Let me pick everyone's brain on the subject of Wool storage and care.......
I am a self-proclaimed "Wool Fanatic", I mean I love the stuff...!!! I have lots of wool hunting garments (pure/mostly wool) a bunch of wool synthetic blends, and wool "Knit" garments. I also have a wool Bison Gear pack (First Trip Explorer).
My question for you guys today, is how do you store and maintain your wool garments and other wool hunting items for the longest possible life of the item? i.e., protection against mothes, carpet beetles, rodents, moisture problems, rodents, Etc... Etc...???? How do you care for them during hunting seasons, between hunts, and how do you store them long term after the weather permits lighter garments/clothing..???
Thanks in advance for any and all replys.... :)
Keep'em Sharp..... and Good Hunting ...
Anyone?
Off season, I store them in sealed plastic bags in dressers, under my bed, etc. During hunting season, I don't do anything special. Usually air them out for a few days before hunting. During season, I just hang them up at the end of the day, brush off mud and dirt after it dries. Might wash or dry clean a garmet once every three years or so. Been doing it that way for more than 40 years. Haven't had any critters chew on my wool yet.
I just wash it in cold water and let it air dry and either hang it in the closet or leave it in my backpack until needed. Never have dry cleaned any of it. I have never had any issues doing it this way.
i've got one of those plastic bins with the latch top.I stuff everything in there and close it up til next season.
I am a new wool convert and I think I will put mine away for the winter in a plastic bag, or a tub with gallon bags of cedar shavings laid on top of the clothes. I will poke air holes in the gallon bags of cedar shavings. I would DIE if moths eat my Ullfotte' longjohns !!! :scared:
nocams
I bought 15 sets of German surplus wool back in the late 1980's and haven't had any incidences of moths,etc...bothering them. I have one military duffel bag dedicated to the wool items and keep them in there until I need them. They are sealed in plastic garbage bags inside the duffel with a few of the "earth scent" dryer sheets. These and the military wool 5 button gunnery sweaters are about all the wool clothing I have,nothing expensive.
I currently store mine during the off-season in large rubbermaid storage bins. I throw a cedar block in for freshness and as a moth deterrant. It's worked well so far...
Claudia
Cedar chest for almost all of my wool. otherwise I used plastic storage bin with cedar blocks. Always dry clean my stuff which is mostly filson.
Bill
I have mid price to cheaper stuff.(Not that I'd treat it different if I had the top shelf stuff)
Hunting season-Washed in scent free detergent,Hung outside in the entryway after the day's hunt
Not hunting season(But in use)-cold wash in wash machine as needed,hang dry,on a hanger or folded up till needed.
Off season-In the closet on a hanger.I have an upright cedar dresser that I got for storing all my wool stuff,but it's in storage at the moment.When I get a place of my own ALL my wool will live there 24/7.
Thanks for the replies, keep'em coming :)
I put my in plastic bags and then store them in a Rubbermaid plastic tote.
i think most important is that it is put away clear and then the bugs really don't bother it. mine just hang from the ceiling in the basement. some if it is 50 plus years old and not one bug hole. thanks grandpa( have his old pants and buffalo shirt and some lite wool shirts)
I just use a Rubbermaid plastic tote also with the snap on lid. I place about a 1" layer of dirt at the bottom and over that place about 3" of fresh fall leaves. They go back in there dry after every hunt and will stay there now until next fall hunting season starts again. Then I will replace the leaves with fresh ones.
Walmart plastic tubs, Dead Down Wind wool wash.
I keep my wool hanging in the garage during the season and in a rubber maid bin with a bit of cedar in the off season.
ttt
In the spring I hang them out in a nice steady rain, let them dry outside then store them in a cedar chest.