How to Keep Moths Away From the Closet Naturally

clothes closet

Moths are a pesky problem and can ruin your favorite clothes and accessories. 

They’ll eat right through the fabric, so keeping them away is important. 

You may not be able to get rid of moths completely, but there are some simple ways to keep them at bay. 

Here are some things you can try.

Keep Your Closet Clean and Clutter-free.

Having a clean and clutter-free closet will help prevent the presence of moths.

Clutter is a magnet for moths, as they can find plenty of places to hide in your clothes or bedding. 

If you have any clothing that has been damaged by moths or if you see any holes in your clothes, then it is likely that some moths are living in your closet.

Moth larvae also eat through fabric and carpeting, so keeping your clothes stored properly will keep them safer from moth damage too.

Vacuum the Closet to Remove Any Moth Eggs or Larvae

Follow these steps when vacuuming your closet:

  1. Remove all clothing and accessories from the closet. 
  2. Vacuum the closet to remove any remaining moth eggs or larvae.
  3. Vacuum in the corners and under furniture.
  4. Vacuum the rug and carpeting in your closet as well as other soft furnishings that can’t be washed.
  5. Clean the vacuum filter after vacuuming.

Place Cedar Chips in a Jar, Then Poke Holes in the Lid

If you don’t have cedar chips, you can make your own by chopping up a piece of cedar wood and letting it dry. 

Then, when it’s completely dried out, crumble it into tiny pieces. The crumbled wood will release its natural oils and help keep moths away from your clothes.

To use the jar method:

  1. Fill a small glass jar with the crumbled wood pieces (about 3 tablespoons).
  2. Poke holes in the lid with a nail or screwdriver so that air can circulate inside after you put on the lid.
  3. Place this jar near where you store your sweaters or wool blankets; ideally near their storage boxes but not directly on top of them.

Fill Jars with Cloves and Place Them in the Corners of Your Closet

Cloves are a natural moth repellent. They are an insecticide and a pesticide, plus they’re great at repelling moths and insects too.

Cloves work by giving off an odor that is offensive to moths, so they stay away from the closet and don’t bother your clothes when you’re not wearing them. 

You can use whole cloves or sprinkle crushed ones into a jar to place inside your closet or put some in a thin cloth to hang on a clothes hanger.

Set Out Tea Tree Oil in a Small Bowl or Container to Repel Moths

Tea tree oil is a natural moth repellent that is an effective deterrent. 

It can be used in many ways to keep moths at bay, including hanging up small bowls of it in drawers and closets. 

The best way to do this is to put a few drops of tea tree oil on a cotton ball or swab and place it inside the drawer or closet.

However, if you don’t have any cotton balls available, you can simply put the tea tree oil in a small bowl or dish and place it on the floor of your closet or drawer space.

If you want something prettier than using just plain tea tree oil, consider sprinkling some dried lavender sprigs around your closet or drawers as well. 

This will add a lovely floral scent while keeping moths at bay!

Place Some Dried Bay Leaves in a Bowl and Place Them in Your Closet

Grab some bay leaves, toss them in a bowl, and put them in your closet. 

The smell of bay leaves is repulsive to moths, so it’s an easy way to keep them away from your clothing. 

Plus, the fragrance isn’t at all unpleasant—if anything, it smells like a warm summer day on the beach.

Bay leaves are easy to find in most grocery stores and are relatively inexpensive compared with moth balls or cedar blocks.

Hang a Lavender Sachet in Your Closet to Protect Against Moths Naturally

To keep moths away from your clothes and linens, hang a lavender sachet in your closet.

You can make a lavender sachet by filling sachets with dried lavender and hanging it up inside your closet.

You can also use cotton balls dipped in lavender oil and hang that up.

Conclusion:

I hope this article has given you ideas on how to keep moths away from your closet. 

The best thing is that they’re all easy to do and won’t cost you much. 

Just remember: keeping things clean and clutter-free will help keep moths out of your closet. Start with that.

If you enjoyed reading this article and would like more DIY tips, read my article on How to Get Old Clothes Smelling Fresh Naturally.

Thank you for dropping by my blog.

-Baking Soda Guy 

Photo by RF._.studio from Pexels