Moth Proof Dry Cleaning Bags Toxic?

August 26, 2013 3:13 PM

My local dry cleaner sells what they describe as moth proof plastic clothing bags. They're blue colored and have a slight chemical smell. You're supposed to twist-tie the tops closed. The dry cleaner says he has no information about them. Anyone know anything about these bags and what the chemical is?
posted by Jackson to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (5 answers total)

It seems as though if you are twist-tying them closed, they're moth-proof simply because the moths cannot get through the plastic. I have never heard of treated plastic bags, but normal plastic ones will smell plasticky. If they were treated, it should be on the packaging.
posted by fiercecupcake at 3:16 PM on August 26, 2013

It would seem that any plastic bag is going to be bug proof.

Stupid question here but... moths don't have mouths, what is the issue with them and clothes?
posted by Cosine at 3:49 PM on August 26, 2013

http://www.livescience.com/33260-why-moths-eat-clothes.html
posted by stenseng at 4:15 PM on August 26, 2013 [2 favorites]

Moth balls are made of naphthalene or 1,4-dichlorobenzene, if that helps. The former smells a bit like tar (and tastes of narcissus flowers, according to the person who first isolated it); the latter you may know as urinal cakes.
posted by teremala at 5:18 PM on August 26, 2013

He's selling these bags but doesn't know anything about them?

I'd do some research on the internet before I packed my closet full of them. It's now recommended that you air out your just-dry-cleaned clothing outdoors for several hours or overnight before you wear it or put it in the same room you sleep in, especially if it has that characteristic dry-cleaned smell.
posted by aryma at 11:28 PM on August 26, 2013