Winter woollen storage checklist

Winter woollen storage checklist

Woollens are damaged in storage, not in wear. Clothes moths and carpet beetles are drawn to body oils and food residue left in fibre, so what matters most is that everything goes into storage genuinely clean and stays dry.

• Clean every item before storage — even a garment worn once
• Air woollens fully in shade before packing; sunlight yellows white wool
• Fold knitwear rather than hanging it to avoid shoulder distortion
• Store in breathable cotton bags, not sealed plastic covers
• Add cedar or neem rather than naphthalene in enclosed trunks
• Keep storage boxes off the floor and away from damp walls
• Check for moth casings and small holes before and after storage
• De-pill knitwear at the end of the season, not the start
• Note anything needing professional cleaning and send it before storing