How to Store Cashmere Over Summer in Melbourne
By the first hot week, the jumpers, and the scarves and shawls, have usually been pushed to the back of the wardrobe, and that is when cashmere is most at risk. It is not the heat itself. It is months of being left alone in a warm, sometimes humid cupboard with clothes moths nearby.
Our own instruction is short: store folded, not hung. The rest of this page is general advice widely used for wool and cashmere, and we say so where it applies. Check your care label first.
The checklist
- Wash or dry clean every piece you are putting away. Moths are drawn less to the fibre than to what is on it: skin oils, perfume, sweat and food marks. A jumper stored after wearing is the one most likely to be damaged. The steps are in How to Wash Cashmere at Home. Make sure each piece is completely dry before it goes in, because any damp left in the knit causes trouble later.
- Fold, do not hang. A hanger pulls the shoulders out of shape over a whole season. Fold in half lengthways with the sleeves tucked in, then fold again and lay it flat. Keep stacks low so the bottom pieces are not crushed.
- Put it in something that breathes (see the table below).
- Choose a cool, dry, dark place. A wardrobe in a cooler part of the house is better than a roof space, a garage or a cupboard against an outside wall.
- Check once a month (see below).
What to store it in
| Option | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton storage bag or a cotton pillowcase | Good | Breathes, keeps dust and light off. |
| Cardboard or fabric box lined with acid-free tissue | Good | Breathes, protects shape, easy to stack. |
| Plastic bag or bin | Avoid, or use with care | Traps moisture; in a humid city that can mean musty smells and mould. If you use a lidded plastic box, only put in pieces that are washed and fully dry, and close it on a dry day. |
| Vacuum bag | Avoid for knitwear | Squashes the fibre. |
| Hanging on a hanger | Avoid for knits | Stretches shoulders. Fine for a silk qipao in a breathable garment bag, away from light. |
Cedar, lavender and mothballs
| Option | What it does | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar blocks | May help deter moths. Lightly sand them, or replace them each season, as the scent fades. | Does not kill eggs or larvae. Keep it from touching light-coloured knits, as oils from the wood may mark them. |
| Lavender sachets | May help deter moths and smell pleasant. Replace each season. | Does not kill eggs or larvae, and is no substitute for washing first. |
| Mothballs | Strong deterrent. | The smell clings to the fibre. We suggest avoiding them. |
Melbourne's conditions
Summers here swing between dry heat and humid days after a storm, and many wardrobes in older houses and rental flats get little airflow. Two small habits help. Open the wardrobe on a dry, breezy day every few weeks so the air moves. And if the cupboard smells damp, put a moisture absorber or a tray of silica gel in the space, not touching the clothes, and check it each month.
The monthly check
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Small holes, loose bits of fibre | Moth larvae feeding | Take the piece out and wash or dry clean it right away. |
| Tiny cocoon-like cases, fine webbing | Moth larvae | As above. Vacuum and wipe down the shelf and wash everything nearby. |
| Small, pale moths | Clothes moths | As above. Check every piece in that cupboard. |
| Musty smell, spots | Damp or mould, not moths | Air the piece, wash or dry clean it, and fix the damp before you store it again. |
A bag of clothes can also go in the freezer for a few days, which is a common way to deal with eggs, though not a guarantee.
Bring them out in autumn
When the weather turns, take the jumpers out and air them for a day. Light creases usually settle with wear or a gentle steam from a distance. A pill or two is normal; lift them with a cashmere comb on a flat surface. For the year as a whole, see Cashmere Care.
Quick questions
Do my summer pieces need storing? Our lighter cashmere and silk blends are made to be worn through the warmer months, over a summer dress or in an air-conditioned office. They can stay out. See the cashmere and silk collection.
Can a moth hole be mended? Small holes can sometimes be darned by a clothing repairer who works with knitwear.
Shop our women's cashmere knitwear.