f/u being green: mothballs?

inamra

I don't use mothballs but I just realized today during a meeting that I have little holes in my nursing top! I've never had this issue before but we're renting in a place that we've only been in for about 6 months, so maybe there's some bugs eating at my clothes! I hate the smell of mothballs though and found a list of possible alternatives online...does anyone here use any alternative methods that you swear by? I'd love to hear it! TIA!!

vanilla15

i haven't used anything but I have always heard cedar is a natural moth repellant (and IMO smells so much better than mothballs!)

 this came up with a quick google search

https://www.amazon.com/24-Cedar-Wood-Blocks-Repellent/dp/B001CLBTHY

inamra

vanilla15:

(and IMO smells so much better than mothballs!)

True! Thanks for the info  

redshoegirl

This might be a stupid question, but do you wash your tops a lot? And are they made of a stretchy material? I discovered that when I washed my nursing tanks a lot (I didn't have many so I had to wash them a TON), the material kind of got little bitty holes in it. Almost like I'd stabbed it in places with a huge safety pin. I don't know if that's like what you're talking about? Just wondering if it might be something other than insects.

inamra

redshoegirl:

This might be a stupid question, but do you wash your tops a lot? And are they made of a stretchy material? I discovered that when I washed my nursing tanks a lot (I didn't have many so I had to wash them a TON), the material kind of got little bitty holes in it. Almost like I'd stabbed it in places with a huge safety pin. I don't know if that's like what you're talking about? Just wondering if it might be something other than insects.

Hmmm kinda...I guess I do wash it often but how much is a lot? I have 5 tops, so I wash them about once every week. I've noticed it only in one top though, even though 4 of my tops are all the same brand but just different colors. It looks bigger than a safety pin and for some reason, it's only in the front bottom of the tank and the holes vary in size and shapes =/

redshoegirl

inamra:

Hmmm kinda...I guess I do wash it often but how much is a lot? I have 5 tops, so I wash them about once every week. I've noticed it only in one top though, even though 4 of my tops are all the same brand but just different colors. It looks bigger than a safety pin and for some reason, it's only in the front bottom of the tank and the holes vary in size and shapes =/

Hmm, probably not the same as my problem then. I was washing mine like 2-3 times a week, and they all had the same problem. I'd give the cedar a try!

parrotgirl

I use cedar and bought them at bed bath and beyond. i bough a few packs of little round ones and put a couple in each of my under-the-bed storage containers and in all my closets. it seems to be working...and it does smell a lot better than mothballs

SanHawaii08

i thought moths only ate natural fibers, like wool.  not cotton or man-made fibers.  do you have an agitator in your washing machine? maybe it got caught while washing?  

eta: to answer your question though, i use cloth storage bags, plus cedar blocks inside, for all my sweaters that I don't want eaten by moths.  it's a little annoying that you have to unzip and zip each time I want to get something out/put something in, but these are sweaters I would fold and not hang up anyway 

mrspresley

yeah I use cedar too i hate the smell of moth balls!