How to Store Your Lona Scott Cashmere Over Summer

Why Moths Prefer Your Cashmere to Your Cotton (And What to Do About It)

Here's something most people don't know: clothes moths aren't actually eating your favourite jumpers because they're hungry for wool. They're after keratin, the same protein found in human hair and nails. Cashmere, being the fine undercoat of goats, is packed with it. Cotton and synthetic fibres? The larvae won't touch them. Which explains why that £120 cashmere V-neck develops holes whilst your H&M t-shirt emerges unscathed.

The common clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella, if we're being precise) can detect keratin-rich fibres from remarkable distances. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae settle into dark, undisturbed areas of your wardrobe. They're not after your cashmere specifically - they just happen to find it delicious.

The One Thing You Must Do Before Summer Storage

Clean everything. Properly.

Moth larvae are drawn to body oils, food residue, and perspiration left on fibres. A seemingly clean jumper that you've only worn twice still carries enough skin cells and oils to attract them. This is particularly true for pieces worn close to the neck - cashmere scarves pick up oils from skin and hair with every wear.

The good news: cashmere loves being washed. Grade A 2-ply cashmere (which is what we use for all Lona Scott pieces) actually softens with gentle washing. Use cool water and a specialist cashmere wash. Never hot water - heat causes the scales on each fibre to lock together, which is what creates felting.

How Often Should You Wash Cashmere?

Wash cashmere every 3-5 wears during active use, and always before long-term storage. Unlike wool, which can go longer between washes, cashmere's fine 15-16 micron fibres trap oils more readily. That soft hand-feel you love? It comes from the fibre's fineness, but it also means more surface area for oils to cling to. A quick 10-minute hand wash in cool water removes oils without damaging the fibre structure.

What Actually Works (And What's Marketing)

Cedar blocks work, but not for the reason most people think. Cedar doesn't repel adult moths - the scent is too weak. What it does do is mask the keratin scent that attracts egg-laying females. You need proper cedar blocks or rings, not those decorative cedar balls that are mostly sawdust and glue. Replace them annually; once the scent fades, they're just nice-looking wooden objects.

Lavender sachets? Lovely smell for humans, completely ignored by moths. The concentration of linalool (the compound that supposedly repels insects) in dried lavender is far too low to be effective.

What does work: a cold, dark, sealed environment. Moths thrive in warm, dark spaces. If you can store your cashmere wraps & stoles and jumpers in breathable cotton storage bags (never plastic - cashmere needs air circulation) in the coolest part of your home, you're ahead of the game. The bottom of a wardrobe in a north-facing room beats a hot loft every time.

The Traditional Approach

Traditional textile mills have been storing cashmere and lambswool for over 200 years. Their method is unglamorous but effective: clean thoroughly, ensure complete dryness (any residual moisture encourages mildew), store in breathable containers with good cedar, and check monthly during peak moth season (May through October in the UK).

One mill manager I spoke to swears by freezing. If you suspect moth presence, seal your cashmere in a bag and freeze it for 72 hours. This kills larvae and eggs at any life stage. Let it come to room temperature naturally before removing from the bag to avoid condensation.

Why This Matters for Your Investment

A well-cared-for cashmere piece should last 15-20 years. That lambswool scarf you bought for £25? With proper storage, it'll outlive most of your wardrobe. The first shearing of young sheep produces fibres around 18-19 microns - finer than most adult wool - which means less pilling and longer wear.

Grade A cashmere (14-16 microns, minimal guard hairs, consistent length) improves with age when properly cared for. The fibres relax and soften. By year five, a good cashmere jumper feels better than it did when new. By year ten, it's irreplaceable.

Proper summer storage isn't about being precious with your clothes. It's about not replacing them.

Browse our full collection of cashmere and lambswool - all built to last decades - including cashmere jumpers, blankets, gloves, and beanies.