How Do You Store Throws and Blankets (and Keep Moths Off Wool)?
Short answer. To store throws and blankets, wash or air them first, make sure they are bone dry, fold them loosely and keep them in a cotton bag or lidded box somewhere dry and dark. For wool, add cedar or lavender, never store it soiled, and shake it out every couple of months.
By Snoozyn · Updated October 2026
Most throws spend half the year out of use. A winter wool throw goes away in April; a cotton muslin one goes away in October. How you put them away decides whether they come back fresh, or creased, musty and, with wool, holed.
This guide covers the routine, the folding, the moth question and the storage containers worth using, fibre by fibre.
Key takeaways
- Every throw should be clean and completely dry before it is stored, because damp leads to mustiness and marks attract moths.
- Clothes moth larvae feed on keratin, the protein in wool, so pure wool, lambswool and merino throws need the most protection.
- Cotton bags and lidded boxes are better than sealed vacuum bags for wool and knitted throws, which lose loft when compressed for months.
- Folding loosely with tissue in the folds prevents hard creases; rolling suits flat-woven cotton.
- Checking stored wool every two to three months is the simplest way to catch moths early.
How do you store throws and blankets so they stay fresh?
Clean them, dry them completely, fold them loosely and put them somewhere dry, dark and not against an outside wall. Those four steps prevent almost every storage problem, from fold lines to musty smells.
- Clean first. Wash cotton and linen at 30°C. Air wool outside on a dry day and spot clean any marks; wash only if needed, following our guide to washing wool without shrinking it.
- Dry completely. A throw that feels dry on the surface can still be damp in the middle, especially a chunky knit. Give it an extra day flat on a rack.
- Fold loosely. Fold in thirds, not tight quarters, and lay acid-free tissue in the folds of wool and knits.
- Bag or box it. Use a cotton storage bag, an old pillowcase or a lidded box. Add a cedar block or lavender sachet for wool.
- Choose the spot. A wardrobe shelf or the top of a cupboard is better than a loft, garage or under-stairs space next to an outside wall, where damp gathers.
- Label and check. Note what is in each box and open the wool ones every two to three months.
The same routine works for spare duvets and bedding; the care steps for cotton and linen are set out in our bedding washing and care guide.
Should you fold, roll or hang a throw?
Fold wool and knitted throws loosely, roll flat-woven cotton and linen, and avoid hanging any throw for long periods. Hanging stretches knits and leaves a ridge across woven throws where they meet the rail.
Knits are the most likely to lose shape. A chunky knit hung over a door for six months will grow longer and narrower under its own weight. Fold it in thirds and store it flat, on top of other things rather than underneath them.
Lay fringes and tassels straight before folding, on the outside of the fold, so they do not knot.
Rolling suits cotton muslin, waffle and linen-cotton throws. It avoids sharp fold lines and lets you stand rolled throws upright in a basket, which also makes them easy to grab.
How do you keep moths off wool throws?
Store wool clean, keep it somewhere dry and disturbed now and then, and use cedar or lavender as a deterrent. Moth larvae feed on keratin in wool and prefer soiled fibres in dark, undisturbed places.
The common clothes moth is small and buff-coloured and tends to flutter rather than fly towards light. The adults do no damage themselves; the larvae do, grazing on wool, lambswool, merino, alpaca, mohair and angora. Food marks make the fibre more attractive, which is why “wash before storing” matters most for wool.
Cedar blocks and lavender sachets are deterrents, not cures. Their scent fades, so sand cedar lightly or replace lavender each season. Pheromone traps in the wardrobe catch male moths and tell you early whether you have a problem. The single most useful habit is to take wool out, shake it in daylight and refold it every couple of months.
Wool blends with polyester or acrylic are less appealing to moths than pure wool, but not immune. Our chunky knit fringed throw, for example, is 10% wool, and its fringe is just as worth checking. Moths also live in rugs, so it helps to look under furniture when you clean a wool rug at home.
Are vacuum bags safe for wool and knitted throws?
Vacuum bags are fine for a few weeks of travel but not for a whole season of wool or knits. Months of compression flattens the loft of wool and chunky knits, and some never fully recover.
They also trap any moisture inside with the throw. If you need to save space, use vacuum bags for polyester-led throws and cotton muslin, and keep wool in cotton bags or a lidded box with a little air around it. Plastic boxes are fine for clean, completely dry throws, ideally with a cotton liner.
Which throws need the most care when stored?
Pure wool, lambswool and merino throws need the most care, followed by wool blends; cotton, linen and polyester-led throws are the easiest. The table below groups our throws by fibre.
| Fibre group | Example in our range | Store by | Moth risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% wool, lambswool, merino | Oat Pure Wool Throw | Fold, tissue, cedar | Highest |
| Wool blends, 50–82% wool | Ink Swirl Wool Blend Throw | Fold, cedar | Medium |
| Polyester-led, some wool | Chunky Knit Fringed Throw | Fold flat | Low |
| Cotton and linen | Four-Layer Cotton Muslin Throw | Roll or fold | Very low |
The key-border lambswool throw with knotted fringe is a good example of a piece worth the extra effort: 100% lambswool, 130×200 cm, with a fringe that is easy to keep neat if it is laid straight before folding. For fibre-by-fibre care, see our care guide, and if a throw comes out of storage with bobbles, our piece on why throws shed and pill explains what to do.
Frequently asked questions
How long can you store a wool throw?
A clean, dry wool throw can be stored for a full season or longer without harm, provided it is protected from damp and checked every two to three months for moths. Air it outside for an hour before using it again.
Do cedar balls and lavender really deter moths?
They help as deterrents, but they do not kill eggs or larvae already in the cloth. Their scent fades within months, so sand cedar lightly or replace lavender each season, and rely on clean storage and regular checks as your main defence.
What are the signs of moths in a wool throw?
Look for small irregular holes, thin patches where the surface looks grazed, fine silky tubes or webbing, and tiny cream-coloured larvae or casings in folds and fringes. Damage is usually worst in the parts that stayed folded and undisturbed.
Can you freeze a wool throw to kill moth larvae?
A widely used method is to seal the throw in a plastic bag, freeze it for at least 72 hours, then let it come back to room temperature slowly before opening the bag. Check the care label first, and wash or air it afterwards.
Is a plastic storage box OK for throws?
Yes, for throws that are clean and completely dry. A lidded plastic box keeps out dust and moths, but it also traps any moisture inside, so never pack a throw that is slightly damp, and line the box with a cotton sheet.
How do you get creases out of a stored throw?
Shake it out and hang it in a steamy bathroom for an hour, or lay it flat for a day. Cotton and linen can be steamed on a low setting. Wool usually relaxes on its own after airing; never iron it directly.
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