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Treating and protecting clothing - keeping them moth free!

Treating and protecting clothing - keeping them moth free!

Keratin is the clothes moths’ (Tineola Bisselliella) primary food source, this can be found in a range of places but most worrying to homeowners is the fact many items of clothing, carpets, rugs and furs contain it. Subsequently this had led to infestations arising within many homes across the UK and beyond, much to the home owner’s distress. Clothing made from wool, cashmere and silk are the most common garments that harbour moths, larvae and eggs.

 

Caring for Cashmere

Cashmere wool products come from the cashmere or pashmina goat and it’s the fine undercoat fibres where the cashmere is derived from. If any signs of a clothes moth infestation arise on cashmere garments the first port of call should be to wash the garments. Friction can cause the material to pill which can lead to adverse effects to the garment if washed, before washing any cashmere products it is advisable to de-pill. This can be done with a de-pilling comb. When treating stains in cashmere it is imperative to treat stains first and pre-soak for the most effective removal. Cashmere knitwear can be dry cleaned or hand washed and some can be washed using the delicate or woollens cycle on your washing machine. It is advisable to turn any cashmere garments inside out as this prevents abrasion during the washing process which can lead to further piling and lengthens the life of colour dyes. Generally, hand-washing is the preferred method of washing cashmere and it is wise to use a specialist, mild detergent. When you’re handwashing cashmere submerge the item fully and agitate the water and detergent with your hands. Following on from this, squeeze the detergent through the garment then rinse through with lukewarm water to remove any detergents still present. It may take more than rinse to remove all the detergents and laundry liquids. Following the washing process the garment should be smoothed back into its original shape and laid flat on a towel away from any direct sunlight. This process can be sped up by rolling the clothing in the towel which will help draw the water out of the cashmere. It should not be dried using a tumble dryer, heat from the tumble dryer can damage the delicate cashmere fibres.

 

Caring for Silk

Silk comes from the cocoon of the silkworm which is the larvae of the silk moth. They have been domesticated in Northern India, China, Japan and Korea. Before washing silk it is advisable to check any manufacturer’s care label to ascertain whether these garments are suitable for handwashing, dry-cleaning or machine washing. Generally silk clothes should be hand washed in lukewarm water using a mild detergent, non-alkaline soap or specialist cleaning product for silk. Pre-wash soaking or any bleach based products should never be used when treating silk and it’s a good idea to wash each silk garment separately and keep the temperature constant. Once several washes have been completed any excess dyes ‘bleeding’ in the washing process should stop, also avoid soaking for more than a few minutes and to revive any faded colours just add a small amount of white vinegar to the first stage of rinsing. It may take more than one rinse to remove any traces of the detergent and to dry the garment, lay on a flat towel and roll up the towel and press to remove any excess water. Following on from this, hang the garment on a padded coat hanger to avoid any stains being transferred or the garment being miss-shaped. It is also wise to avoid direct heat or sunlight to prevent any dis-colouring occurring. Silk garments should never be put in the tumble dryer, it should be dried as slowly using a towel and pressing. Dry cleaning is what most people would do when considering washing silk garments, however, it is always advisable to ensure the drycleaner knows how to handle and wash silk clothing. The solvents that dry cleaners use will kill any moth eggs and larvae that could be present.

 

Caring for wool

Wool is the fibre provided by sheep and a selection of other animals. Most woollen garments need to be hand washed but always check your care label as to whether it is dry clean only. Use a specialist woollen laundry liquid or a mild detergent and agitate the detergent and ensure the item is thoroughly exposed to the solution through gently squeezing it through the washing stage. If the care label on your woollen garments clearly states you can wash it in the washing machine, then only wash these garments in the washing machine. Some woollen clothing has fibres coated in the resin that prevents them from becoming interwoven more tightly in the washing process (which would result in a loss of softness in the garment). Always use mild detergent and the delicate programme on your washing machine for woollen clothing and try to avoid detergents that are described as biological or contain brightening agents. The temperature for washing wool should be 30 or 40 degrees and the spin cycle should be slow and short. Heat can easily damage wool fibres so do not use a tumble dryer, allow wool garments to dry naturally in a warm room or outside on a sunny day.

 

Storage and Clothes Moth protection for delicate garments

Delicate garments should be stored clean, this is important as the larvae of clothes moths feed on a form of protein in animal and human hair and skin. They are attracted to residue from perspiration and food stains, which also provides the moisture which is essential for them to survive. Hanging cashmere and other delicate items of clothing can lead to the garments losing shape, it is recommended to store such garments in moth-proof garment bags. When storing clothing for long periods of time, shaking the garments periodically will prevent any moth eggs and larvae from settling on the clothes. The use of Pest Expert Moth Killer Cassettes and Strips in the wardrobe and drawers will help to keep garments safe from clothes moth damage. Both products fill an enclosed space, such as a wardrobe, with Transfluthrin which kills adult moths, eggs and larvae. Using the measures outlined in this article will help to protect clothing and keep them moth free.