How To · Fashion · Build
Store Wool and Cashmere the Right Way This Winter
Quality wool and cashmere deserve better than a crumpled heap in your closet. These five steps will keep your cold-weather staples in rotation without damage.
5 min read · IrisWool and cashmere are investments. A quality merino sweater or cashmere crewneck can last decades—but only if you store it correctly. The enemy isn't time; it's moisture, heat, light, and moths. Most damage happens during off-season storage, when pieces sit idle in the back of your closet.
The good news: proper storage is straightforward and costs almost nothing. You need clean garments, the right containers, and a few natural deterrents. Follow these steps before you pack away your winter layers, and you'll open your closet next November to find everything exactly as you left it.
Moths don't attack dirty clothes—they attack the protein in wool and cashmere. Clean everything before storage.
Step one · 2 minutes
Clean every piece before storage
Wash or professionally clean all wool and cashmere before putting it away. Moths are attracted to body oils, food residue, and sweat—not the fiber itself. Hand-wash delicates in cool water with a wool-specific detergent, or use your machine's delicate cycle. Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear. For expensive pieces or heavily soiled items, professional dry cleaning is worth the cost. Never store dirty garments.
Air-dry flat on a clean towel. Never use a dryer—heat shrinks wool and cashmere permanently.
Step two · 3 minutes
Fold, don't hang
Hanging wool and cashmere stretches the fibers and creates permanent shoulder bumps. Fold each piece neatly into thirds or quarters, depending on size. Lay it flat on a clean surface first to check for wrinkles, then fold with intention. Oversized sweaters and cardigans should be folded into rectangles roughly 12 by 16 inches. Smaller pieces like crewnecks can be tighter. The goal is compact storage without creasing.
Fold along existing seams when possible. This creates natural crease lines that won't damage the fibers.
Step three · 2 minutes
Use cedar or lavender as moth deterrent
Mothballs work, but they smell terrible and leave chemical residue on fabric. Cedar blocks and lavender sachets are natural, effective alternatives. Place one cedar block or lavender sachet for every 2–3 folded garments. Cedar loses potency over time—replace blocks annually or sand them lightly with fine-grit sandpaper to reactivate the scent. Lavender sachets last about six months. Both methods repel moths without toxins.
Don't wrap garments directly in cedar—it can stain. Place blocks or sachets on top or beside folded pieces.
Step four · 3 minutes
Pack into breathable containers
Plastic bins trap moisture and encourage mildew. Use cotton storage bags, acid-free boxes, or cardboard containers instead. If you use plastic, drill small holes in the sides for air circulation, or leave the lid slightly ajar. Label each container with contents and the date. Stack containers in a cool, dark closet away from direct sunlight. Avoid basements (moisture) and attics (temperature fluctuations).
Tissue paper between folded layers prevents creasing and adds an extra barrier against dust.
Step five · 2 minutes
Check and rotate every 4–6 weeks
Even in storage, garments benefit from air exposure. Every month or two, open your storage container and let pieces breathe. This prevents moisture buildup and allows you to spot any early signs of damage or pest activity. If you notice a musty smell, increase ventilation. If cedar or lavender scent fades, refresh your deterrents. A quick visual check takes 30 seconds and catches problems early.
Rotate which pieces sit on top. This ensures even air exposure and prevents permanent creases.
Step six · 1 minute
Refresh before wearing
When you're ready to wear stored pieces again, hang them in a well-ventilated space for 24 hours before putting them on. This allows any residual mustiness to dissipate and lets wrinkles fall out naturally. If a sweater still smells stale, lightly mist it with a fabric refresher spray or hang it near an open window. Never wear stored garments straight from the box.
A gentle steam from a handheld steamer removes minor wrinkles without the damage of an iron.
How to know it works.
Properly stored wool and cashmere should emerge from storage looking and feeling exactly as you packed them. No odors, no visible damage, no color fading. Your pieces will be ready to wear immediately, with no musty smell or stiffness.
Questions at the mirror.
Can I use plastic bins if I drill holes?
Yes, but cotton bags are better. Plastic still traps some moisture. If you use plastic, drill at least six quarter-inch holes per side and check contents monthly.
What if my storage space is humid?
Add a small silica gel packet or moisture absorber to your container. Replace it every 2–3 months. Consider a dehumidifier in the storage closet if humidity is consistently above 60%.
Do I need to wash cashmere before storage?
Yes. Cashmere is more delicate than wool, but it still attracts moths and oils. Hand-wash gently in cool water with cashmere-specific detergent, or use professional cleaning.
How long can I store wool and cashmere safely?
Indefinitely, if stored correctly. The limiting factor is cedar and lavender potency (replace annually) and periodic checks for pests. Most people rotate seasonal storage yearly.