Storing wool clothes between events

[Abrams]

I have been searching diligently, and cannot seem to find this info anywhere:

How do you store your wool clothing between events?

My mother pointed out to me that being all wool, moths will love to eat holes and such into it. To prevent this, she has used mothballs and these big garbage bags with scented bags in them made for that.

However, I think arriving at an authentic event smelling like a mothball would be frowned upon. Same with smelling like a glade air freshner. So what do you-all do?

My first inclination is to fold and place the wool items in a plastic garbage bag with a couple hunks of cedar to discourage the moths, because cedar is not as potent or modern smelling as mothballs and sachet packs.

So what do you all do with your woollens between events?

Thanks

[Jim Mayo]

Re: Storing wool clothes between events

After airing out my uniform, I just hang it in the closet or throw it on the closet shelf. I have never had a moth problem and been doing it this way since 1981. If you see moths in your house it may be best to put the items in a cedar chest or bag it like you said. Also if you hang your trousers on a hanger you will show up at the event with creases in your trouser legs. That can be more serious than a few moth holes depending on how many of your mates notice the creases.

[gilham]

Re: Storing wool clothes between events

I don't know if this relay relevant to the discussion or not. Last year I unrolled a bedroll of mine that had been rolled up tight for about 5 years. When I unrolled it my blanket was thread bare where ever there was a fold in the blanket. I asked my mother about this and she said it was Do to stress on the yarns. It was a wool blanket.
About the uniforms. I have all of my jackets,coats and drawers hung on hangers in my garage. My trousers are loosely folded and sitting on a shelf in the garage. I have never had a problem storing them in this manner.
If your garage is damp or musty I would not recommend this method. As the material can mold or absorb any odors.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Storing wool clothes between events

Hallo!

I hang them on clothes hangers on a basement rack near a light that is on, 24/7 (moths like secretive dark places.)
It has worked well for me for decades...

Curt

(My worst and only moth problem was when I bought a greatcoat from a well known vendor that had been infested with moth eggs. I made the mistake of bring it home and storing it in a dark windowless basement room in the same closed paper bag it came in. A few months later, when I went to use it, I opened the bag and the clothes moths scurried and flittered from the light.
The larvae had eaten about 60-70% of the bottom four inches of the coat, and several long runs on each sleeve near the shoulders.)

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Storing wool clothes between events

I store everything in sealable plastic tubs......

I have 3 plastic tubs that I use for all of my wool/clothing and equipment.

1st tub: Wool blankets, rubber blankets, oil cloths, tents and other miscellaneous items.

2nd tub: All equipment and shoes.

3rd tub: Uniforms

You can usually find these tubs at places like Target, Wallmart, or hardware stores. I guess the only problem is depending on tub size, they take up a lot of room. I've got all three stacked up in closet, and they take up most of that space. The good news is, moths or any other creatures cannot get into the tubs.

Good luck.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: Storing wool clothes between events

The good news is, moths or any other creatures cannot get into the tubs.

That's assuming that the clothes/items aren't already contaminated and that your tubs basically act as a vacuum/positive pressure.

I've known people to use the plastic/rubber tubs and still have moth problems over the years...this might be due to human error on their part, but who knows....

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Storing wool clothes between events

That's assuming that the clothes/items aren't already contaminated and that your tubs basically act as a vacuum/positive pressure.

I've known people to use the plastic/rubber tubs and still have moth problems over the years...this might be due to human error on their part, but who knows....

Very true..... I like to think, once I close the tubs nothing else can get in, but I guess you never know what can happen.

I have a friend who stored his uniforms in a lockable wooden chest, and when he went to open it one day, he found a dead mouse that's been eating at his sack coat.

[cprljohnivey]

Re: Storing wool clothes between events

Moths don't like cedar. A cheep but effective method is to go to the pet store and buy cedar shavings and put them in a small net/mesh laundry bag. Hang the bag in your closet next to your uniforms. Change the shavings once/twice a year.

[rbrewer]

Re: Storing wool clothes between events

I second the cedar idea, my wife bought me 2 large garment bags ( cotton bags)- ( in the MD area from the " Container Store"- mods please delete if needed) these are usually used for storing suits etc, they have hangers (which I hang from my basement ceiling) can be zipped shut, same store supplied approx 4" X 12" cedar strips which I drilled a hole in and hang in the garment bags along side my clothing. Total cost about 60 $.
LINK:

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=13167436&itemIndex=4&CATID=150&PRODID=59802

Thanks
Bob Brewer
Gaithersburg,MD

[Poor Private]

Re: Storing wool clothes between events

I second the garage/workshop idea. I and my son have stored ours out there for years and have had no problem. Of course being in western Michigan and high temps in the teens to 20's may have something to do with it. I store all clothing in color matched garment bags. Blankets and tents are stored in wooded boxes raised off of the floor.

[tenfed1861]

Re: Storing wool clothes between events

If you do hang your trousers up,don't hang them up all perfect.Just take them off and throw them on the hanger.And when you do hang clothes up,remember to use either wooden hanger,wide shoulder hangers,or padded hangers.Regular plastic hangers are ok for shirts and such.But when it comes to coats,don't use those as it will give a crease in it.
Hope this is able to help you alittle.

[RudyN]

Re: Storing wool clothes between events

After I get home, I air out the clothes for a day or two then they go in the closet on hangers in my den where I have moth repellant in a container and they stay there until the next event. I change the moth repellant about every six months. So far so good.

[dedogtent]

Re: Storing wool clothes between events

After a airing out on a nice sunny windy day, I have always stored my wool and shirts out in the garage. I have a nice double garage attached to the house and I have them hanging on hooks on a side wall. They can smell all they want to out there and I have never had a bug problem.

[Pvt.Tyler]

Re: Storing wool clothes between events

I put my uniform and equipment on shelves. I don't fold them fancy I just throw thme on it.

[Parault]

Re: Storing wool clothes between events

I have cedar closet linning board in my CW shop, where I store my attire. I treat the wall board twice yearly and I have not had problems up to this point. I use wooden hangers for my pants,and padded hangers for my coats, and jackets. Hats go on a shelf. Blankets are stored along with my tentage upstairs. Leather is placed in a dry area with plenty of circulation. I pretty much keep all of my hobby related items out in my shop with the exception of my weapons. They stay located in my home, placed in a weapons storage safe, under lock and key.