You won't see clothes moths flying around like pantry moths. They quietly crawl into your dark wardrobe and lay their eggs on your soft natural fibres. Then the larvae hatch and silently chew through your best stuff before you ever see them!
So it isn't going to work to chase moths with a vacuum, you'll have to interrupt their life cycle. And as we lay out here, that means: Freezing. Cleaning. Disturbing. Then protecting.
No toxic naphthalene. No plastic beads. No nasty moth ball smell. And clothes that last longer than one winter!
What clothes moths are really after
Clothes moth larvae love a protein called keratin that's found in:
Natural fibres like wool, silk, cotton, linen
Human or animal sweat, skin cells, food – even tiny traces
And they love dark, undisturbed spaces where no one looks for months.
Fun facts about keratin and why moths love it
Keratin is the protein that is the structural building block of hair, wool, feathers, fur, nails, horns, and skin in animals. It’s rich in amino acids – and it’s the main thing clothes moth larvae eat.
You’ll find keratin in:
- Wool jumpers, suits, scarves
- Felt hats, woollen slippers
- Silk dresses, blouses, ties
- Cashmere, alpaca, mohair
- Feather/down jackets or cushions
- Even pet hair left on clothes
🟡 No keratin = no interest.
That’s why synthetic fibres are safe, unless they’re dirty. Even cotton or blends can be targeted if there’s food, sweat, or skin cells on them.
So, here's our smart tactics to stop clothes moths. How many are you doing?
1. Freeze your clothes
The most effective way to stop clothes moths is simple and chemical free: kill their eggs and larvae with freezing temperatures.
- Seal items in a zip-lock bag (or vacuum pack)
- Freeze for 72 hours
- Leave the sealed bag at room temperature for a few hours before opening— his prevents condensation forming on the clothes as they warm up.
Freezing is best when:
- You’ve discovered an infestation and want to kill hidden eggs or larvae ASAP
- You’re about to store seasonal clothes (e.g. wool, silk, or cashmere) for months
- You’ve bought secondhand or vintage clothes and want to make sure they’re pest-free before putting them away
- You live in a warm or humid area where moths are more active all year round
- The fabric is not safe to hot wash or dry clean
2. Clean before you store
Larvae don’t just eat fabric—they feed on what's on the fabric.
- Wash everything before storing, even if it “seems clean”
- Remove pilling, hair, and lint with a fabric comb
- Avoid putting worn or damp clothes back in the wardrobe
3. Disrupt their quiet zones
Moths thrive on stillness. Storage boxes, bottom drawer, jam packed winter coats.
Break their comfort zone:
- Open your wardrobe doors for a full day now and then
- Shake out rarely worn items
- Vacuum the floor, corners, and inside drawers
4. Store smarter
Cardboard boxes are too chewable; plastic shopping bags are too thin and flimsy; and cheap storage tubs without a tight seal trap humidity but still let moths in.
Best options:
- Zip-up tightly woven cloth storage bags - clean canvas or organic cotton with a tight weave, zip so moths can't squeeze in
- Airtight lidded plastic containers
- Add moisture absorbing pouches to manage moisture
Of course, you must make sure that before clothes go into the airtight containers that they are fully clean and dry.
5. Protect with natural deterrents that work
Here’s where red cedar and Huon pine do their best work:
once the space is clean, dry, and under control.
- Red cedar blocks naturally deter adult moths from settling in
- Linii Huon Pine is an Australian-native powerhouse with a subtle, fresh scent
- Refresh cedar blocks by lightly sanding or adding a drop of red cedar oil
Tip: place blocks in every drawer, shelf, and hanging section—not just one corner.
Natural timber oils interrupt the moths' instinct to breed in that space.
Your checklist to stop moths in their tracks
- ✅ Freeze natural-fibre items for 72 hours
- ✅ Clean every garment before storing
- ✅ De-pill woollens and remove lint
- ✅ Use smart storage, not cardboard or soft plastic
- ✅ Add red cedar and Huon pine once the space is reset
- ✅ Disturb the stillness every month
- ✅ Keep humidity down
Recommended moth protection tools from Biome
Linii Huon Pine Bags – beautifully subtle, Australian-made
Red Cedar Blocks – classic, potent, sustainable
The Original Fabric Comb – make your knits smooth and unappetising to moths
Bug off Moths and Bug Off Silverfish essential oil blends
Related reads
The truth about toxic moth balls
What's the difference between silverfish and moths?
How to get rid of and prevent clothes moths
Help! I found moth eaten holes in my wool carpet. What can I do?
