Protecting Wool Wall Hangings

April 4, 2004 2:06 PM

how can we protect a wool wall hanging from being eaten by bugs? we bought this in mexico a couple of years ago, and it's been hanging on the wall in our bedroom. looking at it now, after moving house, it has "bald" patches and holes. we can probably repair the holes to keep it in one piece, but how do we stop further degradation? thanks.

(there's not much point in suggesting commercial chemical solutions by name, as we probably won't be able to find them; we'd like to continue to display it on the wall; also, since it's only been on the wall, it's relatively clean - googling seems to suggest this means it would not be damaged... - and we haven't seen a particularly large number of bugs near the hanging).
posted by andrew cooke to Home & Garden (9 answers total)

I believe peppermint oil has been used as a natural insect repellant. My best guess is that you could dilute it with water and give the rug a spritzing every so often.
posted by pieoverdone at 2:13 PM on April 4, 2004

There are many anti-moth sprays for exactly this purpose. Look for one that says "cortinas" or "ropa".
posted by signal at 3:39 PM on April 4, 2004

Response by poster: ok, thanks, i'll wander round lider tomorrow...
posted by andrew cooke at 4:57 PM on April 4, 2004

Cedar wood also repels bugs, doesn't it? You could hang a few thinner pieces of it behind the cloth, or build a frame out of it or something.
posted by scarabic at 6:02 PM on April 4, 2004

A friend of mine had a similar problem with a small hand-woven rug (approx. 36" x 18"). Being a handy kinda fella, he went to the junkyard and bought an old window (with glass intact) that had been removed from a demolished house. It was nicely weathered, had appealing flaking paint, etc. He used it as the front of a plexiglas box, put the rug inside, and hung the whole assembly. It looks great, you can see the rug, and the moths can't get to it.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 10:28 PM on April 4, 2004

if you can fit it, i'd also suggest putting the wallhanging into your freezer for 24 hours or so to kill any eggs or bugs that are lurking in the wallhanging. cedar shavings or cedar in some form is a great idea too.
posted by gusset at 2:28 AM on April 5, 2004

Response by poster: thanks. it's a bit long and thin for a box, but might go in the freezer...
posted by andrew cooke at 8:05 AM on April 5, 2004

Sunlight will also kill off the eggs.
posted by signal at 10:30 AM on April 5, 2004

There are different bugs that eat wool. Woolmoths are repelled, although not killed, by cedar. The biggest hardware store in my area sells cedar oil in about 3 oz. spray bottles. About $5. I have had quite good results with it. A good rug seller may be able to clean it properly to get rid of any eggs, so you get a fresh start.
posted by theora55 at 3:31 PM on April 6, 2004