I just wanted to tidy up my son’s winter clothes. Nothing special: I took out his jackets, wool sweaters, scarves — all the things that had been neatly folded away since spring. I thought, since it’s getting colder, it’s time to wash everything and get it ready to wear.
The day was sunny and calm, a light breeze gently moving the laundry, and I was happy knowing that after drying, the clothes would smell of fresh air. I hung everything on the line by the fence and went about my chores.
By evening, everything was dry. I took the clothes down and put them in the basket. Then my eyes caught something odd: on the cuff of one of my son’s sweaters were tiny yellow-white specks. Minuscule, like poppy seeds, clustered together in small patches.
At first, I thought it was dust, dried grass, or maybe some pollen. But then — one of the dots moved. A chill ran down my spine.
I brought the sweater inside, turned on a bright light, grabbed a magnifying glass — and realized: they were eggs. Real ones. And not just any kind — moth eggs. They were firmly glued to the threads of the fabric.
Why this is dangerous
Later I learned that moths are drawn to the smell of wool and even faint traces of human sweat — even if the clothes have been washed. When you hang laundry outside, an insect can easily lay eggs on it, especially if the clothesline is near bushes or trees.
And ours happens to be right next to a hedge.
The worst part is, the eggs are almost invisible. If I hadn’t spotted them, within a few days tiny larvae would have hatched — those little pests that chew through fabric from the inside. By the time you notice the holes, it’s too late. Then they spread to everything else in the closet.
What I did
I panicked a little — and took immediate action:
Rewashed everything at the highest possible temperature.
After washing, ironed every single piece through a damp cloth — to kill anything that might still be alive.
Emptied the wardrobe completely, washed all the shelves, and inspected every garment.
Placed lavender sachets and cedar wood pieces in the closet — moths hate those smells.
And I made a decision: I’ll never again dry wool or warm clothes outside. Only indoors or on a closed balcony.
What this taught me
I never imagined that something as harmless as laundry could turn into a threat to an entire wardrobe. It only takes one small thing — a barely visible dot on a sleeve.
Now I always:
Carefully inspect every item after drying,
Pay extra attention to wool, cashmere, and other natural fabrics,
Never put clothes away until I’m sure they’re perfectly clean and safe.
Check your clothes, too. What looks fresh and clean might be hiding a danger.
Better to spend a few extra minutes now than to end up throwing away half your wardrobe later.
