How to Make Natural Moth-Repellent Clothes Hangers

Many herbs such as southernwood, lavender, peppermint, and tansy have been used for centuries to repel insects, and moths are no exception. No one likes the smell of mothballs on their clothing; however combining insect repelling herbs with herbs that are pleasing to the senses is a great way to protect your clothing while making your closet smell wonderful. One way to do this is by making natural moth-repellent clothes hangers. Not only do these hangers repel moths and fill your closet with an aromatic fragrance, the satin fabric used to make the hangers gives it a Victorian look.

Materials need to make natural moth-repellent hangers:

-Two yards of satin blanket binding (pressed open) or ribbon, two inches wide. You can also buy satin fabric by the yard and cut it into strips, two yards long and two inches wide.
-One wooden hanger
-12 inches of one-half inch wide ribbon
-Fabric glue
-One bag of fiberfill

Equipment need to make natural moth-repellent hangers:

-Iron
-Yardstick or measuring tape
-Needle and matching thread or sewing machine
-Scissors

Moth-repellent Filling

-One-half cup of cedar shavings
-One-fourth cup of southernwood
-One-fourth cup of rosemary
-Five drops of lavender oil

Mix all ingredients and let age for 3 weeks before using in hangers.

Instructions

Measure the wooden hanger from the center to one end and cut four pieces of the satin one-inch longer than what you measured. Press under one end of each strip, one-half inch. Place two strip pieces right side together and stitch a one-half inch seam allowance all the way around, leaving the pressed end open. Do the same with the other two strips and turn right side out. Slip one satin tube on one end of the wooden hanger and the other tube on the opposite side. Fill with the herbal mixture and fiberfill, and use tiny, close stitches to join the two tubes together in the center.

Wrap the hanger hook with the smaller ribbon, gluing it in place as you go. Start where the hook joins the wood and work upward toward the end of the hook, and then back down again. Cover the tube seam where it was stitched together with the small ribbon and glue it in place. With the remaining ribbon, tie a small bow. Your clothes hanger is now ready to use.

Other pleasing herbs to mix with moth-repellent herbs are whole cloves, dried lemon peel, black peppercorns, thyme, and lemon verbena. You can also mix dried fragrant flowers with the moth-repellent herbs.

Source: Herbal craft seminar at Ozark Folk Center, Mountain View, AR.