Storing clothes, moths and seasonal swaps

Student rooms are small, and clothes stored badly can crease, go musty or get eaten by moths. A simple system keeps your wardrobe in good shape and makes room for each season.

Know the enemy: clothes moths

• English Heritage, which looks after historic collections in England, names the webbing clothes moth as now the most common species in the UK.
• It is the larvae, not the adult moths, that damage clothes, and they are harder to kill than adults.
• The larvae eat wool, fur, feathers and untanned skins, and English Heritage names cashmere as a favourite.
• English Heritage says textiles soiled with food or urine are preferentially attacked, so dirty clothes are at greatest risk.
• They like dark, undisturbed places: collars, armpits, pockets, folds and the backs of wardrobes.

Prevention habits

• Clean clothes before storing them, as English Heritage advises.
• Vacuum the bottom of your wardrobe and shelves, using a nozzle for the edges.
• Shake out hanging clothes and check drawers at least once a month if you can.
• Store items you rarely wear in boxes with tight-fitting lids or in vacuum-sealed bags, which English Heritage says protect against pests, damp and dust.
• Give away or recycle wool and other natural-fibre items you no longer use, rather than leaving them to sit undisturbed.

If you find moths

• Look for small holes, silky webbing or tiny cases in folds and seams.
• Separate affected items, wash them if the care label allows, and vacuum the wardrobe thoroughly.
• English Heritage's freezing method: seal items in plastic bags and freeze at minus 18°C for at least two weeks, then leave them in the bag for at least 24 hours after removing them to avoid condensation.
• Empty the vacuum outside into a sealed bag and put it in an outdoor bin, as English Heritage advises.
• In rented housing, tell your landlord or accommodation office if the problem is in carpets or furniture.

Hanging versus folding

• Fold knitwear and jumpers rather than hanging them, so they do not stretch. The University of Essex sustainability guide suggests folding where possible.
• Hang shirts, smart trousers, dresses, abayas, kanduras and coats on suitable hangers.
• Leave a little space between hanging clothes so air can circulate and they do not crease.
• Keep clothes dry: never put away damp clothes, as they can go musty.

The seasonal swap

• Twice a year, move out-of-season clothes into storage and bring the next season's clothes forward.
• Wash or clean everything before storing, and check for loose buttons or small repairs.
• Label boxes or bags with what is inside so you can find things quickly.
• Use the swap to declutter: WRAP found about 30% of clothing in the average UK wardrobe had not been worn for a year.