Preserving Clothes From Silver fish, Mites and Fungus by Using Neem Leaves.

A Full Grown Neem Tree

Neem Tree Branch with Leaves and Fruits

Normally silk Sari, Sari with Jari work, Woolens, chiffon and other delicate clothes  require delicate handling and protection from silver fish, mite which eats away the fiber and thus rendering the dress unusable.Fungus causes musty smell in the clothes. Naphthalene balls are most commonly used as it evaporates and the vapors do not allow the silver fish ,mite and fungus to breed. But using naphthalene has its own disadvantage as it leaves strong odor on cloths and causes discoloration of the metallic (silver and gold) work (Jari, Zardosi) of the clothes. Nature has provided us with a wonderful anti-pest and anti-fungal plant "Neem". So next time when you are keeping away all the woolens and your other delicate dresses, use Neem leaves.

Direction for protecting clothes form pests by using Neem:

• Pluck fresh green neem leaves.

Fresh Green Neem Leaves

• Shade dry the Neem leaves.

Neem Leaves being shade dried

Shade dried Neem Leaves

•  Take a cloth big enough to wrap your dress.

• Spread the cloth on a plane surface.

• Spread handful of dry Neem leaves on it.

• Place your dress on the leaves.

• Spread handful of dry leaves on the dress.

• Wrap the dress with the cloth and store.

• Even if you do not use the dress for 2-3 years the dress will remain fresh, unaffected by silver fish or any pest, without any odor or discoloration.

• Dry Neem leaves do not leave any color on the clothes

Tips:

• Dry the Neem leaves in shade else the essential oil of the leaves will evaporate reducing the potency of Neem leaves.

Suggested Variations:

• If you do not like the mess created by leaves dropping out while taking out the dress for use, make the pouches and place the pouches one at the bottom of the dress and one at the top of the dress.

http://housekeepingexpert.blogspot.com/2012/10/preserving-grains-using-neem.html

• Pouches can be kept in the pocket of trousers and jackets,

• Pouches can be kept in the Books and clothes Almirah, the musty smell which develops in the Almirah during rainy season will not develop and mite/silver fish will not infest the clothes and books.