Why summer storage deserves a proper plan

There is a particular Saturday in late spring when the wool throws finally feel too warm on the sofa, and the spare bed quilt gets stripped back to sheets. That is the moment to act. Wool, linen, mohair and silk are all at their most vulnerable during the months they sit untouched, because the pests that damage them do their quietest work in the dark, undisturbed corners of a cupboard. A little care now means you can pull everything out in October smelling of cedar and lavender rather than discovering a lacework of holes along a favourite hem.

The good news is that none of this is complicated. It is mostly about cleanliness, airflow and a handful of old-fashioned materials that still outperform anything plastic.

Clean first: moths love a dirty blanket

Moth larvae feed on protein fibres, but what draws the adult moth in is the smell. Perspiration, skin cells, hair oils and food traces all linger in a wool blanket or a linen cushion cover, and those residues are a strong invitation. Storing anything unwashed is the single most common mistake.

• Woollens and lambswool: hand wash or use a gentle wool cycle at 30°C with a pH-neutral wool detergent. Never wring or tumble dry.
• Linen and cotton: a normal 40°C wash is fine, and linen actually improves with it. Line dry in shade to keep colours true.
• Silk and embroidered pieces: hand wash cool with a mild soap, or spot clean and air thoroughly if you are unsure.
• Dry thoroughly: any lingering damp is fatal. Dry flat on a towel, reshape while damp, and give everything a full day of air before folding.

If an item is genuinely too delicate to wash, a good airing on a breezy, overcast day followed by a thorough brush will remove a surprising amount of dust and dander. Sunshine is tempting but direct sun will fade indigo, madder and walnut dyes quite quickly.

Fold, roll and pad: how to put a blanket away

Creases set over time, and a sharp fold pressed into a heavy wool blanket for five months can leave a permanent line. Where you have the space, roll blankets and throws around a cardboard tube or a rolled cotton sheet. Where folding is unavoidable, fold along different lines each year and pad the creases with crumpled acid-free tissue.

Cushion covers should be washed, pressed lightly and stored flat or rolled, with the inserts kept separately. Feather and down inserts benefit from a good airing and a gentle shake before being bagged — never compressed. Natural-dyed textiles should be stored out of daylight entirely, as the colours are beautiful but not always lightfast.

Choose breathable covers, not plastic

It is tempting to reach for vacuum bags and plastic crates, and it is exactly the wrong move. Wool needs to breathe. Sealed plastic traps any residual moisture, encourages mildew and creates a warm, humid microclimate that moths adore. Vacuum bags also crush the loft out of wool fibres, and a blanket that has been flattened for six months rarely recovers its spring.

• Cotton dust bags or pillowcases: the simplest and best option. A clean, washed cotton pillowcase tied at the end protects a folded blanket beautifully.
• Cotton sheet bundles: for larger quilts, wrap in a washed cotton sheet and secure with cotton tape rather than elastic.
• Linen storage bags: excellent for cushions and smaller textiles, and they look lovely stacked on an open shelf.
• Avoid cardboard boxes long-term: they are acidic, absorb damp and make cosy homes for silverfish.

Cedar, lavender and other gentle deterrents

Cedar blocks and lavender bags are the traditional answer for good reason: they smell wonderful and they genuinely deter. Cedar works while it still has a scent, so refresh blocks with a light sanding each year. Lavender should be replaced annually, once the fragrance fades.

Other useful additions include dried rosemary, bay leaves and cloves in small cotton sachets. What you should avoid are synthetic mothballs, which are unpleasant, persistent and best kept away from a home where anyone sleeps near the linen cupboard. A few drops of cedarwood or lavender essential oil on a cotton pad, tucked into the bag, will top things up between refills.

Where to keep them — and when to check

The ideal spot is cool, dark, dry and well ventilated. A bedroom cupboard is usually fine. A damp loft, a cold garage or a sealed box under a bed against an outside wall are all risky, because temperature swings cause condensation.

• Leave a little space between bags for air to move.
• Keep storage away from radiators, hot water tanks and sunny windows.
• Check everything once a month — unzip, unfold, look along the seams, then repack.
• Rotate and refold periodically so creases do not set.

Come autumn, air everything outside on a dry, breezy day before it returns to the sofa or the spare bed. A quick shake, a brush down and a fresh lavender bag will see your blankets and cushions straight through to next spring, soft, sweet-smelling and entirely hole-free.