Running your clothes through the washing machine is an effective way to kill moth eggs and larvae that may be living in the fabric fibers. The combination of hot water, detergent, and agitation helps eliminate these pesky insects. Keep reading to learn why using your washer is one of the best ways to sanitize cloth items and prevent future moth infestations.
How Do Moths Infest Clothing?
Moths are drawn to natural fibers like wool, cashmere, silk, felt, cotton, linen as well as some synthetic fabrics. The larvae eat keratin proteins found in these materials as their main food source.
Female moths lay hundreds of tiny eggs directly on fabric, usually in hidden crevices like clothing folds or along seams. When the eggs hatch, the worm-like larvae begin feeding and tunneling through fibers, creating holes and weak spots. They can severely damage clothing, upholstery, carpets, and other textiles this way.
During their life cycle, larvae shed microscopic hairs that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in humans. These hairs are very difficult to remove once embedded in fabric. So a thorough sanitizing is necessary not just to control an active infestation but also to get rid of any larval residues.
Hot Water Kills Moths in All Stages
Heating fabric items to at least 120°F is lethal for moth eggs and larvae of all ages and stages. Most residential washers easily reach ideal sanitizing temperatures with settings like Hot, Sanitize, or Heavy Duty.
High heat penetrates deep into the fabric weave to kill pests on both the inside and outside of the garment. Any eggs or larvae hiding in the seams, folds, or interior layers will get wiped out.
The hot agitating water also loosens the microscopic hairs left behind by molted moth larvae so they can be flushed away rather than left clinging to the item.
Adding Laundry Detergent Boosts Effectiveness
While hot water does the heavy lifting, adding laundry detergent to your washer magnifies the moth-killing results. There are a couple reasons how:
1. Extra Cleaning Power
Laundry detergents contain surfactants that break down grease, dirt, body soil and other grimy residues. By dissolving away these contaminants, detergents allow the hot water to penetrate deeper and reach more larvae and eggs for maximum sanitization.
Removing oily stains and skin cell debris also takes away another potential moth attractant from fabrics. Clean items are less likely to draw any new infestations.
2. Insecticidal Properties
Some laundry formulations also contain small amounts of insecticidal ingredients like tetramethrin that provide additional protection against future pest problems after the wash cycle finishes.
While the concentration (.01% or less of the product) is quite low, it can have residual effects on moth larvae that try to munch on freshly washed materials. The insecticide disrupts their nervous system and ability to eat, eventually causing paralysis or death.
Agitation Shakes Out Eggs and Larvae
On top of exposing fabric to hot, soapy water – washing machines also provide physical agitation from spinning and tumbling. The constant motion shakes loose insects, eggs and protective webbing so they can be flushed down the drain.
Agitation is especially useful for dislodging larvae that have burrowed deep inside thick or dense fabrics. The mechanical action helps detach the tiny organisms from where they’ve dug in so the hot water can finish them off.
For severe infestations, multiple hot wash cycles with detergent and drying on high heat maximizes the cleansing and bug-busting effects. The sustained high temperatures and repetitive agitation ensure no stone is left unturned when it comes to moth elimination.
Regular Laundering Prevents Future Problems
Because moths are attracted to soiled, unclean fabrics – maintaining cleanliness through washing is important for preventing future infestations. Here’s some laundry tips to keep moths away:
- Stick to a regular laundry routine so clothes don’t have a chance to accumulate smells, stains or debris that draw hungry insects.
- Check clothing tags and wash with hottest water recommended for the material. Adding bleach is also effective when safe for that item.
- Clean closet floors, shelving, dresser drawers and laundry bins regularly to avoid transferred smells or food residue that could attract moths.
- Store cleaned clothes in sealable containers like plastic bins or zippered garment bags to protect them from new moth infestations, especially over the spring and summer months when populations spike.
By continuing solid laundry habits and containment practices, you can avoid repeat moth issues down the road.
When to Take Extra Precautions
While washing defences most average infestations – severe moth damage or valuable textile items may need professional cleaning or treatment to fully exterminate all life stages. Here’s some clues it’s time to bring in the experts:
- You are still noticing new holes, trails, larvae, or adult moths after multiple hot washer and dryer cycles.
- The item is antique, handmade, or worth more than $500 – like a high quality wool rug. In these cases it pays to have specialists handle pest removal to avoid damage or shrinking effects.
- Someone in the household has a moth allergy or sensitivities. Trying to do-it-yourself could stir up reactions, especially if the infestation has progressed significantly already.
The Bottom Line
Running fabrics through a hot wash is very effective for killing moth eggs, larvae, and even adult moths that get trapped. The combination of heat, detergent, and agitation offered by a typical washing machine destroys all life stages and breaks apart any messy webbing or cocoons to send the nasty evidence down the drain. As an added bonus, keeping materials clean and residue-free makes them less palatable for future moth activity. By using your washer properly and sticking to a regular laundry routine, you can defend your beloved clothes and textiles against hungry moth larvae looking to turn them into home and buffet.
References
Easton, A. et al. (2022). Controlling Clothes Moths. University of Kentucky Extension. https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef612
Rentokil. (2022). How to Kill Moth Eggs in Clothes. https://www.rentokil.com/blog/how-to-kill-moth-eggs-in-clothes/
The Spruce. (2022). How to Get Rid of Clothing (Fabric) Moths. https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-control-clothing-moths-2656353
Laura has had an enthusiasm for laundry ever since she was a teenager experimenting with wash cycles. She went on study textile science in college before working in product testing.
Soon, Laura found friends and family constantly asking her laundry advice, realizing she had become an unofficial laundry guru. The questions kept coming in, so Laura decided to start sharing laundry tips online to help more people. The enthusiastic response led her start the blog “Laundry How”.
Now in her late thirties, Laura uses Laundry How to tackle all kinds of laundry topics – stains, fabric care, detergents, and more. She provides advice from both her studies and experience testing techniques out firsthand. Laura continues to grow an engaged community of laundry learners, feeling fulfilled empowering people to make laundry an easy, confidence-building ritual rather than a dreaded chore.