Clothing Problems in Closets - Stt

I agree with OT, but I only get Rubbermaid containers. They last forever (just like polyester!)

I have a couple of radical suggestions.  Sounds like you might have a lot of clothes, since you don't wear many of them often.  Why not do a major clean out, get rid of anything you don't actually wear regularly.  
I am going to do a major purge and clean one closet at a time. I have four closets and they are pretty big. I clean them out once in a while, but not a deep clean. That's what they need. Don't get the wrong idea, I am clean and clean as much as I can, but hard to keep up in this climate. I'm not dirty. My landlord does a yearly inspection to see if he wants to renew my lease and he is a stickler, when it come to his property.

Special things can be stored in the space bags.  
Buying some space bags.

Then, get the stuff off the closet floor. If it's mostly shoes, do you wear them?  Get a hanging bag or rack of some sort. 
Not just shoes(majority flip flops), but luggage, ice chests, board games, vacuum cleaner, mop, bucket, tools, and anything else you don't want to be seen in your living area. I'm still going to purge and throw away or donate(acceptable items) what I don't need. I'm going to figure out what to buy for shoes.

Have the exterminator spray the closet.
Once all cleaned and organizationed, he will be doing so in the future.

You may be using too many products at the laundry.  I don't understand the fabuloso in the rinse.  Isn't that a cleaning product?  That means you, basically, are rising your clothes in soap...right?  That's not good.  That will attract bugs.  I've read that you can/should only use about half the amount of detergent that the bottle says.  Better for your clothes, better for the environment.
A West Indian woman told me to put a tiny amount of Fabuloso in the first rinse cycle for the smell. It is about a small capfull. I'm going to omit that now and just put a little in the wash cycle. I'll just use fabric softener and fabric softener sheets. I am cutting back on using detergent. I buy the powder detergent.

You can get ready made shelves at Home Depot, but they may be expensive.  You can also get a thin sheet of paneling like material and cut to fit your shelves, then line those with a scented liner.  
The thin paneling sounds like a very good idea. Will unfinished paneling attract bugs? I guess I could paint them.

Can Home Depot cut the paneling for me, if I give them the measurements? Where do I buy the scented liner? I heard contact paper attracts bugs because of the glue.

Hang cedar blocks in the closet. You can get those at Kmart. They smell great, particularly in a closet that doesn't get opened often.
Good idea.

Good luck.
Thanks!  

Let us know how it goes.
Will do.

Juanita, all very good ideas and very through. Thanks!

If you buy space saver bags, buy the best quality. The cheap ones quickly crack and split in this climate. My choice is stackable plastic containers for better durability.

Because my closets are on the larger side, then maybe the durable plastic containers will be a better idea than the space saver bags. :S

This product looks like a good idea and for a good price. 

Translucent elfa Ventilated Shelf Liners.

~Place our Translucent Liners on our versatile elfa Ventilated Shelves. They keep small objects from falling through the wires but still allow light to come in. The three depths correspond to our three depths of elfa Ventilated Shelves and are available in two and three foot lengths. Combine multiple liners as needed to cover the shelf lengths of your particular elfa solution.

Price range: $1.99 -$3.49 depending on size.

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/elfa/components/elfaVentilatedShelving?productId=10007268

They don't ship to US Territories, even though they use USPS 🙁

I'm going to search for a comparable product.

You could also just buy some light weight paneling cut to size to place over the metal wire closet system.
You can cut to fit several pieces of paneling with a utility knife.

The thing about the zip lock space savers is that the don't allow air, bugs, etc. in your belongings due to the vacuum seal. They give you much more room in drawers and shelving.

The also have hanging bags for coats and the dress clothing you may need, occasionally. Just label well.

I'd rather have the vacuum bags over the plastic bins.
Bins won't keep things safe from mold or mildew.

You probably use 10% of what's in a closet on a weekly/ monthly or year round basis.

Items don't have to go in a container or a zip lock as long as in constant use.

Now, you have me thinking, it's time, once again, to go thru my closets and get rid of things I haven't used in the last year!

We all have too much "stuff!"
Be realistic in purging.
If you haven't worn or used something in the last year (or 2), you probably don't need it! Good luck!

Let us know how things turn out!

Bins won't keep things safe from mold or mildew.!

Have to disagree there! I recently re-situated four large rectangular plastic bins with tight-fitting lids which had been untouched for three years - with over two years stashed on a deck on the wet North side simply covered with a tarpaulin. Everything in there - linens, paperwork, files and much more was completely dry, bug-free and as good as when first packed.

You could also just buy some light weight paneling cut to size to place over the metal wire closet system. 
You can cut to fit several pieces of paneling with a utility knife. 
I'm going to check out Home Depot and see what they have that will be acceptable for lining the shelves that won't break the bank.

The thing about the zip lock space savers is that the don't allow air, bugs, etc. in your belongings due to the vacuum seal. They give you much more room in drawers and shelving.

The also have hanging bags for coats and the dress clothing you may need, occasionally. Just label well. 

I'd rather have the vacuum bags over the plastic bins.
Bins won't keep things safe from mold or mildew.
I'm going to use both the space saver bags and plastic bins depending on what needs to be stored and how often it is used.

You probably use 10% of what's in a closet on a weekly/ monthly or year round basis.

Items don't have to go in a container or a zip lock as long as in constant use.

Now, you have me thinking, it's time, once again, to go thru my closets and get rid of things I haven't used in the last year!
Good luck!

We all have too much "stuff!"
Be realistic in purging. 
If you haven't worn or used something in the last year (or 2), you probably don't need it!
Major purge and organization is going to happen. It might take me some time because of an injury and traveling back and forth to the states.

Good luck!
Thanks!

Let us know how things turn out!
Will do.

Thanks for your advice and suggestions! 🙂

Bins won't keep things safe from mold or mildew.!

Have to disagree there! I recently re-situated four large rectangular plastic bins with tight-fitting lids which had been untouched for three years - with over two years stashed on a deck on the wet North side simply covered with a tarpaulin. Everything in there - linens, paperwork, files and much more was completely dry, bug-free and as good as when first packed.

OT, which brand bins do you use?

ms411, recommends Rubbermaid.

Where can I buy the better made bins and space saver bags?

Yep. Have large plastic bins that I keep all my not used stuff in vacuum sealed bags.

While, the bins are closed, there's still evidence of bug intrusion into the bin but not the bags

Whatever works OT. It's not a competition

Ok. I've been typing in different types of Google searches for wire rack shelving lining and one said to use poster board. It's inexpensive. How would that work? Will it attract bugs?

I need a total of 38.5 feet for three closets or 48.5 feet for four closets worth of lining for my shelves with a depth of 1 foot.

Plus I need to invest in the space saver bags, plastic bins, something for my shoes, and other miscellaneous items.
So, can't really buy items that are going to break the bank.

I didn't need all this stuff when I first moved here, but stuff sure does accumulate over the many years, if you let it get out of hand.

Plus I didn't know those wire rack shelves rusted. I thought because they were covered in plastic? material, that they wouldn't rust. Fooled me.

Don't you need a vacuum cleaner for those bags? That's why I never considered them.

I have some clothes that I still haven't worn, but I have them just in case. The hard part is not buying more. 🙂

Beachcomber - can't recall the name of them and the labels have long since worn off but they likely came from either KMart or Home Depot, are good sturdy plastic and have slide-lock covers. My next purchase is going to be one or two of those heavy plastic drawer units they have at CostULess as I bought a couple similar a few years back for kitchen stuff and tools and they've held up beautifully. Again, they're good quality material.
Alana - no "competition" - just disagreed with your blanket statement about mold and mildew as my experience was vastly different and really was quite a test!

What did you do to eradicate your bug eating clothes problem and now doing to prevent it, if anything?

For me, I really think it was the clothes moths doing the damage, but that is only in hindsight. They seemed to really pretty much go away after I painted the interior my house.
Why? Probably because the combination of a super good clean after moving everything about, and (maybe) the little guys are sensitive to the paint/fumes in some way.

If you see these in your house anywhere, you might have the same problem.

This is the Case Making Clothes Moth, and you can read more about them here.

They do sell pesticides/traps for the clothes moth that you should be able to pick up at some place like Home Depot.

OT, thank you for the advice on the bins with the good sturdy plastic and that have slide-lock covers. I will be on the look out for them. I have a couple bins that I bought at Kmart when they were on sale, but they are just the gray ones you click on like you would a lid on a large plastic container of ice cream. I will use them for unimportant items or items that are in space saver bags.

stjohnjulie, thanks for the website about the moths and pesticides to buy.
I'm going to ask my landlord if I can paint my closets the same color after I do a deep clean. I don't think that would be a problem. Then spray and set up some traps.

Once I purge, get rid of a lot of "stuff", deep clean, line shelves, paint, do the ss bags, and bins, I should be good to go. It might take me a little time and some help from a good friend, but it will get done.

Again, I thank everyone who contributed with suggestions and advice. Some of it I knew I should've done and did a few times, but stuff still kept appearing out of nowhere 😀
I cleaned, but I guess it wasn't a deep enough clean 🙁

No, how do I prevent bugs from getting into my flour, cornmeal, & rice even though they are in containers, which I thought had a tight enough seal? :S
I freeze them first and then put them into the containers.

Island life and all it's quirks!

If you see these in your house anywhere, you might have the same problem.

This is the Case Making Clothes Moth, and you can read more about them here.

Julie, THANKS! You solved a riddle that's been puzzling me for over a year now since I found one of these strange things quite by chance on my doormat and carefully set it outside on the deck balustrade. I took a photo of it and assumed it was some kind of odd stick insect - sent it around to a few island friends and nobody had a clue what it was. Mystery solved - and fortunately I've never seen another one!:D

OT has the best containers, but I haven't seen them in years. I wanted them, but couldn't find enough of them. Anyone that "locks" should be good.

No, how do I prevent bugs from getting into my flour, cornmeal, & rice even though they are in containers, which I thought had a tight enough seal? :S
I freeze them first and then put them into the containers.

Freezing things first is a good step to kill any eggs that are already in the food when you buy it. Have to freeze it for a minimum of 4 days. Or if you have the room in your freezer, just store the flours, grains, etc in there until you use them. Bay leaves help too. Put the leaves directly in the flour, grains, etc. You can also just throw some bay leaves in the pantry/cabinets. Weevils don't like bay leaves and it helps keep them away.

No, how do I prevent bugs from getting into my flour, cornmeal, & rice even though they are in containers, which I thought had a tight enough seal? :S
I freeze them first and then put them into the containers.

Freezing things first is a good step to kill any eggs that are already in the food when you buy it. Have to freeze it for a minimum of 4 days. Or if you have the room in your freezer, just store the flours, grains, etc in there until you use them. Bay leaves help too. Put the leaves directly in the flour, grains, etc. You can also just throw some bay leaves in the pantry/cabinets. Weevils don't like bay leaves and it helps keep them away.

Thanks!
Freezing and bay leaves in the cupboards are the steps I just took on Saturday. I know eventually I will run out of space in the freezer and refrigerator, so after freezing I will move them to the refrigerator or large glass containers with tight lids - bay leaves included.

I keep any boxes with rice or other foodstuff, opened bags of rice, sugar, flour, etc., in zip lock bags. I haven't ever frozen any of those items. They keep very well as long as the bags are properly sealed.
If an item you buy has bugs, they can't contamimate the other items or your cupboaads. I keep all the spice jars in the large containers in the refrigerator or freezer to keep them fresh and put what I use regularly in smaller bottles and refill as needed.

we've had ants eat through ziplocks.

Not food related, but we also had fireants eat through a zodiac boat that was stored on the floor in our garage

I keep any boxes with rice or other foodstuff, opened bags of rice, sugar, flour, etc., in zip lock bags. I haven't ever frozen any of those items. They keep very well as long as the bags are properly sealed.
If an item you buy has bugs, they can't contamimate the other items or your cupboaads. I keep all the spice jars in the large containers in the refrigerator or freezer to keep them fresh and put what I use regularly in smaller bottles and refill as needed.

I was freezing or refrigerating them first in original packaging and freezer zip lock bags.
When losing room in the freezer/refrigerator, I transferred
items(still in zip lock bags) to a container and still got bugs.

My refrigerator and freezer look like a pantry, so when I ran out of room some items had to be transferred to containers with tight lids, at least I thought so.
No more plastic containers or tins.
Only using glass containers in the future.

I'm having a run of bad luck or something because I wasn't having any of these problems before :S