What do you prioritize in socks?

[jazznpool]

This has been an enlightening thread. Since I believe moths are a problem in most climates, I’m wondering how folks here store their socks? I use large plastic bags with zippers, and I organize my socks by thickness.

Ever since I lost a few pieces to moths years ago, I am vigilant about how I store all of my clothing with animal fibers.

 

[Allen22]

Since I believe moths are a problem in most climates

Luckily don't have such a problem, but usually some cedar sachets used for these purposes, and even any soaps in the drawer works, but better use something like Aleppo ones.

 

[Cause Moe]

Luckily don't have such a problem, but usually some cedar sachets used for these purposes, and even any soaps in the drawer works, but better use something like Aleppo ones.

I use small cedar planks, re-sanded annually, and sachets of dried lavender, in drawers where I store socks, sweaters, and wool long-johns (or "base layers" as the kids call them these days), as well as in garment bags used for suits, sportcoats, overcoats, trousers, etc. Everything wool (or alpaca, etc) is kept in some kind of drawer or garment bag or box, with cedar and lavender. Moth holes are now a thing of the past for me.

 

[sho'nuff]

This is what I ordered from them

 

[DapperDan15]

This has been an enlightening thread. Since I believe moths are a problem in most climates, I’m wondering how folks here store their socks? I use large plastic bags with zippers, and I organize my socks by thickness.

Ever since I lost a few pieces to moths years ago, I am vigilant about how I store all of my clothing with animal fibers.

I have always used lavender sachets, periodically refreshed with a few drops of lavender essential oil, hanging in my wardrobe. Sweaters and socks are stored in cedar-lined chests, and ties in a drawer with more lavender. Never yet had a moth problem.

 

[Son Of Saphir]

This has been an enlightening thread. Since I believe moths are a problem in most climates, I’m wondering how folks here store their socks? I use large plastic bags with zippers, and I organize my socks by thickness.

Ever since I lost a few pieces to moths years ago, I am vigilant about how I store all of my clothing with animal fibers.

I did in depth research on the topic of moths years ago, I had to because I have a wardrobe full of many outstanding cashmere jumpers, so l needed to be sure to sort the rumor from the truth. Here are my conclusions:

- lavender, oils, soap and cedar don't guarantee moths will stay away. Numerous cases have been found where moths will still eat knitwear when these measures have been employed.
- freezing your knitwear in a household freezer doesn't kill the egg larvae. Cases have been shown where knitwear still gets eaten. Only industrial freezers that go below -30 have been found to kill the eggs.
- best to avoid plastic storage.
- washing your knitwear doesn't stop moths.

What does work?
- shaking your knitwear every 30 days. It dislodges the larvae before it hatches after 6 weeks.
- washing your knitwear and shaking it before storage.
- store in breathable zip lock bags and keep an eye out for any holes in the bags. If holes start appearing,shake the knitwear off and replace the bag immediately.

Put your knitwear in these (not my company)

Cotton Storage Bags

Kazzi Kovers Storage Bags are fully enclosed and protect against dust, dirt, insects and mould. Ideal for blankets, quilts, clothing, keepsakes and more.

kazzikovers.com.au

 

[sho'nuff]

Anyone experience with any brooks brothers socks? They have a sale on some and I picked up a few. Argyle and half length mostly. I'm sure they are decent quality like many other big store brands.

 

[Son Of Saphir]

^^^
what do you think of half length, do you like them?

Look at what l found, lots of woolen socks in a variety of colours, and all OTC. Even Bresciani doesn't supply all these colours. Not sure of the poly %, but even if they are 15% l can make the compromise because they have colours like purple, tartan green, wine and various blues. Not into one tone cottons, but definitely into one tone wools.

Wool Dress Socks

Our over the calf wool solid color ribbed dress socks are available in a very wide range of colors. Shown in the main image, from left to right, top to bottom: 99-navy; 119-wine; 20-black; 358-gold; 231-blue; 41-dark tan; 4-charcoal; 113-tartan green; 88-brown; 236-red; 709-royal blue; 001-dark...

www.bensilver.com

The Ben Silver argyles (85% wool) are killer too. In time l will get multiples of many of these along with the one tone wools above. They are more expensive, but they will be worth it. Even if l buy 50 pairs, it will only be $500 more in total for socks in dream colours/designs.

 

[Gus]

I did in depth research on the topic of moths years ago, I had to because I have a wardrobe full of many outstanding cashmere jumpers, so l needed to be sure to sort the rumor from the truth. Here are my conclusions:

- lavender, oils, soap and cedar don't guarantee moths will stay away. Numerous cases have been found where moths will still eat knitwear when these measures have been employed.
- freezing your knitwear in a household freezer doesn't kill the egg larvae. Cases have been shown where knitwear still gets eaten. Only industrial freezers that go below -30 have been found to kill the eggs.
- best to avoid plastic storage.
- washing your knitwear doesn't stop moths.

What does work?
- shaking your knitwear every 30 days. It dislodges the larvae before it hatches after 6 weeks.
- washing your knitwear and shaking it before storage.
- store in breathable zip lock bags and keep an eye out for any holes in the bags. If holes start appearing,shake the knitwear off and replace the bag immediately.

Put your knitwear in these (not my company)

Cotton Storage Bags

Kazzi Kovers Storage Bags are fully enclosed and protect against dust, dirt, insects and mould. Ideal for blankets, quilts, clothing, keepsakes and more.

kazzikovers.com.au

I spoke with the manager of one of the leading vintage Navajo rug galleries in the world about moths. His feedback was very similar to yours. He recommends moth traps, but not for the reason you might think. Moth traps wont get rid of all the moths in your home. BUT, if you check them regularly, they will warn you that you have an infestation and need to take immediate action 1) going through all of your wool/cashmere clothing and rugs in your home. 2) Get rid of anything that can't be immediately cleaned and repaired. 3)Wash or dry clean your clothing and rugs 4) clean your drawers and closet shelves.

We now use Insects Limited Inc traps and pheromones to monitor any clothing moth activity. These are the same as used by top textiles galleries.

Here is a lot more information on Clothes Moths and how to track them

https://www.insectslimited.com/webbing-clothes-moth

 

[Gus]

To prevent moth damage, we dry clean and store in sealed containers all of our best knits and wool/cashmere accessories , and our coats in sealed fabric hanging bags at the end of winter. We don't pack anything with them that hasn't been dry cleaned. Aside from moth prevention, when Fall comes around and we pull these out of storage we know everything is clean, smells fine and is ready to wear.

Our cottons and linens we just store on their own.

 

[Son Of Saphir]

I spoke with the manager of one of the leading vintage Navajo rug galleries in the world about moths. His feedback was very similar to yours. He recommends moth traps, but not for the reason you might think. Moth traps wont get rid of all the moths in your home. BUT, if you check them regularly, they will warn you that you have an infestation and need to take immediate action 1) going through all of your wool/cashmere clothing and rugs in your home. 2) Get rid of anything that can't be immediately cleaned and repaired. 3)Wash or dry clean your clothing and rugs 4) clean your drawers and closet shelves.

We now use Insects Limited Inc traps and pheromones to monitor any clothing moth activity. These are the same as used by top textiles galleries.

Here is a lot more information on Clothes Moths and how to track them

https://www.insectslimited.com/webbing-clothes-moth

Yes, if one has a great collection of cashmere garments one must know facts v's wives tales. Most moth protection strategies talked about online are wives tales.

I had found cashmere garments last night with small holes despite using various anti moth frangrances. My mistake was being lazy and not monitoring the knitwear or putting it in a protective layer (got lazy). The jumpers were in my draw from last Winter. If l was smart l would have washed them at the end of last winter and stored them in those cotton storage bags and keep an eye on the bags.

Had another cashmere piece (Hermes') that got badly eaten. Got lazy with that too. Ended up washing the garment but the jumper continued being eaten away. I ended up ironing the garment numerous times and the moth holes eventually stopped. Big lesson learned, l must stop getting lax and remain diligent or else I am at high risk of getting holes in expensive garments.

Best protection? Monitoring those protective moth bags diligently, or shaking any unprotected knitwear once a month. Why? Because eggs get laid in the knitwear, and after 6 weeks they hatch and the larvae begin eating the material. If you shake the knitwear every 4 weeks the eggs get dislodged before the larvae can develop and eat the wools. Yes, it is inconvenient and hard work checking things that are in storage, but that is what it takes to look after woolens.

Some people will say that they use cedar and other moth protection and have never had a problem, but it doesn't mean these things actually work. Why? Because there are circumstances demonstrated where those things don't work. Anti moth fragrances are a deterrent that can keep moths away, but if moth wants to lay eggs on the garment it still will, so it is not fool proof.

Best method = frequent monitoring of garment protection bags (every 4 weeks).

 

[Concordia]

For moths, I will often use dry ice (the CO2 kills living moths and nails eggs when they turn into larvae). Best to put a few scoops into a garment bag or a drawer. Brown paper sandwich bags are handy for this, as you can prep it all in the kitchen and then just drop a bag into a suit bag or a drawer. If you have a closet that can be sealed reasonably well at the bottom of the door, a block or two inside will also work.

Other than that, there are spray bombs that make a lot of progress. They don't always catch everything, though, so if you're getting rid of an infestation you want to use them every few weeks for a while.

One of my locations is famous for its moths, and while I lost a few sweaters and socks-- and damaged some trousers-- a few years ago, I think the above have more or less got them under control. The dry ice is a nuisance but probably more effective, it is heavier than air so therefore discourages return.

Other than that, there are still a small handful of invisible weavers in London who have rescued some clothing I wasn't able to replace.

 

[Son Of Saphir]

Other than that, there are still a small handful of invisible weavers in London who have rescued some clothing I wasn't able to replace.

Can you provide some contact details for these invisible weavers please?

 

[Concordia]

British Invisible Mending Service Ltd, London

www.invisible-mending.co.uk

 

[epsilon22]

Yes, if one has a great collection of cashmere garments one must know facts v's wives tales. Most moth protection strategies talked about online are wives tales.

I had found cashmere garments last night with small holes despite using various anti moth frangrances. My mistake was being lazy and not monitoring the knitwear or putting it in a protective layer (got lazy). The jumpers were in my draw from last Winter. If l was smart l would have washed them at the end of last winter and stored them in those cotton storage bags and keep an eye on the bags.

Had another cashmere piece (Hermes') that got badly eaten. Got lazy with that too. Ended up washing the garment but the jumper continued being eaten away. I ended up ironing the garment numerous times and the moth holes eventually stopped. Big lesson learned, l must stop getting lax and remain diligent or else I am at high risk of getting holes in expensive garments.

Best protection? Monitoring those protective moth bags diligently, or shaking any unprotected knitwear once a month. Why? Because eggs get laid in the knitwear, and after 6 weeks they hatch and the larvae begin eating the material. If you shake the knitwear every 4 weeks the eggs get dislodged before the larvae can develop and eat the wools. Yes, it is inconvenient and hard work checking things that are in storage, but that is what it takes to look after woolens.

Some people will say that they use cedar and other moth protection and have never had a problem, but it doesn't mean these things actually work. Why? Because there are circumstances demonstrated where those things don't work. Anti moth fragrances are a deterrent that can keep moths away, but if moth wants to lay eggs on the garment it still will, so it is not fool proof.

Best method = frequent monitoring of garment protection bags (every 4 weeks).

As someone who just moved out of the tropics a few years ago, my solution to moth problem is to have a small enough collection that nothing gets no wear in a month.

Might not last long though, at the rate I'm acquiring new sweaters.