How to Store Wool Jumpers Between Seasons

Putting your woollies away for warmer weather? A little preparation can help protect their shape and reduce the risk of moth damage. Start with the care label, make sure everything is clean and completely dry, and choose storage you can check easily.

1. Check before you pack

Lay each jumper out and inspect the cuffs, neckline, underarms and folds. Set aside anything with marks, loose stitching or holes. If you are asking us about cleaning, tell us what you have noticed and whether you have already applied a treatment.

Keep the care label attached. “Wool” describes a fibre; it does not tell you whether that particular garment can go in your washing machine. Follow its washing, drying and professional-cleaning instructions. Woolmark’s washing guide explains the difference between machine-washable and hand-washable wool.

2. Store it clean

A jumper that looks tidy may still carry food residue or body oils. Woolmark recommends cleaning wool garments before long-term storage because these residues can attract moths. Read Woolmark’s care guidance.

Use the cleaning method allowed by the label. For washable wool, choose a suitable wool detergent and follow the garment’s instructions. A wool cycle does not make a “dry clean only” jumper machine washable. If the label is missing, the jumper has delicate trims, or you are unsure about a stain, ask for advice before treating it.

3. Dry completely before closing the lid

For washable knitwear, drying matters as much as washing. Woolmark recommends drying jumpers flat unless their care instructions allow tumble drying. Support the garment on a clean, pale towel or a suitable flat drying surface, gently arrange it into shape, and keep it away from direct sun and heat. Hanging a wet jumper can stretch it under its own weight. See Woolmark’s drying advice.

Do not pack it away while any part remains damp. Check thicker areas such as cuffs and seams as well as the body. Woolmark’s sweater-care guide warns that damp patches in stored garments can lead to mildew.

4. Fold gently and leave room

Fold knitted jumpers rather than leaving them on hangers for months. This differs from woven wool jackets, which can be supported on shaped hangers.

For seasonal storage, place clean, dry knitwear in a clean container with a well-fitting lid. Avoid cramming garments in or compressing them into a solid block. Woolmark advises against vacuum bags for wool sweaters because tight compression can distort their shape and create stubborn creases. Keep the container somewhere cool and dry, away from sunlight. Read the storage section of Woolmark’s sweater-care guide.

Alfie’s view: your winter wardrobe deserves a rest, not a wrestling match with a vacuum bag.

5. Do not rely on cedar or lavender alone

A scented sachet is not a guarantee against clothes moths. University of California pest-management guidance notes that evidence for herbal repellents is limited and cedar’s effectiveness can decline. Clean garments, suitable sealed storage and a clean cupboard are more dependable starting points. Read the university’s clothes-moth guidance.

If you find holes, webbing or larvae, separate the affected items and inspect nearby clothing before packing everything together. Seek advice about both the garments and the storage area. Do not assume ordinary cleaning will repair existing holes or resolve an infestation throughout a wardrobe.

Before you put the box away

Check that every jumper is clean, completely dry and gently folded; the container is clean and closes properly; and the storage spot is dry and away from direct sunlight. Label the box so you can find your woollies without unpacking the whole cupboard.

Need help with a wool garment?

Send us a photo of the item and its care label, with details of any marks, damage or treatments already tried. We can discuss suitable cleaning before you arrange collection.