%#!/^#!! Moths !

[Mikilt]

I used to just keep my wool clothing in a cedar lined closet. But the cedar in there was put in over 20 years ago. I don't know if it's still effective. Now I keep things in garment bags with fresh cedar blocks. My kilt is hung inside a cotton pillow case with its own cedar block, inside a larger garment bag

Still, reading through this thread it has become apparent to me that I am not doing all that I could be doing. Getting some relatively airtight storage bins and some more cedar blocks is in order. Not just for my wool kilt, but all of my wool clothing

I am on the lookout for some of those canvas garment bags that Kyle espouses. Anything to keep my kilt as nice as new.

[Fedgunner]

Please beware of "moth-balls". I was warned by Kathy Lare that they can be hazardous to kilt makers. She explained that one of the people that help her became ill after pressing pleats on a kilt that was in for alteration.
If you do use them, be sure to inform anyone that works on your kilt.

[Tobus]

I am on the lookout for some of those canvas garment bags that Kyle espouses. Anything to keep my kilt as nice as new.

You can find them pretty much anywhere, like Walmart or Target. I bought several for my kilts and tweed jackets, and they come in a range of sizes (short for jackets, or long for dresses). They're fairly inexpensive, all things considered, and offer good protection against moths while still being breathable. The only place moths can find their way in is at the top where the hangers protrude through. But you can also find cedar disks that are meant to go around the wire part of the hanger (just below the hook), which is great for keeping moths away from the opening.

I think these are the garment bags I have. The side-zipper is a bit of a pain for getting items in and out, but I also have a couple of older ones with front zippers.

[creagdhubh]

You can find them pretty much anywhere, like Walmart or Target. I bought several for my kilts and tweed jackets, and they come in a range of sizes (short for jackets, or long for dresses). They're fairly inexpensive, all things considered, and offer good protection against moths while still being breathable. The only place moths can find their way in is at the top where the hangers protrude through. But you can also find cedar disks that are meant to go around the wire part of the hanger (just below the hook), which is great for keeping moths away from the opening.

I think these are the garment bags I have. The side-zipper is a bit of a pain for getting items in and out, but I also have a couple of older ones with front zippers.

That's the garment bag I have. Cedar discs are fantastic idea as well.

[Aussie_Don]

I used to just keep my wool clothing in a cedar lined closet. But the cedar in there was put in over 20 years ago. I don't know if it's still effective. Now I keep things in garment bags with fresh cedar blocks. My kilt is hung inside a cotton pillow case with its own cedar block, inside a larger garment bag

You can always empty the closet, get out the sander and run it over the lining. A bit of relatively fine sandpaper will refresh the cedar by bringing up a new surface.

-Don

Still, reading through this thread it has become apparent to me that I am not doing all that I could be doing. Getting some relatively airtight storage bins and some more cedar blocks is in order. Not just for my wool kilt, but all of my wool clothing

I am on the lookout for some of those canvas garment bags that Kyle espouses. Anything to keep my kilt as nice as new.

[Jon Lilley]

After years of moth balls and moth crystals, I couldn't take the stench any longer! I was told that scented candles or new soap would do the trick. The perfume being too much for the wee beasties. Well, it's simple. Step 1.) Designate a closet with a door that closes properly. 2.) Open the candles and peal the new soap out of their wrapper and put up on a high shelf to dry out. New candles don't last more than a year or so, but as the soap dries it keeps giving off its scent keeping the bugs at bay. Don't put the soap directly on any wollen as it will stain. You can use any sort of bar soap you like as long as it's scented. The heavier scented, the better. I've got probably 10 bars of soap up there and it's still working. And so what if I smell like a bar of soap for a few hours after putting it on. It's a lot easier on the nose than moth balls. Oh yeah, you want to keep the door closed at all times as well . . . natch!

I know there are online services that can reweave/patch holes, but I've never met anyone that teaches it. I'd give it a try myself if the wool were heavy enough and not too dark, but I shudder to think of the time commitment for just one hole. Heaven forbid if you have a life and had to work this kind of thing into spare time.

Meanntachd!,

Jon

[NorseCelt]

I am on the lookout for some of those canvas garment bags that Kyle espouses. Anything to keep my kilt as nice as new.

They have some nice canvas garment bags at The Container Store. There's one just north of Oak Brook mall.