How to Protect Stored Clothes from Moths Naturally with Cedar

Last Updated on August 16, 2026 by Ellen Christian

There is nothing more frustrating than pulling your favorite sweater, winter coat, or special occasion dress out of storage and discovering tiny holes that were not there when you packed it away.

If you store seasonal clothing for months at a time, protecting it from moths should be part of your clothing storage routine. The good news is that you do not necessarily need to fill your closet with harsh-smelling products to help protect your clothes.

Cedar has long been used as a natural way to help repel moths and other insects from clothing storage areas. But, like many things around the house, cedar can lose some of its effectiveness over time if its scent begins to fade.

That is where a combination of cedar canisters and cedar-enhancing spray can make a simple seasonal clothing storage system even more useful.

I recently received the Dr. Killigan’s Cedar Canisters and Dr. Killigan’s Cedar Ward Enhancing Spray, and they inspired me to take a closer look at how cedar can fit into a practical clothing storage routine.

Why Moths Can Be a Problem in Stored Clothing

Moths are especially frustrating because you may not realize there is a problem until you take your clothing out of storage.

Certain moth species are attracted to natural animal fibers and can cause damage to items such as:

• Wool sweaters
• Cashmere
• Silk
• Fur
• Feather-filled items
• Clothing or textiles containing natural fibers

Clothing that sits undisturbed for long periods can be particularly vulnerable. That makes seasonal storage an important time to think about protecting the things you do not wear every day.

If you are like me, you probably have at least one closet, storage bin, dresser drawer, or under-bed container filled with clothing that will not see the light of day for several months.

Why Cedar Is Popular for Clothing Storage

Cedar has been used in closets, chests, drawers, and other storage areas for generations.

The distinctive scent of cedar comes from its natural oils. Those aromatic compounds are one reason cedar is commonly used as part of a moth-repelling clothing storage routine.

But cedar is not necessarily a “put it in the closet and forget about it forever” solution.

Over time, the scent of cedar can fade. When that happens, your cedar products may need to be refreshed.

This is one reason I like the idea of pairing reusable cedar storage products with a product designed specifically to enhance the cedar aroma.

Dr. Killigan’s Cedar Canisters for Clothes Storage

The Dr. Killigan’s Cedar Canisters are designed to make it easy to add cedar to areas where you store clothing.

Instead of dealing with loose cedar pieces scattered around your closet or drawers, canisters offer a more contained option.

Depending on how you organize your clothing, cedar can be useful in places such as:

• Bedroom closets
• Dresser drawers
• Sweater storage areas
• Seasonal clothing bins
• Storage containers
• Linen closets
• Under-bed clothing storage

I especially like products like this for people who store clothing in several different places throughout the house.

Rather than installing an entire cedar-lined closet, you can add cedar protection to the spaces you already use.

That can be particularly helpful if you live in an older home with limited closet space. Sometimes you simply have to store things wherever they fit!

What Happens When Cedar Loses Its Scent?

One of the biggest complaints people have about cedar products is that eventually they stop smelling strongly like cedar.

That does not necessarily mean you need to throw them away and start over.

The Dr. Killigan’s Cedar Ward Enhancing Spray is designed to refresh cedar products by enhancing their cedar aroma.

This can be especially useful if you already use cedar products in your closets or storage areas and want to maintain their scent rather than continually replacing them.

Think of it as giving your cedar storage products a little refresh.

For busy households, I appreciate anything that helps make home maintenance a little less wasteful and a little easier.

My Simple Seasonal Clothing Storage Routine

If you want to help protect clothing from moths without turning seasonal clothing storage into a huge project, try this simple routine.

1. Wash or clean clothing before storing it

Before packing away sweaters, coats, scarves, and other seasonal clothing, make sure everything is clean.

Food particles, body oils, and other residue can attract insects and may also cause stains to become more difficult to remove over time.

Do not assume that something needs washing only because it looks dirty. Clothing that appears perfectly clean may still have traces of things that insects are attracted to.

2. Check for clothing that needs repair

Before putting seasonal clothing away, look for:

• Loose buttons
• Small holes
• Loose seams
• Broken zippers
• Stains

It is much easier to make a quick repair before storing something than to pull it out six months later and discover that you forgot about it.

3. Choose a clean, dry storage area

Moisture can create an entirely different set of problems when you store clothing.

Try to avoid storing valuable clothing in areas that are damp, excessively humid, or prone to water problems.

If your basement is the only place you have for seasonal storage, make sure clothing is stored in appropriate containers and protected from moisture.

4. Add cedar to your clothing storage areas

Once your clothing is clean and ready to store, add cedar canisters to the appropriate storage spaces.

This can be especially useful for natural-fiber clothing that will remain untouched for months.

You may want to think about where you have the most vulnerable items rather than simply putting cedar in one location and hoping it protects everything in the house.

For example, your cashmere sweaters stored in one closet may need more attention than your everyday cotton T-shirts.

5. Refresh your cedar when needed

If your cedar products begin to lose their distinctive scent, consider refreshing them rather than automatically replacing them.

The Dr. Killigan’s Cedar Ward Enhancing Spray can be used as part of your regular clothing storage maintenance routine.

I would add this task to your seasonal cleaning checklist. When you switch your wardrobe from summer to fall or winter to spring, take a few minutes to check your storage areas and refresh your cedar products if needed.

The Best Times to Protect Clothes from Moths

You do not need to wait until you see signs of moth damage to think about protecting your clothing.

These are good times to add cedar to your storage routine:

When You Pack Away Winter Clothes

Heavy sweaters, wool clothing, scarves, and coats may sit untouched for months.

Before packing them away for the season, make sure they are clean and place cedar protection in the storage area.

When You Store Special Occasion Clothing

Wedding clothing, formal dresses, vintage clothing, and other items that are rarely worn can spend years sitting in closets.

These are exactly the types of items that are easy to forget about.

When You Buy Vintage or Secondhand Clothing

If you enjoy thrift shopping, estate sales, or buying vintage clothing, you may want to pay extra attention to how you store natural-fiber items.

A little preventative organization can be easier than discovering damage later.

During Your Seasonal Closet Cleanout

A closet cleanout is the perfect opportunity to inspect clothing, vacuum storage areas, wash items that need cleaning, and check your cedar products.

Don’t Forget About These Other Household Items

Your clothing may not be the only thing worth protecting.

Depending on the materials, you may also want to think about your:

• Wool blankets
• Natural-fiber throws
• Handmade quilts
• Silk scarves
• Feather-filled items
• Vintage textiles
• Heirloom clothing
• Costume pieces

If something is valuable, sentimental, expensive, or difficult to replace, it is worth taking a few minutes to think about how it is stored.

A Small Step That Can Help Protect Expensive Clothing

Replacing damaged clothing can get expensive quickly.

And sometimes the most frustrating items are the ones you cannot simply replace by ordering another one online.

Maybe it is your favorite cashmere sweater. Maybe it is a vintage coat you found at a thrift store. Or maybe it is something that belonged to a family member.

Adding cedar to your clothing storage routine is a relatively simple step that can help you be more proactive about protecting the items you already own.

I also like that the combination of cedar canisters and a cedar-enhancing spray encourages a more reusable approach. Instead of treating cedar as something you use once and throw away, you can maintain it as part of your regular home organization routine.

Where to Find Dr. Killigan’s Cedar Products

If you are getting ready to switch seasonal wardrobes, organize a closet, or pack away sweaters and other natural-fiber clothing, these are two products worth considering:

Dr. Killigan’s Cedar Canisters
Find them here.

These are a convenient option for adding cedar protection to closets, drawers, and other clothing storage spaces.

Dr. Killigan’s Cedar Ward Enhancing Spray
Find it here.

This spray is designed to enhance and refresh cedar products when their aroma begins to fade.

Make Moth Prevention Part of Your Seasonal Routine

The easiest way to stay on top of clothing storage is to make it part of something you are already doing.

When you switch your wardrobe for a new season:

1. Clean the clothing you are putting away.
2. Repair anything that needs attention.
3. Check your storage containers and closets.
4. Add or check your cedar canisters.
5. Refresh your cedar when needed.
6. Make a note to check everything again during your next seasonal clothing switch.

It only takes a little planning, and it may help protect clothing that you would hate to discover damaged later.

For me, that is exactly the kind of home maintenance task I like: simple, practical, and easy to fit into something I am already doing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar and Clothing Storage

Can I use cedar to protect clothes from moths?

Cedar is commonly used in closets, drawers, and clothing storage areas as part of a moth-repelling storage routine. For best results, keep clothing clean and regularly inspect stored items and storage areas.

What clothes are most vulnerable to moth damage?

Moths can be particularly attracted to natural animal fibers, including wool, cashmere, silk, fur, and feathers.

How often should I check stored clothing?

A seasonal check is a simple place to start. Inspect clothing when you switch wardrobes and periodically check items that remain stored for long periods.

What should I do when my cedar stops smelling?

Cedar can lose its noticeable aroma over time. A cedar-enhancing product can help refresh cedar products as part of your regular storage maintenance routine.

Can I use cedar in drawers and storage bins?

Cedar products can be useful in a variety of clothing storage spaces, including drawers, closets, and storage containers. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for the specific product you are using.