Rug Mothproof.

Why moths matter

Moths target undisturbed wool. A rug walked on daily is rarely affected; a rug in a guest room, basement, or storage almost always is. Damage starts at the edges and underside, where the moth larvae feed unseen.

Our treatment

A protective treatment applied after cleaning that makes the wool unattractive to moth larvae. Invisible, odorless after drying, and rated for several years of protection. Recommended whenever a rug is going into storage.

Inspection while you store

Rugs in our climate-controlled storage are inspected periodically for any sign of moth activity. Mothproofing plus active inspection is the strongest protection available.

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Wool rugs in active use rarely develop moth damage — regular vacuuming, sunlight, and foot traffic disrupt the larvae's lifecycle. Moth damage almost always shows up in two specific situations: rugs in long-term storage, and rugs under heavy furniture where they're undisturbed for years. The damage looks like small holes or patches of thinned pile, often discovered when furniture is moved or storage rugs are unrolled.

Our mothproofing treatment uses a fiber-safe insecticide formulated specifically for wool textiles. It binds to the wool fiber and remains active for two to three years under normal storage conditions. The treatment is colorless, odorless after drying, and does not affect dye stability or fiber strength. It is safe for households with children and pets in normal use.

Mothproofing is most effective when applied before storage, after professional cleaning. We recommend it on any wool rug going into storage for more than three months, any rug with prior moth damage history, and any high-value antique that spends extended periods covered or in low-traffic areas. For rugs that already show active moth damage, mothproofing alone won't help — the larvae need to be eliminated through cleaning before treatment, and any damage repaired separately.

Treatment runs roughly $0.40–$0.60 per square foot. Most clients pair mothproofing with cleaning before storage as a combined service.

If you discover active moth damage on a wool rug currently in use, the first step is professional cleaning to eliminate any larvae or eggs in the foundation. We then assess whether mothproofing or repair (or both) is appropriate. For pieces with significant historical or financial value, we recommend documented before-and-after photography in case insurance claims become relevant.

It isn't the adult moths that damage a rug — it's the larvae of clothes moths and carpet beetles, which feed on the protein in wool and silk. They prefer dark, undisturbed places: the underside of a rug under furniture, a closet, or a rug rolled up in storage. By the time you see grazed, low-pile patches the larvae have usually been at work for a while.

Treatment starts with a full wash to remove eggs, larvae, and the soil they feed in, followed by a protective mothproofing application — especially important before a rug goes into storage. We'll also point out the conditions that invited them, since prevention is mostly about light, movement, and cleanliness.

• Grazed, thin patches of pile — often under furniture
• Larval casings, webbing, or sand-like frass in the pile
• Wool and silk are at risk; cotton and synthetics far less so
• Protective treatment before storage to prevent reinfestation