ESSENTIAL OILS WE USE TO REPEL MOTHS
Inspired by the New Forest and with help from a professional perfumier, we have developed a range of anti-moth products which use a blend of eight essential oils. These have created the refreshing and fragrant moth deterrent product range that is available today.
GENTLE BY NATURE
We believe your wardrobe deserves considered care. That’s why our signature blends contain no artificial fragrances, colours or parabens, just beautifully chosen ingredients from natural sources.
INSPIRED BY ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS
Clothes moths have lived alongside people for centuries. Their larvae feed on keratin, a protein found in natural materials such as wool, fur, feathers and hair. Garments that have been worn can be especially inviting, as traces of skin, hair and natural body oils provide an additional food source.
When Julia began exploring how clothing was protected before the development of synthetic chemicals, one theme appeared time and again: cultures around the world turned to fragrant, locally available plants.
The Romans scattered lavender among their linens and valued laurel leaves for their cleansing and protective qualities. The Ancient Egyptians incorporated aromatic herbs into their mummification rituals to help keep insects away. Centuries later, silk traders used patchouli to protect their precious fabrics as they travelled from East to West.
These time-honoured traditions became the inspiration for a distinctly modern approach to wardrobe care.
THE 8 ESSENTIAL OILS WE USE IN OUR PRODUCTS
Julia turned to essential oils, highly concentrated aromatic extracts distilled from plants, to create a natural and beautifully fragrant way to discourage clothes moths.
Following extensive research, she identified eight key oils, each bringing its own character and heritage to the blend:
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MAY CHANG has fragrant lemongrass scented leaves and flowers and is a wonderful aroma that uplifts, cleanses and tones.
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LAVENDER promotes well being in the home with gentle, healing and comforting properties.
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CEDARWOOD is a century old fragrance that cleanses and purifies both the spirit and the home. It calms tension and anxiety and is used as an antiseptic and fungicide. It is one of the most powerful natural ingredients for deterring moths and other insects.
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PATCHOULI was used by silk traders from in the 18th and19th century to prevent moths from laying their eggs on their merchandise.
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THYME is a powerful immune booster and has always been used to relieve colds, coughs, tonsillitis, for relieving muscle aches and pains and to repel moths from clothes and wardrobes.
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LAUREL is a herb of protection. It is a natural fungicide that helps to freshen and cleanse the air, particularly in musty or damp places (more about laurel here)
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ROSEMARY is a medicinal herb used for centuries to ward off infectious diseases. It is also a great insect repellent.
- CLOVE BUD is a spice that has medicinal properties and is a well known insect repellent; it is anti fungal, analgesic and antiseptic, great also for certain digestive problems and for colds and the flu.
THE BIRTH OF THE MAY CHANG BLEND
Julia wanted to create an elegant alternative to traditional chemical treatments, particularly old-fashioned mothballs, with their harsh ingredients and unmistakable lingering odour.
Her vision was for something altogether more beautiful: a bespoke fragrance, unique to Total Wardrobe Care, that would scent the wardrobe while helping to keep clothes moths at bay.
Creating a balanced fragrance is both an art and a science. Each ingredient contributes a top, heart or base note, influencing how the fragrance first appears, how it develops and how long it lingers. To bring her vision to life, Julia collaborated with a qualified perfumier and aromatherapist in the heart of the New Forest National Park.
The result was the May Chang Blend, a beautifully balanced composition with a sweet, zesty character and a gentle hint of spice. It quickly became a favourite with customers and remains our most-loved signature fragrance today.
