Mothproofing Finishes

Wool and other animal hair fibers are attacked by the

larvae of the clothes moth. Wool is also attacked by carpet beetles. Finishes that prevent moth damage can act as insecticides to poison the moth larvae or can alter the fiber in some way that makes the wool unpalatable to moth larvae, thereby starving the grubs.

Mothproofing Finishes
These insecticides finishes are applied in

manufacturing in a dyeing-like process. Older finishes have been mostly replaced by the use of permethrin ( commonly used in insecticidal plant sprays), which is effective at very low concentration, but it is not very fast to wet finishing or laundering.

Simple home methods of moth-damage prevention comprise Daily brushing of apparel after wearing Frequent exposure to sunlight and drycleaning before placing the garments in the airtight storage and cold storage . For additional protection various commercial compounds are available such as napthalene and paradichlrobenzene ( moth balls, flakes and cakes ).

MILDEWPROOFING
Cellulose fibers are particularly susceptible to mildew;

silk and wool are also susceptible , but to lesser extent. Such untreated fabric will become stained, malodorous and eventually deteriorated by the fungus if allowed to remain in a moist condition for a period of time. Antiseptics such as boric acid and carbolic acid , also prevent rapid growth of mildew fungus.

MILDEWPROOFING
One compound that is not easily washed out is a 0.05

percent solution of phenyl mercuric acetate in water. This is one of the most effective mildew proffing agents. Certain organometallic compounds , such as of tin and copper are powerful mildew retardants . Copper imparts a greenish color to fabrics. Certain resin based on melamine formaldehyde are also valuable for mildewproofing.

Antiseptic
This include : Boric acid Phenol PentaChloro Phenol Oxalic acid Salicylic acid Zinc Chloride Zinc Sulphate