How to get rid of clothes moths

2 min read · 8 steps · Updated 3 October 2026

The small pale moths you see flying do no damage themselves. The holes are eaten by their larvae, which live hidden in the fabric for weeks or months and feed on wool, silk, fur, feathers and leather, especially where there is sweat, food stains or pet hair. Getting rid of them means removing the larvae and eggs, not chasing the moths.

If you rent, report damp, mould or pests to your landlord in writing early. Some causes are faults in the building that you cannot fix yourself.

Step by step

1. Confirm it is clothes moths

   The common clothes moth is silvery gold and about as long as a grain of rice. It avoids light and scuttles more than it flies. Signs on fabric are small irregular holes, threadbare patches, silky webbing or little tubes the colour of the fabric, and rice-like cases.

   Done

2. Empty and sort

   Take everything out of the wardrobe or drawer. Check seams, collars and folds, and look at everything made of wool, silk, cashmere, fur and feathers. Throw away items that are badly eaten, in a sealed bag in the outside bin.

   Done

3. Wash hot

   Wash everything that can take it at 60 degrees Celsius. That kills eggs and larvae.

   Done

4. Freeze the delicate things

   Put knitwear and other items that cannot be washed hot into sealed plastic bags and freeze them at minus 18 degrees. Leave them for at least a week, or two to be safe, then let them come back to room temperature in the bag.

   Done

5. Vacuum thoroughly

   Vacuum the empty wardrobe, including corners, joints and shelf supports. Then vacuum the carpet along the skirting boards and under and behind furniture, with the crevice tool. Empty the vacuum or take out its bag straight away, seal it and put it in the outside bin.

   Done

6. Wipe the wardrobe

   Wipe all surfaces with a damp cloth and a little detergent, and let the wardrobe dry before putting clean clothes back.

   Done

7. Hang pheromone traps

   Sticky traps with a scent attract and catch the male moths. They do not end an infestation alone, but they show whether moths are still there and whether the numbers are falling. Replace them as the pack says.

   Done

8. Repeat after a few weeks

   Eggs that were missed hatch later. Check the traps and the clothes again after three to four weeks and repeat the washing and vacuuming if you find new signs.

   Done

Good to know

To prevent a return: only put clothes away clean, store wool and silk you do not wear for a season in airtight bags or boxes, shake out hanging clothes now and then, and vacuum carpets and under furniture regularly.

Cedar wood and lavender may put moths off but do not kill larvae. They are no substitute for cleaning.

Check second-hand clothes, rugs and upholstered furniture before bringing them in, and wash or freeze them first.

For a large infestation, especially in wool carpets, call a pest controller. In a rented flat, tell the landlord.

The moths in the kitchen that sit in flour and muesli are a different species, food moths, and need a different clear-out: of the cupboards.

In short: Empty the wardrobe, wash at 60 degrees, freeze delicates at minus 18, vacuum wardrobe and carpet edges, bin the vacuum bag, wipe down, hang pheromone traps, check again after a few weeks.