The cozy season is upon us. It’s finally that time of year to toss your sandals to the back of the closet – it’s sweater-weather. Whether you’re sporting a wool cardigan or relaxing on the couch in a snug, chunky sweater, there’s a level of maintenance that’s required of sweater wearers. 92 million tons of textile waste is produced every year, which includes sweaters that have been ruined.
Sweaters can be temperamental when thrown in the wash given their sensitive material. They also require specific means of storage and extra protection from bugs. Don’t fret. Wondercide has your back. We’re here to help you keep your sweaters in tip-top shape so you can spend the seasons the way it was meant to be: cozy.
Why is cleaning your sweaters so important?
Sweaters are very sensitive to many kinds of cleaning, which often deters people from washing them. However, a dirty sweater, even when it’s worn once, is like candy for an eager moth. These sweater-loving insects are more likely to chomp at your wardrobe when there are stains, sweat, body oils, and the scent of humans on your clothes. While the natural fibers in your sweaters are enticing enough for these winged pests, moths are more likely to chomp on ones with food particles or sweat because this contains additional nutrients for larvae. Moths love the presence of organic matter in a sweater.
How should you clean your sweaters?
For most households, laundry is a non-stop chore. Sweater-cleaning is in a league of its own. So, how can you clean your sweaters so the moths keep their distance without damaging the fabric? The first step is to check the label on your sweater to see what the brand suggests. If the label reveals that the sweater is machine-friendly, wash the sweaters in a cold and delicate cycle using a mesh laundry bag. Try to refrain from using fabric softener as that has been known to break down the fibers in a sweater over time.
If you’re unsure about what type of wash your sweater requires, it’s important to avoid using a washing machine to protect the sweater from shrinking in the chance that it’s not machine washable. The most reliable way to clean a sweater is by hand. Use cold water and non-bio detergent, and rinse thoroughly in a sink or tub. When drying, be sure to not over-wring the sweaters or hang them up. It’s best to lay out a towel on a flat surface and let the sweater rest there until fully dry. An insider trick for sweater washing is to include some hair conditioner during the wash to add an extra layer of softness to the fabric.
When looking for a sustainable dry cleaning option, choose a dry cleaner that specifically offers organic dry cleaning or “green dry cleaning” services. These facilities often use eco-friendly methods like wet cleaning, which relies on water and biodegradable detergents, or CO2 cleaning, which uses liquid carbon dioxide without harmful chemicals. Look for cleaners that are certified by eco-friendly organizations and avoid traditional chemical solvents like perchloroethylene (perc). Organic dry cleaners might be a bit more expensive, but it’s worth it.
How should you store your sweaters?
Sweater storage is a meticulous chore. Closets only have so much space, which can sometimes limit the choices you have when it comes to storing your clothes. However, it might be in your best interest to prioritize your sweaters due to their sensitivity. It’s best to fold sweaters rather than hang them up to avoid stretching them out and losing their shape. Protecting the shape of your sweaters is important because the fabric is not meant to stretch or change.
And when sweater season has come to an end, you can wash them by hand, let them dry, iron them, and then fold them before letting them hibernate during the spring and summer in a box. It’s a good idea to keep your sweaters stored away in a breathable storage bag so no moisture or sneaky insects like moths can find their way in. This is a good method for year-round sweater storage, not just at the end of the season.
Why should you protect your sweaters from moths?
Despite your sweaters being inanimate objects, they do have natural predators. Even hidden in your home, your sweaters are in danger of having little holes eaten out of them or completely ruined by evil, winged creatures. Moths are the silent villains of our winter wardrobe. While the problem may seem silly, moths average about $1 billion in economic losses each year. The manufacturing industry has faced severe damage by moths due to their desire to chomp on all the products.
Clothes moths have a fixed menu of animal fibers such as wool, silk, fur, feathers, felt, and leather. Believe it or not, these fibers contain a protein, which is an important part of a moth’s diet. The protein is called keratin and is often found in the wild in bird and mammal carcasses. But when a moth sneaks into your home, it knows where keratin can be found: your sweaters.
Adult clothes moths come in two forms; case-making clothes moths and webbing clothes moths. As larvae, the case-making moth spins a case of silk that it’s taken from the food source- maybe a sweater or item of clothing in your home. The webbing clothes moth spins silk into tubes and creates tunnels in whatever it’s found to chew through. You can find both of these moths all over the United States, typically the Northeast. However the webbing clothes moth is commonly found in the south, as its other name is the “southern moth”.
How can you protect your sweaters from moths?
Luckily, Wondercide can help you on your quest to protect your sweaters. Aside from regularly cleaning your sweaters, Wondercide’s Flying Insect Trap allows you to catch these destructive creatures without lifting a finger. The Flying Insect Trap is equipped with a Blu-V™ light that lures in flying insects such as moths, fruit flies, mosquitos, and gnats and then captures them in a sticky adhesive cartridge. Without producing any unpleasant noises or odors, this handy device will take care of the bug situation for you and protect your beloved sweaters. Set it up in any or every room in your home, plug it in, and let the trap go to work.
In addition to the Flying Insect Trap, Wondercide’s Indoor Pest Control for the Home and Kitchen has the power to kill moths and save your sweaters. Bob Vila even featured his favorite spray is Cedarwood to kill and repel moths. Shake well before using then simply spray the moth from 8-12 inches away until it dies. Wondercide’s products are cruelty-free, made with natural essential oils, and safe around pets and people when used as directed. With our help, you’ll have a solid method of defense against unwanted critters eating your clothes.
To figure out if you have a moth problem, routinely check for little holes that you don’t remember ripping in your sweaters. The holes will be irregular in shape and often have jagged edges. Try using a magnifying glass to see if you catch any of the little larvae crawling around on your sweaters. You can identify moth larvae by their white exterior and their size of about half an inch. These pesky critters are often found crawling restlessly on fabrics, sometimes clothes, sometimes furniture.
If the moths have reached their adult stages, you’ll be able to identify a clothes moth by its appearance. A case-making moth has grayish yellow forewings that span about half an inch and have little dark spots on the outer parts. Its other wings, the hindwings, are whiter and silky. A webbing moth is a similar size to the case-making but is a paler color and without spots.
Don’t let moths interrupt your mission of having the coziest season possible. Take the careful steps to preserve those knitted treasures. Kick back by the fire with a warm cup of apple cider in your favorite holiday sweater all season long with our simple steps. You’ll be able to keep recycling your winter wardrobe for years to come with our help and your new-found sweater expertise.
