Lavender Sachets for Wardrobes and Drawers
Small bags of dried lavender are an easy way to give drawers and wardrobes a clean, floral smell. They are lovely for scent, but they are not a reliable moth treatment, and here is why.
Tucking a little bag of dried lavender among folded clothes is an old habit, and a pleasant one. When you open the drawer, you get a soft floral smell instead of the flat, closed-in smell that clothes can pick up when they sit for a while.
Many people also hope lavender will keep clothes moths away. That part is less certain. This guide shows you how to make sachets that last, what the evidence says about moths, and how to use them safely in a home with pets.
Why people use lavender sachets
Dried lavender buds hold their scent for a long time, especially in a closed space like a drawer, a chest or a wardrobe. A sachet takes minutes to make, costs very little and has no wax, flame or spray.
They are also handy for suitcases, linen cupboards and shoe boxes, and for putting away seasonal clothes so they smell nice when you take them out again.
Simple Lavender Sachets
You need
- dried lavender budsabout 30 g (1 cup)
- small cotton or linen bags, about 10 x 12 cm (4 x 5 inches), or squares of tightly woven fabric4
- string or ribbon, about 25 cm (10 inches) each4 pieces
- dried rosemary or dried orange peel, for a different scent2 tbsp (optional)
Method
- Spread the lavender buds on a tray and remove any stems or bits of leaf so the sachets stay neat.
- If you are using fabric squares, place about 3 tbsp of buds in the middle of each square, gather up the corners and tie tightly with string. If you are using bags, fill each one about two-thirds full.
- Tie or stitch the sachets closed firmly so no buds can fall out among your clothes.
- Put one sachet in each drawer, or hang one from a hanger in the wardrobe, among clean clothes.
- Squeeze each sachet every few weeks to refresh the scent, and refill them when the smell is gone.
Tips
- Keep sachets from resting directly on pale silk or delicate fabric. Plant material can sometimes leave marks.
- For stored woolens, put clean clothes and a sachet together inside a tightly closed box or bag.
- Make sure the buds are completely dry before you fill the bags.
What the evidence says
For scent, lavender sachets do what you would expect: they make a closed space smell of lavender. The smell is strongest when the buds are fresh and fades over weeks to months.
For moths, the evidence is thin. University of California pest experts say you can put herbal oils in storage containers, but little is known about how well they work. In other words, a lavender sachet should not be your only protection for wool, cashmere or fur.
What does work, according to university extension guidance, is prevention. The damage is done by moth larvae, not adult moths, and they feed mainly on wool, fur and other animal fibers, especially when the items are soiled. Clean clothes before storing them, store them in tightly closed containers, and vacuum wardrobes and drawers regularly. A sachet can sit inside that clean, sealed box as a nice extra.
Pets and skin
The ASPCA lists lavender as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Eating it can cause nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Keep sachets in closed drawers and wardrobes, and do not leave them where a curious pet could chew them open.
Lavender rarely causes trouble when it is just near your clothes, but NCCIH notes that topical lavender products can cause allergic skin reactions in some people. If you notice an itchy rash where scented clothes touch your skin, stop using the sachets and wash the clothes.
Making them last
Use dried lavender buds rather than fresh flowers, which can go moldy in a closed space. Choose a tightly woven fabric so the small buds do not escape.
When the scent fades, squeeze the sachet gently between your fingers to release more of the oils from the buds. Once that no longer helps, empty the old buds into the compost and refill the bag.
Questions people ask
Do lavender sachets keep moths away?
There is little evidence that they do. They make clothes smell nice, but cleaning clothes before storage, sealed containers and regular vacuuming are what protect wool from moths.
How long do lavender sachets last?
Usually a few months. Squeeze them to release more scent, and refill them with fresh dried buds once the smell is gone.
Are lavender sachets safe with cats and dogs?
Lavender is toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, so keep sachets inside closed drawers and wardrobes where pets cannot get at them.
Sources
- Clothes Moths (Pest Notes) — UC Statewide IPM Program, University of California
- Clothes Moths — University of Maryland Extension
- Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Lavender — ASPCA
- Lavender: Usefulness and Safety — NCCIH
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medicines and health conditions. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before trying a herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, giving it to a child, or taking any medication.
