Wool is a wonderful natural material that keeps you warm and cozy. To make sure your favorite wool garments last for many years and stay looking their best, it’s important to store them correctly. This guide will show you how to store wool clothes to keep them safe from damage and feeling fresh, season after season.

1. Why proper wool storage is crucial

Wool is a special natural fiber, and it needs a bit of care, especially when you put it away for storage. If you don’t store wool properly, unwanted things can happen. Pests like moths might find your wool and eat holes in it. Your sweaters could stretch out of shape, or the delicate wool fibers could become weak.

Here’s why good wool storage matters:

• It helps prevent pests (like clothes moths) from damaging your precious wool.
• It helps maintain the garment’s original shape and stops it from stretching or shrinking.
• It helps protect wool fibers from getting weak or breaking down over time.
• It ensures your wool clothes last for many years, saving you money and keeping your favorites wearable.

Taking a little time to store your wool correctly is an investment in keeping your garments beautiful and ready to wear.

2. Get your wool ready: the essential first steps

Before you even think about where to store your wool, you need to prepare it properly. What you do before putting wool away is very important for keeping it safe during storage. These first steps are key to success.

2.1 Clean your wool items thoroughly

Thoroughly cleaning your wool items is the most crucial first step. Pests, particularly clothes moths, are attracted not merely to the wool itself, but to microscopic food particles, skin cells, sweat, or dirt present on the fabric. Clean wool is significantly less appealing to them. Before cleaning, always consult the garment’s care label for manufacturer-specific instructions.

Hand washing is often the gentlest method for cleaning wool. Follow these guidelines:

• Use a special soap designed for wool or a very mild detergent.
• Employ cool or lukewarm water; hot water can cause wool to shrink.
• Gently push the wool down into the water and let it soak for a brief period.
• Refrain from rubbing, twisting, or wringing the wool excessively, as this can damage the fibers or alter its shape.
• Rinse thoroughly with cool or lukewarm water until all soap is removed.
• Gently squeeze out excess water. You can also roll the item in a clean towel and press carefully to remove additional moisture.

Machine washing can be suitable for some wool items, but exercise caution:

• Only machine wash if the care label clearly indicates “machine washable wool.”
• Use the ‘wool,’ ‘delicate,’ or ‘hand wash’ cycle on your washing machine.
• Always use cold water and a wool-specific detergent.
• It is highly advisable to place wool items in a mesh laundry bag to protect them from snagging or excessive agitation.

Professional dry cleaning is often the best choice for very delicate wool items (like fine cashmere), structured wool clothing (such as suit jackets or tailored coats), items with special decorations, or when the label states “dry clean only.” If you are unsure about how to clean an item yourself, dry cleaning is a safe alternative.

2.2 Ensure everything is completely dry

It is very important that your wool clothes are completely dry before you store them. Any dampness left in wool can cause big problems. Moisture can lead to mold and mildew, which smell bad, can stain your clothes, and can also make the wool fibers weak.

How to dry wool correctly:

• Lay flat: The best way to dry wool is to lay the item flat on a clean, dry towel. If the towel gets very wet, change it for a dry one. You can also use a flat mesh drying rack, which lets air move all around the garment.
• Reshape: While the wool garment is still damp, gently pull it back into its original shape and size. Don’t stretch it too much.
• Avoid direct sun: Never dry wool in direct sunlight. The sun can make colors fade and can make the wool fibers brittle and weak.
• Avoid direct heat: Never dry wool near strong heat, like on a radiator, in front of a heater, or in a hot tumble dryer. Too much heat can shrink wool or damage it.
• A note on tumble dryers: Only use a tumble dryer if the care label on your wool item specifically says it’s okay, AND you use a very low heat setting or a no-heat, air-dry setting. Most wool should not go in a tumble dryer.

2.3 Make small repairs

Before you store your wool, take a quick look at each item for any small problems. Check for things like loose buttons, tiny holes, or loose threads. It’s a good idea to fix these small issues now. Storing damaged items can make the damage worse over time. For example, a tiny hole can get bigger. Weakened areas can also be more attractive to pests.

3. Choosing the right storage solutions for wool

Now that your wool is clean, completely dry, and any small repairs are done, the next important step is to choose where you will store it and what you will store it in. The right storage environment and containers make a big difference.

3.1 Ideal storage environment conditions

Wool likes to be stored in a place that is:

• Cool: Wool prefers cool temperatures. Avoid places that can get very hot, like an attic in the summer, a hot garage, or spots right next to radiators or heating vents. Heat can damage wool fibers over time and make them brittle.
• Dark: Light, especially direct sunlight, can make the colors of your wool fade. A dark closet, a drawer, or an opaque (not see-through) storage box is best.
• Dry: Wool can absorb moisture from the air. If the air is too damp (high humidity), it can lead to mold or mildew. These can stain and damage wool and make it smell bad. So, avoid storing wool in damp basements or bathrooms for long periods.
• Clean: The storage area itself should be clean. Dust shelves or drawers before you put your wool items away. This helps prevent your clean wool from getting dirty again.

3.2 Selecting storage containers and materials

The type of container you use to store your wool is also important.

Recommended – breathable options:

• Wool is a natural fiber that needs to “breathe.” Breathable containers allow some air to circulate. This helps prevent moisture build-up and keeps the wool fresh.
• Fabric storage boxes/bins: Look for boxes made of breathable fabric like canvas or cotton. These are good because they let air pass through.
• Acid-free archival boxes (special boxes made from materials that don’t contain acid, which can damage fabrics over time): These are the very best option, especially for very special, old, heirloom, or valuable wool items like wedding shawls or a baby’s first cashmere sweater. The “acid-free” part means the box material won’t release chemicals that can yellow or damage fabric over a long time.
• Clean cotton pillowcases or muslin bags: These are good for storing individual items, especially delicate ones, inside drawers or larger breathable boxes. They add an extra layer of protection.

Zipper bags (use with care for specific items):

For smaller, delicate wool items like scarves, hats, or baby clothes that are perfectly clean and dry, good quality zipper bags from Packlove can give extra protection from dust and stop them from snagging on other things.

This is especially useful when you put them inside drawers or larger breathable boxes. Make sure items are not packed too tightly into the zipper bag. If you plan to store them for a very long time (many months or years), it’s a good idea to open the bags sometimes to let fresh air in.

What to avoid for long-term storage:

• Regular plastic bins/boxes (non-breathable): Most everyday plastic boxes don’t let air through. If any moisture gets trapped inside (from the clothes or the air), it can’t escape. This can make wool turn yellow, get mildew, or develop a musty smell over time.
• Plain cardboard boxes (not acid-free): Regular cardboard boxes (like shipping boxes) can contain acids. Over many months or years, these acids can transfer to the fabric and cause damage or discoloration.
• Vacuum-sealed bags: These are usually not good for wool for long-term storage. They squash the wool fibers, removing their natural fluffiness, airiness, and ability to insulate. Wool needs to breathe. While they save space, they can damage the texture of wool. If you must use them for a very short time (like when moving house), be very careful and don’t leave wool in them for long.

4. The best way to store wool: folding vs. hanging

It’s not just what you store wool in, but how you place your wool items in storage that matters. Let’s look at whether it’s better to fold or hang wool.

4.1 Folding: the go-to method for most wool

For most wool items, especially knits like sweaters and cardigans, folding is the best way to store them. Hanging can cause the shoulders to stretch out of shape or get bumps from the hanger. Heavy knitted items can also get longer and lose their shape if hung for a long time.

• This method is good for: Sweaters, cardigans, knitted scarves, shawls, wool t-shirts, heavy wool items, and wool blankets.
• When folding wool items properly: Ensure you fold items loosely and avoid packing them too tightly in boxes or drawers, as wool benefits from a little air around it.
• Try to avoid making very sharp, hard creases; soft folds are better for the fabric.
• Consider rolling some wool items, such as scarves or less structured knits, instead of folding, as this can also help prevent creases.
• For very soft or special wool like cashmere or merino wool, you can place a piece of acid-free tissue paper (thin paper made without acid, safe for fabrics) between the folds. This helps to stop deep creases from forming and gives extra protection to the delicate fibers.

4.2 Hanging: for specific wool garments only

Hanging is generally not recommended for most wool, but there are a few exceptions.

• This method is suitable for: Only some wool clothes that are firmly woven (fabric made by interlacing threads, not by knitting loops) and might get very creased if folded. Examples include tailored wool blazers, suit jackets, some structured wool skirts, or lightweight woven wool trousers.
• If you must hang wool items, use the right hangers: Opt for wide, shaped, or padded hangers. These support the shape of the shoulders and the garment better.
• Avoid using the wrong hangers: Never use thin wire hangers or narrow plastic hangers. They can stretch the fabric, cause ugly bumps on the shoulders, or even damage the wool.
• Give them space in the closet: If you hang wool items, make sure there’s some space between them. Don’t cram them in tightly, as this allows air to move around them.

5. Pest prevention for wool

One of the biggest reasons we need to be careful when storing wool is to protect it from pests, especially clothes moths. Cleanliness is the very first step, but there are other things you can do to help keep your wool safe.

5.1 Understanding the enemy: clothes moths

Clothes moths are small insects that are attracted to natural fibers. They particularly like wool, silk, and fur because these materials contain a protein called keratin (a natural protein found in hair, wool, and feathers) which they can digest. Moths are also very attracted to any food stains, sweat, skin cells, or body oils left on clothes. This is why cleaning your wool thoroughly (as we talked about in Section 2.1) is so important!

It’s important to know that it’s not the adult, flying moths that eat your clothes and make holes. The adult moths lay tiny eggs. It’s the babies (larvae, which look like tiny caterpillars) that hatch from these eggs that do the damage by eating the fabric.

5.2 Natural moth repellents

Natural repellents are a good, safe way to help keep moths away from your stored wool. They work by creating smells that moths don’t like.

• Cedar wood: Cedar wood contains a natural oil and scent that moths find unpleasant, which helps deter them from laying eggs near your wool. You can use various forms such as cedar blocks, balls, chips or shavings in small bags (sachets), cedar hangers (ideal for wool items like jackets that you hang), or even opt for cedar-lined drawers or chests. To maintain its effectiveness, the scent of cedar needs refreshing every few months (e.g., every 3-6 months) by lightly sanding the surface of blocks or balls, or by adding a few drops of cedar essential oil to chips or blocks.
• Lavender: The smell of lavender is another scent that moths dislike, though it is generally pleasant for humans. Use small bags (sachets) filled with dried lavender flowers and place them in drawers or storage boxes alongside your wool items.
• Other herbs: Other strong-smelling herbs such as rosemary, mint, and cloves can also be effective. These can be used in sachets, as moths typically avoid these clean, herbal scents.
• Important safety tip: Avoid direct, prolonged contact between these natural repellents and your wool clothes. The oils in cedar wood or the potent scents from dried herbs could potentially stain light-colored fabrics or transfer too much fragrance if they are in direct contact. It’s best to place cedar blocks or balls beside or between neatly wrapped or boxed items, rather than directly on top of unwrapped clothes. Also, ensure you use sachets that securely contain the herbs, preventing loose bits from falling onto your garments.

5.3 Physical barriers

Remember, clean clothes and well-sealed containers are your first and best defense against pests. Good quality breathable boxes with tight-fitting lids can stop moths from getting in.

As we mentioned earlier, for extra protection for small, individual wool items inside these boxes or in drawers, properly used Packlove zipper bags can add another barrier. Make sure items are clean and dry, not packed too tightly, and air them if stored for a very long time. This can help keep pests and dust away from these specific items.

5.4 Avoid chemical mothballs

We strongly advise against using old-fashioned chemical mothballs. They contain strong chemicals (like naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) that can be harmful to the health of people and pets if they breathe them in or touch them.

The smell is also very strong, unpleasant, and very, very hard to get out of clothes and the storage area. Natural methods (like cedar and lavender) are safer and can work very well when used correctly with clean clothes and good storage containers.

6. Organizing your stored wool for easy access

Once your wool items are clean, dry, folded, and protected, a little bit of organization will make it much easier to find what you need later.

6.1 Group like items together

Try storing similar types of wool items together. For example:

• Put all your wool sweaters in one box or one section of a drawer.
• Put wool scarves, hats, and gloves together in another.
• Keep wool socks separate.

This makes it much easier to find what you’re looking for when you need it, without having to look through everything.

6.2 Label your storage containers clearly

Labeling your storage containers clearly is a simple step that saves you a lot of time and trouble later on. You won’t have to open every single box or guess what’s inside when you’re looking for a specific item.

What information to put on a label:

• The type of garment (e.g., Wool sweaters, Cashmere scarves, Wool socks, Winter wool accessories).
• You could also add the color if you have many similar items (e.g., Blue merino sweaters, Grey Cashmere cardigan).
• It can be helpful to add the date stored, especially for long-term storage. This helps you know how long things have been stored and which items to check first.

7. Checking in: periodic inspection during long-term storage

If you’re storing your wool for a long time (more than one season, or over a whole year), it’s a good idea to check on your stored items every few months. A quick check can prevent small problems from becoming big ones.

What to look for during inspection:

• Any signs of pests (like live or dead moths, tiny larvae, moth droppings which look like small grains, or new holes in fabric).
• Any signs of dampness, mold, mildew, or any strange smells.
• Any new damage or unexpected creases.

What to do during inspection:

• It’s a good idea to refold items slightly differently each time you check. This helps prevent creases from becoming permanent in one spot.
• Refresh natural repellents like cedar or lavender if their scent has faded (e.g., sand cedar blocks or replace old sachets).

8. Bringing wool out of storage

When it’s time to wear your wool clothes again after they’ve been stored, there are a few simple steps to get them ready:

• Air them out: Take the garments out of their storage containers and let them air for a few hours, or even a whole day if possible. You can hang them outdoors on a breezy day (but not in direct sunlight, as this can fade colors) or indoors in a room with good airflow (e.g., near an open window, but not in a dusty place). This helps remove any “stored” smells and refreshes the fibers.
• Check for issues: Give them one last look-over for any problems you might have missed before, like tiny holes or stains.
• Remove wrinkles: Wool often gets wrinkled during storage. Safe methods to remove them include hanging the garment in a steamy bathroom for a short time (e.g., while you shower), as the steam will help relax the fibers and release wrinkles. Using a garment steamer is also an excellent and gentle option; this is often the best and gentlest way to remove wrinkles from wool.
• If the care label allows ironing, use a cool iron on the ‘wool’ setting. Always use a pressing cloth (a piece of clean, plain cotton fabric like an old pillowcase or tea towel) between the iron and the wool garment. Never iron wool directly with a hot iron, as it can scorch or make the wool shiny.

9. Common wool storage mistakes to avoid

To help you store your wool perfectly, here’s a quick list of common mistakes people make. Avoiding these will keep your wool happy!

• Storing wool when it’s even a little dirty or damp: This is the biggest mistake! Dirt and moisture attract pests and can cause mildew.
• Using airtight plastic containers for long-term storage without ever opening them: Wool needs to breathe a bit. Trapped moisture from temperature changes can cause problems. If you must use plastic, choose breathable options or air items regularly.
• Hanging heavy sweaters or knits, especially on thin wire hangers: This causes them to stretch out of shape, get shoulder bumps, and can damage the knit structure.
• Packing too many clothes tightly into one box or drawer: This stops air from moving around the clothes, can crush fibers, and cause deep wrinkles.
• Storing wool in places with direct sunlight or near heat sources (like radiators): Sunlight fades colors and weakens fibers. Heat can damage wool and make it brittle.
• Not using any moth repellents (like cedar or lavender), especially if you know moths can be a problem in your home or area: This leaves your wool unprotected from pests.
• Using old-fashioned chemical mothballs: They have a very strong, unpleasant smell that’s hard to remove, and the chemicals can be harmful to people and pets.

10. Frequently asked questions about storing wool

Here are answers to some common questions people have about storing wool.

10.1 How long can I store wool clothes?

If you follow all the right steps – making sure they are perfectly clean and dry, folded or stored correctly in breathable containers, protected from pests, and kept in a cool, dark, dry place – wool clothes can be stored safely for a very long time, even for many years.

The key is to check on them sometimes, maybe every few months (as we talked about in Section 7), to make sure everything is still okay.

10.2 Is it really bad to vacuum seal wool?

Yes, for long-term storage, it’s usually bad for wool. Vacuum sealing squashes the wool fibers flat. Wool has a natural fluffiness and springiness that helps it keep you warm and look good. Vacuum sealing can damage this texture. It also removes all the air, and wool benefits from a little air circulation.

Plus, if there’s even a tiny bit of moisture in the wool when you seal it, that moisture gets trapped and can cause mildew. If you absolutely must save space for a very short time, like when you are moving house, you could use them with great care, but don’t leave wool vacuum-sealed for long periods.

10.3 What’s better, cedar or lavender for moths?

Both cedar and lavender are good natural moth repellents, and many people find they work well. Cedar is often thought to have a stronger scent that moths really dislike. Lavender is also effective and has a scent many people enjoy.

It often comes down to your personal preference for the smell and what you find works best in your home. You can even use both together for extra protection!

10.4 What if I find moths or larvae in my stored wool?

If this happens, you need to act fast to stop the problem from spreading:

• Carefully take out all items from that storage box, drawer, or closet area.
• Check each item very carefully for signs of moths, larvae, or damage.
• If your wool type can handle it, you can try to kill any hidden larvae or eggs by putting affected items in a sealed plastic bag and then in the freezer for a few days (at least 72 hours). Let them come back to room temperature slowly.
• After freezing, or if you don’t freeze, you must thoroughly clean all affected items and any items stored near them. This means washing them or taking them to a professional dry cleaner. Cleaning will remove any remaining larvae or eggs.
• Very thoroughly clean the empty storage box, drawer, or closet. Vacuum it very well, paying attention to corners and cracks. You can also wipe it down with a mild cleaning solution. Make sure it’s completely dry before putting anything back.

10.5 Can I store different types of wool together?

Yes, generally you can store different types of wool together, as long as they are all clean and dry, and you are following all the good storage practices we’ve discussed.

For very delicate or expensive wools like cashmere, you might want to give them a little extra care, even if they are in the same box as other wools. For example, you could wrap them individually in acid-free tissue paper before placing them with other items.

10.6 Do I need to worry about moths if my house is very clean?

Having a clean house definitely helps, but moths can still find their way in. They can fly in from outside through open windows or doors, or sometimes they can come in on other items brought into the house.

The most important thing for preventing moths from damaging your clothes is making sure the clothes themselves are perfectly clean before you store them. Moths are attracted to even tiny, invisible bits of food, sweat, or skin cells on the fibers, more than just general house dust.

11. Packlove solutions for smarter wool storage

Taking good care of your wool is easier with the right tools.

• Zipper bags: Remember, for those smaller, delicate wool items like scarves, hats, or baby’s first woolens, once they are perfectly clean and dry, our Packlove zipper bags can offer an extra layer of protection. They help shield these items from dust and stop them from snagging on other things when stored inside your drawers or breathable boxes. Just make sure not to pack them too tightly, and if you store them for a very long time, it’s a good idea to open the bag sometimes to let in fresh air.
• Customizable labels: And to make sure you can always find your carefully stored woolens without any fuss, our Packlove customizable labels are perfect for clearly marking your storage containers.

Read more:

• Sweater Storage: Zipper Bags for Ultimate Care
• Make Clothes Last Longer: Ultimate Guide to Care and Maintenance
• Storing Clothes in Zipper Bags: A Complete Guide

Storing your wool clothes well is easy if you remember the key steps: make sure they are clean and dry, fold them gently (usually!), protect them from pests, and keep them in a cool, dark, and dry place.

Taking these simple steps to care for your wool during storage is like making an investment. It helps your lovely, cozy wool garments last for many, many years, so you can enjoy wearing them season after season.

We hope this guide helps you store your wool with confidence. With a little care, your favorite woolens will stay beautiful and ready for you to enjoy for years to come! Still have questions about storing your special garments or need other packaging solutions? Contact the friendly team at Packlove for advice!