Rolling up a rug and putting it in a plastic bag for storage feels safe. But it can actually be risky. Moths love dark, still places like closets and basements and they can quietly destroy wool rugs. Our advice? Keep your rugs in use. If you must store a rug, avoid dark, undisturbed areas of your home.
A Real Rug Storage Mistake (and an Expensive Lesson)
Nearly 40 years ago, I brought back a beautiful handmade rug from the Xinjiang region of China. I used the rug seasonally—when summer arrived, the rug was rolled up, wrapped in plastic, and stored in a basement.
When it came back out? The rug was gone—reduced to what looked like a bag of sand. The culprit wasn’t moisture or flooding. It was moths.
Why Moths Target Stored Rugs
Moths love areas that are dark and have a lack of motion. Unfortunately, these are exactly the conditions created when rugs are stored in basements, closets—even plastic wrapping isn't bulletproof protection. Once moth larvae settle in, damage can happen quietly and extensively before you ever notice a problem.
Plastic wrapping may feel protective, but it often makes things worse: a sealed dark environment that allows moths and larvae to feed undisturbed.
The Best Way to Protect an Area Rug
Our advice surprises many people because it’s simple: Don’t store rugs—use them. Rugs that are regularly walked on, vacuumed, and exposed to light are far less appealing to moths. Movement disrupts larvae, and regular use prevents the quiet conditions moths need to survive.
What about customers with seasonal residences? Rugs may be at higher risk due to periods of vacancy—we can only advise that less darkness and less stillness will be a lower risk for your rugs. You may simply have to live with moth and rug risk.
The Bottom Line on Rug Storage
The main takeaways is that dark + still = moth risk. If you have a rug that matters to you, treat it like a part of your home. Don't hide it away—especially in a dark, still place like a closet or basement.
If you have any questions about area rug storage (or rug durability questions in general) give us a call at 401-214-0285 or visit our showroom. We serve customers throughout Rhode Island and southeastern New England, including Newport, Middletown, Jamestown, Portsmouth, Bristol and more.
About Ken: Ken Fain is the co-owner of Island Carpet in Middletown, RI and a floorcovering veteran of more than 40 years. His popular 'Ask Ken' video series answers common flooring questions on a variety of topics. It has reached thousands of viewers on both YouTube and Facebook.
Get a free quote and measure.
695 West Main Road Middletown
Mon-Fri: 10am-6pm, Sat: 10am-3pm
Ken answers a new question every week! Check out:
