That feeling when you reach for your favourite designer blouse in your cupboard and find it riddled with unsightly marks and holes… pure agony! You rue the day God created insects and curse the sartorial savages responsible for the damage. Well, at the cost of having my head bitten off, I must point out that it’s kind of your fault too. Sure, pests like months, cockroaches, bugs, mites and carpet beetles have a strong affection for wardrobes. But, getting rid of and keeping them at bay is easier than you think. Here’s how you can keep your wardrobe pest-free.

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Wash up!

Begin by emptying your wardrobe and wiping the surfaces with a diluted soap solution. Let this dry for a few hours. This will prevent future infestations. Alternately, you can use a solution of white vinegar (half cup) and warm water to clean the surfaces. This will also remove strong odours from the cupboard.

Organise and dispose

Keeping your wardrobe clutter-free is important. Organise your clothes into piles: the clothes you use, the clothes you might use and the ones you are likely to never wear again. Learn to part with the ‘never agains’. Put the ‘maybes’ in separate boxes and store them in the loft.

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Keep your clothes clean

Wash and dry-clean clothes thoroughly and regularly. Moths, cockroaches, mites, bugs and other insects tend to leave their larvae inside dirty garments. Let your clothes sun dry at least once a month to keep them germ-free.

Get rid of mold and mildew

Mold and mildew thrive on moisture. So, make sure your wardrobe is moisture-free and the room in which it is placed has proper ventilation. Clean and vacuum clean the wardrobe to get rid of dust and dirt. Remove mold using a vinegar solution and wipe dry.

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Set traps

Place moth/bug traps inside your cupboard. Use small cotton bags with naphthalene as well as balls made out of besan (1 gm), boric powder (1 tsp) and sugar solution (to get rid of cockroaches). Eucalyptus, camphor, dried chilli, dried neem and clove can also be used to lure pests and trap them.

Prevent future infestations

It is not enough to merely get rid of the existing pests- plan for the future. Put some camphor in a bowl of coconut oil and apply the mixture to the walls and corners of your wardrobe. Let this dry completely before you put your clothes back in. Alternately, you can spray a vinegar solution or any other disinfectant before arranging your clothes inside.

Finally, check periodically for infestations and keep pest invasions at bay with regular cleaning.

How do you keep your wardrobe clean? I’d love to hear from you.