How to Pack Away Your Knitwear This Spring (Without Losing It to Moths)

As the weather warms up, it's time to pack away the woollens. This is also exactly when moth damage sneaks up on people. Clothes moth activity in Australia ramps up through October and November, and their larvae feed on the natural fibres in wool, cashmere and silk while your favourite jumper sits untouched in a drawer for months. A little care now saves a much bigger repair, or loss, later.

Step 1: Clean before you store

Never pack away knitwear unwashed. Body oils, sweat and even faint food stains are exactly what attracts moths, so a clean garment is far less appealing to them than a worn one. Hand-wash with a gentle wool or cashmere detergent in cool water, then lay flat on a towel to dry and reshape. Skip the dry cleaner only if you're confident hand-washing won't damage the piece; otherwise, professional cleaning is worth it before a long stint in storage.

Step 2: Check for holes and weak spots before it goes away, not after

This is the step people skip, and it's the one that matters most. Before folding anything away:

Hold each piece up to the light and look for small holes, especially around the underarms, elbows, and cuffs

Run your hand over the fabric. A patch that feels thin or looser than the rest is often the start of damage

Look for a slightly "fuzzy" or eaten texture, which is often the first visible sign before an actual hole appears

If you catch it now, it's a small, quick repair. If it goes into storage undetected, moths are drawn to areas that are already weakened, and three months later you'll be unpacking a much bigger hole, sometimes one that's spread to a spot where reweaving is no longer straightforward.

Step 3: Store it properly

Fold, don't hang. Hanging stretches wool and cashmere out of shape over time

Use breathable cotton, linen or calico storage bags rather than sealed plastic, which traps moisture and can cause musty smells (airtight containers are fine only once you're certain the garment is completely clean and pest-free)

Slip tissue paper between folds to reduce creasing

Store in a cool, dark, dry spot, away from direct sunlight and heating vents

Add a natural deterrent such as cedar blocks, lavender sachets, dried bay leaves or whole peppercorns. These repel moths, but note they won't kill an existing infestation

Check every couple of months if you can. A quick shake-out and re-fold keeps things aired and gives you another chance to catch anything early

Already found a hole, or suspect moths got there first?

If you spot moth eggs or larvae on a garment, freezing it at around -8°C for 48 hours will kill them before you store it. And if you've found an actual hole, that's what we're here for. Invisible mending reweaves the damage so thoroughly you won't be able to tell it was ever there. Post it to us before you pack the rest of your winter wardrobe away, and it'll come back out next winter as if nothing ever happened.