How to Store Wool Sweaters for Summer (and Keep Moths Away)

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By Sarah J. · Last reviewed: 26 June 2025. Brand details were checked on each brand’s own website.

How to store wool sweaters: wash or air them so they are clean and completely dry, fold them rather than hanging, and keep them in a breathable cotton bag or lidded box somewhere cool, dark and dry. Add cedar to deter moths and check on them every few weeks through summer.

Why storage matters for wool

Wool lasts for years if it is stored well, but two things can ruin a favourite jumper over one summer: moths and misshapen shoulders. Toad&Co’s sweater team points out that food stains are one of the first things moths go for, and Unbound Merino advises folding merino sweaters in a drawer or on a shelf rather than hanging them for long periods. Both points come up again and again in brand care advice.

Step 1: Clean before you store

Even a sweater that looks clean carries body oils and tiny food traces. Hand wash it in cool water with a wool wash, or follow the care label; our guide on how to hand wash a wool sweater walks you through it, and mohair has its own routine in our guide to washing mohair. In its sweater care tips, Toad&Co’s sweater specialist says she washes sweaters before storing them for the season, and its design director suggests laying sweaters out in the sun on a dry day to freshen them before packing them away.

Step 2: Make sure they are completely dry

Damp wool in a closed box can smell musty or grow mildew. After washing, dry knits flat for a full day or two, then leave them out an extra few hours to be sure.

Step 3: Fold, never hang

Unbound Merino recommends storing merino sweaters folded in a drawer or on a shelf, especially heavy ones, to avoid stretching. Fold the sleeves across the back, then fold the body in half or thirds. Place heavier knits at the bottom of a stack and fine knits on top.

Step 4: Choose the right container

Storage option	Pros	Cons
Cotton or linen storage bags	Breathable, keeps dust off	Not fully moth-proof if left open
Lidded fabric boxes	Stackable, breathable, tidy	Check seams and lids fit well
Vacuum bags	Save space	Can crush fibres and trap moisture; avoid for long periods
Sealed plastic tubs	Good pest barrier	Make sure knits are bone dry; add a cotton liner

Step 5: Deter moths naturally

• Add cedar balls or blocks. Toad&Co’s design director uses a cedar ball, a natural alternative to mothballs, in storage containers.
• Lavender sachets add a fresh scent; the brand’s sweater specialist adds a few drops of lavender oil to the wash water before storing.
• Refresh cedar by lightly sanding it each season so the scent stays strong.
• Vacuum drawers and wardrobe corners before you fill them.

Step 6: Check in through the summer

Every few weeks, open your storage and look for small holes, webbing or larvae. If you spot any, wash the affected pieces, clean the container and replace the cedar. Catching moths early is the difference between one darned sleeve and a ruined collection.

Storing sweaters between wears in winter

• Air knits on a chair or drying rack overnight before folding them away.
• Remove pills with a sweater comb before they spread.
• Rotate jumpers so no single one gets worn under a bag strap every day.

A quick note on cardigans and fine-gauge knits: they stretch even more easily than chunky jumpers, so give them the top of the stack and fold them loosely around a sheet of tissue paper to avoid sharp creases.

Storing hand-knit hats too? Read our French Knot brand spotlight for the brand’s own accessory care tips.

For more help with knits, browse our Cozy Knitwear section or revisit our guide on how to wash merino wool.

FAQ

Bottom line

Store your wool sweaters clean, dry and folded, give them breathable storage and a little cedar, and check on them now and then. Next autumn they will come out ready to wear.