Best ways to store/preserve/protect a fiber stash

mzimmerly wrote

on Jun 13, 2012 9:39 AM

Hi to all!

As a long-time knitter, and now a fairly new spinner, my stash now includes not just yarns that need organizing and storage, but lately fleece and fiber.  No way will I be able to quickly get to it all, so I realize that I'd better learn how to safely store it until my spinning and knitting can catch up to my buying.

The rovings, batts and fleeces, both raw and washed, whole and samples, came, almost invariably, in plastic bags: ziplock bags, garbage bags, zippered linen bags, etc..  Should I keep them stored this way on my shelves?  Do they need to "breathe" while they wait for me?  What about moths and other insects?  How do you protect your animal fibers from these, and how do you discourage or prevent an infestation before it gets started?

In the kitchen, I occasionally have to deal with the moths that hatch from meal worms that inevitably come from the grocery store in bags of flour, grits, cornmeal and such.  I keep bay leaves sprinkled on the shelves in my food storage areas, and in the cannisters where the food is stored.  This helps as a deterrent, but sometimes more aggressive means are called for, including throwing out food.  I don't know if these moths are the same that get into and eat through wool, but it seems a similar situation.  Oddly enough, I can put up with throwing out food, but I don't want to have to throw out FIBER!

Any warnings or advice about fiber storage will be most appreciated!

steve104c wrote

on Jun 14, 2012 10:03 AM

You can keep fibers in sealed containers if they are keep cool, dry and out of the sun.  Make sure the fibers are dry before storing. Clear plastic bags or zip locks are good because you can see the fibers. I store my fibers in plastic bags and then the bags in clear Sterlite Plastic Cantainers. They stack really well and I can see  my inventory..............Steve.

mzimmerly wrote

on Jun 14, 2012 6:48 PM

Thanks Steve!

osandypoint wrote

on Jun 24, 2012 7:05 AM

I put lavender in small bags and place them in my stash.  Even if I have roving in a plastic tub with a lid I put some lavender bags in there with it.  You can buy lavender  Ebay and the small cotton bags too.  The lavender is about $ 20.00 for a large bag.  I also grow some for this purpose.  It makes the wool smell clean and keeps out the bugs.