I have some small pieces of wool carpet left over from the installation that I want to keep for possible future repairs. Is there a better way to protect them long term than putting them into a plastic bag with mothballs?
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Dear Fogbound,
I know that people build cedar-lined closets and use cedar chests to protect woolen clothing. While a closet is probably not in the cards, and a cedar chest would likely be too small for your remnants, I have see cedar balls, etc. that might be worth a try. I think the small cedar items are commonly available at some drugstores, some mass retail stores, and some big box do-it centers. I haven't had to try them, so I don't know how effective they are or how to use them in you situation. If cedar is effective, it is probably a better choice than mothballs due to their toxic nature, not to mention the lingering odor that many find unpleasant and difficult to eradicate.
On other idea would be to call Oriental rug stores and see what they might recommend. They probably have a wealth of knowledge on this subject and many might be willing to spend a few minutes with you on the topic.
Hopefully, someone here will have had experience with this and can give you a review and further info. Good luck in protecting that expensive wool carpet that you'll surely enjoy for a long time to come!
Thanks. I appreciate your thoughts. The smell of mothballs reminds me of my grandmother's special occasion coat with the little animals on the collar.
You gave me my first chuckle of the day! I remember that too!
I AM that grandmother. Dear Fogbound, why didn't you TELL me?
My understanding is that cedar and mothballs work differently, and that those little cedar balls are essentially useless for pest management. Mothballs are an effective repellant against little critters (and us) from the odor. Cedar is good against the little bastids because they won't eat through it. So things in a well sealed cedar chest are in pretty good shape. However, if you are just counting on the smell to keep them out, it isn't very effective (though it does smell good). My husband's wool suit was hanging in a cedar closet when they ate it, so I learned this first hand. Interestingly, they left the old Marine uniform that was hanging in the basement alone. At least so far.