First of all, I have returned from a trek to New Orleans, where I have been reunited with the remainder of my stash. Normally, I would not store a stash, but I left the country. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. Somehow the yarn was fine, but I certainly learned my lesson about last-minute storage of wool rugs in cardboard boxes.
And I also learned my lesson about storing thrift-acquired wool coats from the Navy in plastic bags - though at least this is salvageable.
Has anyone else had this problem?
When I put these into storage over 2 years ago, I did not know that woolens should be stored in brown paper bags, according to somebody I spoke with in the past couple of months. Bugs, including moths, will eat through plastic (I wish I could show you the shredded bag that the coat was in) but they can’t eat through cellulose. This site also mentions cleaning as a method to warding off the moths and recommends storage in airtight containers, which is what saved the stash.
This site, however, recommends wrapping loosely in acid-free paper and storing in a box with airholes. Hmmm. It also debunks the myth of moths ‘eating’ wool - apparently the holes are caused by some liquid excreted by larvae. Ew. I prefer to envision ‘moth-eaten,’ thank you.
Upon further googling, there seems to be some conflict as to the best method of storage. Here is a summary.
- store in airtight container, bugs can’t get to them;
- do not store in airtight container, wool can’t breath and could rot;
- use mothballs but not directly on fabric;
- do not use mothballs, they are carcinogenic!
- store in clear plastic bags to increase light - moths like dark places;
- do not store in plastic bags - bugs can eat through them!
- use cedar chips or store in cedar containers, but sand it periodically to release the cedar goodness;
- the repellent properties of cedar are overstated and while a good cedar chest is helpful, bugs can still get in cracks.
You can see that it’s hard to know what to do.
Non-conflicting opinion(s):
- clean woolens before storing (I guess yarn doesn’t count);
- store in a cool, dry atmosphere;
- examine once a year;
- quarantine things that have been attacked by bugs.
[crap! I took the One-Sleeve Wonder out of the wool wash - this sweater should have been my first finished sweater way back when, but as you can see...it has problems. And now - I just noticed two moth holes! Here is one - right next to the sleeveless right armpit.]
And - some gratuitous kittie porn - what is happening here??
a) Artemis has swallowed Max’s head
b) During their extensive naps, their heads have morphed into one
c) My two cats have been replaced by a double-bodied demon
d) other?
