, cashmere, and fur that come from animals. 

Clean Your Clothes & Space 

OK, so you’ve identified the clothes moths. Now what? 

For materials that unfortunately were damaged past the point of repair, you should throw them away. Materials with only slight damages can be salvaged with a wash using warm water or dry cleaning. Always check the tags on your clothes before attempting to wash them. 

You will also want to clean your storage space, whether that be a closet, attic, basement, or storage unit. Vacuum the area and immediately throw away the vacuum bag. If you are dealing with a carpeted space, it may also be worth it to steam clean the area for safe measures.  

Prevent Future Clothes Moths 

Now that you have gotten rid of the immediate issue, it is time to set up some precautions for the future. Pack your remaining clothing into sealed bins or bags. If you choose to use garment bags, tape up any potential hole spaces, like seams, for additional security and peace of mind. 

Another option is to move your storage space around frequently—reorganizing, swapping items in and out, etc. These moths dislike movement and light, so do your best to keep your storage unit from becoming a dark, moist environment. Visiting your storage unit often will give you the opportunity to open up your storage unit to allow for ventilation.  

All Pro Storage in Ohio Has Solutions for You

Are you a new mover looking for storage units in Canton, OH, this year? All Pro Storage is south of Cleveland and Akron—convenient to take on storage loads close to your new space. Choose from a variety of storage amenities, including heated storage units, convenient drive-up storage units and more. Additionally, for your security, all storage units are housed within a gated and fenced perimeter, with 24-hour security camera monitoring and secure keypad access. Feel secure storing your personal items at All Pro Storage in Ohio this year.

Call or email the store today, or stop by in person and ask team of storage experts any questions you might have! We provide plenty of opportunities to secure your storage space. You can also look through our different available storage units online from the comfort of your own device. See how easy it is to find storage with All Pro Storage.

Tim Glasow

About the Author: Tim is an SEO Strategist at Storage Asset Management in York, PA. He is a self-storage industry specialist who has written about everything from storage advice and helpful resources to industry trends. In his free time, Tim enjoys sampling craft beer and exploring the local music scene.