DIY Moth Proof Woollen Wash

If you’re putting your sweaters, cardigans, shawls or blankets away for summer you’ll want to make sure the moths don’t make a meal of them.

It’s not the actual moths that are a problem here, it’s their babies; the larvae are attracted to keratin, so fine fibres such as wool and cashmere are on the top of the menu.

To help deter moths and keep your woollens in tip top condition make this woollen wash.

DIY Moth Proof Woollen Wash

This mixture will keep you going for ages, it works just as well in cold or hot water, and can be used in front loaders as it doesn’t foam. Grated Green Goddess Almond & Avocado Castile is the base for this mix.

It’s easy and relatively fast to make although it can be a bit gluggy, this will dissipate in the wash.

Adding eucalyptus essential oil to the recipe will give you a liquid that’s wonderful on woollens, merinos and delicates, just make sure you wash them on the most gentle cycle to keep the fibres in good shape.

60g grated  Green Goddess Avocado & Almond Unscented Castile

1.5 litres of cold water

1 litre hot water & another 5 litres cold water

½ cup Green Goddess Premium Soda Ash

50g  Green Goddess Premium Borax

1/2 cup Methylated Spirits

9 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil, 5 drops Clove Bud Essential Oil, 8 drops Lavender Essential Oil

Place soap in a saucepan with 1.5L cold of water and heat on low until soap is dissolved. Stir in washing soda and borax. Stir for a few minutes until thickened and remove from heat.

Add 1 litre of hot water to a bucket. Add soap mixture and mix well. Then add another 5 litres of hot water and mix well.

You can bottle this liquid as it is and use for all clothes washing – to make the moth repellent do the following …

Add the essential oils and methylated spirits and stir well to combine then pour into bottles with a decent sized opening, milk bottles work well.

Add 1 tbsp of the mixture to every 4 litres of water and soak your woollens for an hour then hand wash or wash on your wool cycle in your machine but do not rinse.

Wring them dry or put them through the gentle spin of your washing machine then dry outside out of direct sunshine on a drying rack so that garments keep their shape, or on the line for bigger items.

Do not rinse as the eucalyptus oil & meths needs to stay in the wool to deter moths.