There’s a winged menace lurking in your wardrobe. No, not that shirt from 2012. We’re talking about something truly sinister—something with tiny wings, a hunger for wool, and absolutely no respect for vintage knitwear.

That’s right: moths. Not the poetic, fluttery kind you see bumping into porch lights. We’re talking about clothes moths, their nasty little larvae, and the very real epidemic currently sweeping across homes. And while Mothman might just be a cryptid from West Virginia folklore, the rise in actual moth sightings in your jumper drawer? Horrifyingly real.

The Mothpocalypse Is Upon Us

From April to May this year, moth-related calls to Rentokil Pest Control jumped 110%. That’s not a small uptick—that’s a full-blown infestation frenzy. While May’s unusually warm weather played a role, pest experts are also pointing fingers at… you guessed it: our laundry habits.

A survey of over 2,000 found that more than half of us are now washing our clothes at 30°C, a shift from even five years ago. Good for energy bills? Sure. Good for the planet? Potentially. Good for stopping fabric-hungry larvae from hatching in your closet? Absolutely not.

Why Moths Are Obsessed With Your Stuff

Here’s the science: moth larvae are basically protein junkies. They feed on keratin, a natural protein found in animal-based textiles like wool, silk, and fur—aka your nicest clothing. And if your clothes are dirty, especially around sweaty areas (sorry, armpits), you’re basically serving them moth caviar.

Combine that with lower-temp washes that don’t kill off eggs or larvae, and suddenly your favorite cardigan becomes a buffet line for six-legged squatters.

And don’t think they’re just going after your clothes. They’ll burrow into old carpets, forgotten furs in the attic, even felt lining inside pianos. They’re thorough. They’re patient. They’re petty.

Enter: Mothman

Now, imagine all of this was the work of a single cryptid—one stylish, sweater-shredding shadow flitting through the city in search of unsealed wool. Would you be surprised if Mothman showed up wearing your cashmere? Probably not.

Think of him as the face of a very real, very fabric-based crisis. He’s not here to warn you of doom—he is the doom, chewing holes through your best jumper while you’re out air-drying your delicates.

How to Defeat Mothman (and His Army of Larvae)

Let’s get serious (but not too serious—it’s still laundry):

• Don’t store dirty clothes. Moths love sweat and body oils. You’re basically marinading their dinner.
• Seal your good stuff. Wool, silk, and anything remotely luxurious should be stored in sealed garment bags. No drawstring canvas sacks, please.
• Crack open the furniture fortress. Dark corners behind beds and cabinets are moth breeding hotspots. Vacuum like you mean it.
• Go warm when you can. Wash above 48°C when the fabric allows. Or better yet, use the dry cleaner—a luxury, yes, but cheaper than replacing half your wardrobe.
• Inspect your carpets and lofts. Got a dusty piano or an old wool rug? You may be harboring fugitives.

Weirdly Personal, Weirdly Serious

At The Laundry Club, we’ve long championed better habits and conscious care—because what you wear (and how you treat it) says a lot about who you are. But this one? This one’s not just about sustainability or style. It’s about defending your territory. Don’t let something with the wingspan of a thumbnail and the metabolism of a gremlin eat your closet alive.

Whether you believe in Mothman or not, the threat is real. And unlike your ex, these creatures won’t just ghost you—they’ll linger, breed, and nibble your sentimental sweaters down to threadbare tragedy.

Stay alert. Stay sealed. And maybe check your knitwear before bed.

Mothman’s watching.

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Support The Laundry Club Blog – If this post saved even one of your sweaters from becoming Mothman’s midnight snack, toss a coin in the laundry jar. I promise to keep the lights on—and the moths terrified.