Help! Holes in my rtw!

[Chrismin]

So far morning is going terribly! Pulled this top out only to find these holes which seem to be moth holes ! Should I take it to Hermes to send to weaver ? I am heartbroken bc I already have cedar blocks and lavender in closet .. what would be the next step ? How does everyone store their knits/ silk blend tops ? In a garment bag or just alone ? I’m trying not to flip out bc at the end of the day it’s clothing but I’m definitely not happy about this !! Any help would be appreciated

 

[J’adore H]

I have had this issue and I am not sure if it was a moth or silverfish (didn’t even know they damaged clothing until recently). I already use moth repellent packets from the container store (they have mint and lavender in them) and cedar balls. I recently added moth sticky traps from a brand called BugMD (amazon carries them) and one of those lights that attracts bugs and has a sticky trap on it as well. I was also told you can sprinkle a powder called diatomaceous earth on your baseboards for silverfish. (Also from Amazon and the food grade version) I understand its safe for pets too. I have basically gone to war with pests since I had a few pieces in my wardrobe damaged.

 

[Sara_likes_clothes]

if you have a reputable dry cleaner or tailor they might be able to fix it. Ive had my dry cleaner darn some holes for me in knitwear that you wouldn't notice if you didn't know it was there, and the price wasn't bad, and it was fast as opposed to bringing to Hermes and might take a year.

 

[Chrismin]

I have had this issue and I am not sure if it was a moth or silverfish (didn’t even know they damaged clothing until recently). I already use moth repellent packets from the container store (they have mint and lavender in them) and cedar balls. I recently added moth sticky traps from a brand called BugMD (amazon carries them) and one of those lights that attracts bugs and has a sticky trap on it as well. I was also told you can sprinkle a powder called diatomaceous earth on your baseboards for silverfish. (Also from Amazon and the food grade version) I understand its safe for pets too. I have basically gone to war with pests since I had a few pieces in my wardrobe damaged.

thanks so much for your input. im definitely going to be adding these measures! its SOOOOO annoying - and one more thing i need to add to my to do list! Argh!

 

[Chrismin]

if you have a reputable dry cleaner or tailor they might be able to fix it. Ive had my dry cleaner darn some holes for me in knitwear that you wouldn't notice if you didn't know it was there, and the price wasn't bad, and it was fast as opposed to bringing to Hermes and might take a year.

yes i do have a tailor whi is really good
weighing between that and bring to hermes which as you said -- it often takes SO long...
thanks!

 

[Love Of My Life]

If you are in the NYC area there are several good cleaners that should be able to repair this
Hermes would be a long wait but then it is being done by Hermes so expectations should be high
for it being perfect as can be
As far as moths go, your lavender needs to be replaced frequently & I use lavender sachets
in every pocket of every coat & jacket. Sweaters & other underpinnings get lavender sachets
placed throughout & lavender sachets also hang from hangers

 

[Chrismin]

If you are in the NYC area there are several good cleaners that should be able to repair this
Hermes would be a long wait but then it is being done by Hermes so expectations should be high
for it being perfect as can be
As far as moths go, your lavender needs to be replaced frequently & I use lavender sachets
in every pocket of every coat & jacket. Sweaters & other underpinnings get lavender sachets
placed throughout & lavender sachets also hand from hangers

how often do you replacethe lavender?

 

[Love Of My Life]

how often do you replacethe lavender?

I replace my lavender at the beginning of every season & freshen up often if I feel it is needed
Just did it a week ago or so & besides the house smelling wonderful, my closet is in order
& ready for fall/winter season
I'm particular about how all my clothes & accessories are stored as I also use acid free
tissue paper for my shawls with lavender as well
Nothing gets put back in the closet that has a perfume scent or isn't clean..

 

[880]

Sorry this happened to you. I agree that a good dry cleaner can repair the damage. Moths are attracted to dark, enclosed, undisturbed spaces. My closets tend to get plenty of air flow and indirect light, and i inspect clothes and rotate through pretty frequently. I don’t find that storebought sachets help much (maybe don’t buy the best ones), but I sometimes put material soaked in diluted essential oil in the corners of my closets. (You don’t want this to come into direct contact with your clothing

 

[textilegirl]

Unfortunately, and I really don't want to upset you but 'forewarned is forearmed' as they say, I would advise you to pull a few more things out of the closet and examine them for any damage. If there's one problem, you may have more, and it's better to know the extent of the issue now than be surprised later.

ETA: I thought there was a decent thread in the scarf domain but couldn't find it on a quick search. Here's some fairly comprehensive info from the NYT which hopefully isn't behind the paywall....https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-clothes-moths/

 

[textilegirl]

I also think @880 is correct about the sachets and the like, including cedar planks/balls etc. There's just not enough of the essential chemical to really deter the moths and larvae, especially if you have a few or more pieces to protect....It's really rather an ugly problem....

 

[bicoastalchic]

I’m so sorry this happened to you! I had this happen a few years back. Took everything in the closet to the dry cleaners. Since then I store sweaters and wool pants in a cedar chest dresser and everything else that is wool or cashmere in a garment bag with a lavender sachet. This has taken the stress out of unhappy surprises.