Do you also have clothes forgotten at the bottom of your closet? The ones you promise yourself you will wear one day, but they end up buried behind old boxes? That was exactly my situation… until I came across something as unexpected as it was unpleasant.

A Shocking Discovery

One rainy Sunday, I decided to sort through my winter clothes with the goal of giving a second life to my almost-new sweaters. They had spent several winters tucked away, untouched. But when I pulled them out, a surprise awaited me. Tiny reddish balls, slightly oval, were scattered on one of my favorite sweaters.

At first, I thought they were dried berries or seeds that had fallen in by accident. But to the touch, they felt rough, almost like small gravel. The smell was even worse. Let’s just say it made me hold my breath.

Curious, I searched online for answers. The shock was immediate. Those little balls were not plant-based at all. They were rodent droppings, colored because of an old pest control product I had forgotten I used in the same cupboard years earlier. The thought of these creatures chewing on my clothes while I was none the wiser made me feel sick.

Inspecting further, I found a small hole in the sleeve of another sweater. At the bottom of the wardrobe were bits of thread, cotton, and even pieces of chewed paper. The tiny intruders had built themselves a cozy nest right in my warmest clothes. Sadly, I had to throw away not only sweaters and scarves but also a few sentimental items. After that, I cleaned everything thoroughly—scrubbing, disinfecting, and airing out the space until my closet felt safe again.

Lessons Learned

We often think this kind of mishap only happens to other people. Here is what I learned and what you should keep in mind:

• Do not let clothes sit for years without checking them.
• Air out your closets at least every change of season.
• Store seldom-used items in airtight containers.
• Remember that old pest control products can still have effects long after use.

Since that day, my closet is under close watch, equipped with discreet prevention measures. I also make it a habit to sort and check my clothes more regularly.

Sometimes, it only takes one small but strange discovery to completely change the way you organize your home.