Storing Woolens Naturally

Storing woolens is part of the spring cleaning routine, but there's no need to use smelly naphthalene nor vacuum sealed bags that suffocate your clothes.

Woollens are best kept so that they breathe

The ideal way to store woollens is in a wooden 'Blanket Box' a timber box which in days gone by was kept at the foot of the bed. More commonly used is a wardrobe, these options are especially good if the box or wardrobe is made from Cedarwood or Camphorwood (insects hate the oils in these woods).
In the absence of these pieces of furniture, as is the case in modern homes, store your woollies in the top (or bottom) of your wardrobe, with a generous strewing of clothing protector sachets - use the drawer sachets in boxes and storage tubs.

In wardrobes hang clothing protectors at a rate of about 1 per door section of your wardrobe. Its wise to hang one on the hook of a wool suit or coat. Or you can slip a drawer sachet in the pocket of a favourite coat.

Storing in a Box

If you have a box to store your woollen items in, the box will help to keep the scents of the drawer sachets in and around the woollens. Think of the sort of box you might use as a gift box, or when you buy expensive lingerie or perhaps a wedding gown! You may need to line the box with acid-free tissue paper to ensure the cardboard doesn't contact the fabric if your items are delicate, just to ensure the cardboard doesn't colour the fabric. 

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Prepare Woollens for storage

Start by checking each item to make sure it has all it's buttons etc, mend any seams that are coming apart, and remove any pilling that may have happened with wear. You will want the woolens ready to wear when the first cold weather hits in autumn!
 

Washing Woollens

Choose a good wool wash, one with eucalyptus oil in it, to further deter all insect life. Delicate And Wool Wash 1L by Enviroclean is our recommendation.

Lavender is also a deterrent for insects, so if you use another wool wash or fabric softener such as Abode Wool Wash Zero 1L Sensitive, add Lavender oil to it or choose one that contains lavender oil. Note: it has to be actual lavender oil, look for 'lavender essential oil' in the ingredients list. A synthetic lavender fragrance just doesn't cut it in the insect world! 

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There are other Plant Oils that deter insects, what you choose will depend on which of the oils you like the smell of! Your clothes will carry the smell as you wear them, so its important to select a scent you like.

Hang a Lavender Posie in your Wardrobe

Extra Protection

Add lavender or Rosemary sprigs to stored woolens.

Dried posies or twigs of Lavender or Rosemary strewn throughout the shelves or drawers not only looks and smells good, it serves the added function of sending the insects away. Most insects dislike the natural oils in Lavender and Rosemary.

If you dont have any lavender or Rosemary growing in the garden, think about planting some to use next year!

Finally, if flowers are not your thing, Cloves are easy to use and readily available. Simply place a few cloves in the corners of your box or drawer, or in the pocket of your coat.