Swedish Red Cedar Wood & Oil for Wardrobes and Storage
Red cedar has a long tradition of use in wardrobes, drawers, clothing chests and the storage of wool and other natural textiles. Its characteristic warm, woody aroma comes from naturally occurring aromatic compounds within the wood and its essential oil.
At RedCedar, we combine 100% solid red cedar wood with 100% pure cedar oil. Suitable unfinished cedarwood products are reusable and can often be refreshed when their natural aroma becomes less noticeable.
What is red cedar?
The red cedar traditionally associated with wardrobes, cedar chests and clothing storage is often Eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana. Despite its common name, it is botanically a juniper within the Cupressaceae family.
Red cedar is particularly known for its distinctive warm, woody aroma. This comes from naturally occurring volatile compounds found within the wood and its essential oil.
For generations, cedarwood has been used in wardrobes, drawers, chests and other storage spaces for clothing, wool and natural textiles. Its long association with textile storage is also one reason cedarwood and cedar-derived oils have been investigated in entomological research.
What occurs naturally in red cedar oil?
The chemical composition of cedar oil varies between cedar species and can also be influenced by the origin of the wood and the method used to obtain the oil.
Oil from Juniperus virginiana, for example, naturally contains aromatic compounds including alpha-cedrene, beta-cedrene, thujopsene, cedrol and widdrol.
These naturally occurring compounds contribute to the characteristic aroma associated with red cedar.
This also helps explain why products sold simply as “cedar” can differ considerably. The wood species, proportion of aromatic heartwood, purity of the oil and any dilution or added fragrance can all affect the resulting product.
Why cedar quality matters
Products described as cedarwood or cedar oil are not always equivalent. Some may use different woods, diluted oils, carrier oils, compressed fibres or added cedar fragrances.
RedCedar oil is 100% pure cedar oil. It is not diluted with water or blended with a carrier oil, so only a small amount is normally needed when refreshing suitable cedarwood pieces.
Our cedarwood products are made from 100% solid red cedar wood rather than MDF, compressed fibreboard or fragrance-coated imitation wood.
- 100% solid red cedar wood
- 100% pure cedar oil
- No added artificial cedar fragrance
- Reusable cedarwood formats
- Suitable unfinished pieces can be refreshed by light sanding or cedar oil
Which cedar product is right for each storage space?
Different cedar formats work well in different types of storage. The aim is usually to distribute cedar throughout the space rather than placing every piece in one corner.
| Product format | Best for | How to use it | Care and refreshing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blocks and cubes | Wardrobe shelves, drawers and storage boxes | Distribute them around folded clothing or position them in several parts of the storage space. | Refresh suitable unfinished pieces by light sanding or with pure cedar oil. |
| Balls and discs | Drawers and compact storage spaces | Place them beside or between folded garments where practical. | Keep recently oiled wood away from direct fabric contact until completely dry. |
| Rings | Hanger hooks and wardrobe rails | Slide the rings over hanger hooks so cedarwood is positioned close to hanging garments. | Remove them from the wardrobe before sanding or applying oil. |
| Hanging cedarwood pieces | Wardrobes and clothing storage | Hang them between garments or from the wardrobe rail. | Refresh suitable unfinished wood when the natural aroma becomes faint. |
| Cedarwood hangers | Coats, jackets, suits and suitable woven garments | Use them as normal supportive clothes hangers, choosing the correct shape and width for the garment. | Check periodically that the wood remains smooth and free from rough edges. |
| Sachets and cedar shavings | Shoes, bags, drawers and smaller storage spaces | Position them where the cedar aroma is wanted while allowing normal airflow. | Follow the individual product instructions for refreshing or replacement. |
| Cedar oil sprays and drops | Refreshing suitable unfinished cedarwood products | Apply a small amount to the wood away from clothing. | Allow the wood to absorb the oil and dry completely before returning it to storage. |
Explore solid cedarwood products for wardrobes and storage.
Why does cedarwood lose some of its scent over time?
The characteristic cedar aroma comes from naturally occurring volatile compounds within the wood. These are gradually released from exposed surfaces, so the scent naturally becomes less noticeable with time.
A fading aroma does not necessarily mean that the cedarwood needs replacing. Suitable unfinished cedarwood can often be refreshed and reused.
How to refresh cedarwood
Suitable unfinished cedarwood can generally be refreshed in two practical ways: light sanding or the application of pure cedar oil.
Refreshing cedarwood by sanding
- Remove the cedarwood from the wardrobe, drawer or storage box.
- Lightly sand the exposed unfinished wood surface using fine sandpaper.
- Remove all sanding dust.
- Check that the surface feels completely smooth.
- Return the cedarwood to storage once it is clean.
Light sanding exposes a fresh layer of wood and can make its natural cedar aroma more noticeable again.
Refreshing cedarwood with pure cedar oil
- Remove the cedarwood piece from the storage area.
- Place it on a protected, non-porous surface.
- Apply a small amount of 100% pure cedar oil.
- Spread the oil evenly across the wood and avoid excessive application.
- Allow the oil to absorb into the wood.
- Let the cedarwood dry completely before returning it close to clothing.
Pure cedar oil is concentrated, so start with a small amount. Applying excessive oil does not automatically provide a better result and may increase the risk of marking fabrics or other absorbent surfaces.
Shop 100% pure cedar oil for refreshing cedarwood.
How should cedarwood be used with wool and cashmere?
Wool, cashmere and other natural textiles should be clean and completely dry before longer periods of storage.
Food marks, skin oils, hair, lint and accumulated dust should not be left on garments or throughout the storage area for extended periods.
Knitted garments such as jumpers and cashmere are often best stored folded to avoid stretching at the shoulders. Woven coats, jackets and suits can be placed on supportive hangers when their individual care labels allow it.
Always check that cedarwood surfaces are smooth before positioning them close to delicate textiles. Recently oiled cedarwood should be allowed to dry fully before being returned to a wardrobe or drawer.
Red cedar, clothes moths and carpet beetles
Clothes moths and carpet beetles are particularly relevant to wardrobe and textile care because their larvae can be associated with damage to stored natural materials and clothing.
Signs worth checking for include unexplained holes in garments, larvae, webbing, shed skins or recurring insect activity around wardrobes, drawers, carpets and stored textiles.
Red cedar has a long history of use in wardrobes, cedar chests and clothing storage, particularly alongside wool and other natural textiles. Cedarwood and cedar-derived oils have also been examined historically in relation to clothes moths and carpet beetles.
Research and historical guidance suggest that insect response can differ depending on the species, life stage, concentration and testing conditions. Younger larvae may respond differently from larger or more developed larvae, and results from controlled studies should not automatically be applied to normal household use.
This is why cedarwood is best used as part of a broader wardrobe-care and inspection routine, rather than as a standalone treatment for an established clothes-moth or carpet-beetle problem.
Using cedarwood as part of a clothes-moth routine
Where clothes moths are a concern, begin with the condition of the garments and storage area. Clothing should be clean and dry, wardrobes and drawers should be vacuumed thoroughly, and vulnerable textiles should be inspected carefully before longer storage.
Cedarwood products can then be distributed throughout wardrobes, drawers and storage boxes as part of the ongoing storage routine. Suitable unfinished cedarwood can be refreshed when its natural aroma becomes less noticeable.
If moth activity is suspected, an appropriate monitoring trap can also help indicate whether adult moths are present. Monitoring traps are useful for checking activity but should not be relied upon as the only response to damaged textiles or an established problem.
Using cedarwood as part of a carpet-beetle routine
Carpet beetles can also be associated with natural textiles and stored materials. Historical studies of American red cedar storage found that responses varied considerably according to the age and life stage of the insects.
For practical household use, the same basic principles therefore apply: inspect stored textiles, remove dust and lint from wardrobes and surrounding areas, keep garments clean before storage and investigate any continuing signs of activity.
Cedarwood can form part of this regular storage-care routine, but recurring larvae, shed skins or textile damage should be investigated rather than relying on cedarwood alone.
What does research say about cedar oils and insects?
Cedarwood and cedar-derived oils have been studied in laboratory and entomological research in relation to a number of insect species. Results vary considerably depending on the cedar species, chemical composition of the oil, concentration, insect species and experimental conditions.
It is therefore important not to assume that results obtained with one cedar species or laboratory concentration will apply to every cedarwood or cedar-oil product used in a home.
Cedar oil and silverfish research
A laboratory study published in the Journal of Wood Science examined essential oil from Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica, against the common silverfish, Lepisma saccharina.
The researchers reported repellent activity under controlled laboratory conditions. At the tested concentration of 0.01 mg/cm³, the study recorded 80% repellency. At the substantially higher concentration of 0.16 mg/cm³, mortality was observed within ten hours under the experimental conditions.
View the study in the Journal of Wood Science.
The study is useful for understanding how concentration can influence insect response, but it involved Japanese cedar oil under laboratory conditions. It should not be interpreted as evidence that every cedarwood or cedar-oil product will produce the same result in normal household use.
Research relating to clothes moths
Eastern red cedar has long been associated with the storage of wool and clothing. Historical entomological guidance has also discussed the effect of cedar oils on clothes-moth larvae.
The reported response has not been the same for every larval stage. Smaller or younger larvae have historically been described as more susceptible under certain conditions, while larger larvae can be considerably less sensitive.
This supports a practical point: cedarwood is most useful within a clean, regularly inspected storage routine, rather than being relied upon after a clothes-moth problem has become established.
Research relating to carpet beetles
Historical investigations of Juniperus virginiana storage have also examined carpet beetles. Results varied considerably with the age and developmental stage of the insects.
Very young larvae were reported as more affected under certain test conditions, while older larvae, pupae and adult beetles were considerably less sensitive.
Again, this reinforces the importance of inspecting and cleaning textiles before storage and investigating continuing activity rather than treating the storage material itself as a complete pest-management solution.
Why can insects respond to aromatic plant compounds?
The aroma we recognise as cedar is produced by a mixture of volatile compounds released from the wood and its natural oil.
Insects use highly sensitive chemical senses to navigate their surroundings, locate food, find mates and identify suitable places for feeding or egg laying. Laboratory studies on plant-derived oils and extracts show that certain volatile compounds can influence these behaviours under particular experimental conditions.
A behavioural response is also different from a toxic effect. A concentration that affects insect movement or preference may be far lower than a concentration required to produce toxicity.
A practical cedarwood clothing-storage routine
For everyday use, cedarwood works best as part of a broader wardrobe and textile-care routine.
- Wash or clean clothing before longer storage.
- Make sure garments are completely dry.
- Vacuum wardrobe shelves, drawers, floors, corners and surrounding edges.
- Inspect seams, folds, collars and cuffs.
- Check for unexplained holes, larvae, webbing or shed skins.
- Fold knitwear and hang suitable woven garments correctly.
- Distribute cedarwood products throughout the storage area rather than placing them all in one corner.
- Inspect stored textiles periodically.
- Refresh suitable unfinished cedarwood when its natural aroma becomes less noticeable.
If clothes-moth activity is suspected, an appropriate monitoring trap can help indicate whether adult moth activity is present. Monitoring does not replace inspection of garments and storage areas.
If repeated holes, larvae, webbing, shed skins or continuing activity are found, investigate the source and consider additional appropriate measures for the insect involved.
Why use cedarwood and cedar oil together?
Solid cedarwood provides the reusable base. It can be positioned in wardrobes, drawers, storage boxes or on suitable hangers.
As the natural aroma gradually becomes less noticeable, suitable unfinished cedarwood can often be refreshed through light sanding or by applying a small amount of pure cedar oil.
A well-maintained cedarwood product therefore does not normally need to be replaced simply because its aroma has faded.
How much cedarwood should you use?
There is no single quantity that suits every wardrobe or drawer. The practical amount depends on the size of the storage space, airflow and the format of the cedarwood product.
As a general storage principle, distribute several smaller cedar pieces around the area rather than placing every piece in one location.
A compact drawer may only need a few small cubes, balls or discs positioned among stored clothing. A larger wardrobe may benefit from cedarwood placed among hanging garments as well as on shelves or inside drawers.
If the aroma becomes difficult to notice, inspect the cedarwood and refresh suitable unfinished pieces where appropriate.
Important care instructions
- Follow the instructions supplied with each individual product.
- Apply cedar oil to suitable cedarwood rather than directly onto clothing.
- Allow recently refreshed wood to dry fully before returning it to storage.
- Protect pale, delicate and absorbent materials from direct contact with wet oil.
- Remove all sanding dust before placing cedarwood near textiles.
- Check cedarwood regularly for splinters or rough surfaces.
- Store concentrated cedar oil and small wooden pieces appropriately and out of reach of children and animals.
- Follow the safety and storage information provided with the cedar-oil product.
- Do not assume that aromatherapy or diffuser oils are suitable for refreshing cedarwood.
Frequently asked questions
Is RedCedar oil diluted?
No. RedCedar oil is 100% pure cedar oil and is not diluted with water or blended with a carrier oil.
Are RedCedar wood products made from real cedarwood?
Yes. Our cedarwood products are made from 100% solid red cedar wood rather than MDF, compressed fibreboard or imitation wood with an added cedar fragrance.
What is Eastern red cedar?
Juniperus virginiana, commonly known as Eastern or American red cedar, is an aromatic evergreen species with a long history of use in cedar chests, wardrobes and clothing storage.
What compounds occur naturally in red cedar oil?
The composition varies between species and sources. Oil from Juniperus virginiana naturally contains aromatic compounds including alpha-cedrene, beta-cedrene, thujopsene, cedrol and widdrol.
Has cedar oil been studied against silverfish?
Yes. Cedar-derived oils have been investigated in laboratory research. One study using essential oil from Japanese cedar reported repellent activity against common silverfish under controlled test conditions, with a different response at substantially higher concentrations.
The study involved a specific cedar species and laboratory conditions, so the findings should not be treated as a direct performance claim for RedCedar products.
Does red cedar help with clothes moths?
Red cedar has a long history of use in clothing storage and has been examined historically in relation to clothes moths. Research and guidance indicate that insect response can vary considerably according to the larval stage and testing conditions.
For household use, cedarwood is best included as part of a regular wardrobe-care routine based on clean, dry garments, inspection and appropriate monitoring where moth activity is suspected.
It should not be treated as a complete treatment for an established clothes-moth infestation.
Does red cedar help with carpet beetles?
American red cedar has also been examined historically in relation to carpet beetles. The reported response differed according to the insects’ age and developmental stage, with older larvae and adult beetles considerably less sensitive in historical testing.
For practical use, cedarwood should form part of a wider textile-storage routine that includes cleaning and regular inspection rather than being relied upon as a standalone solution.
What are signs of clothes moths or carpet beetles in stored clothing?
Possible signs include unexplained holes, larvae, webbing, shed skins or recurring insect activity around wardrobes, drawers, carpets and stored textiles.
If these signs continue, inspect both the garments and the surrounding storage area rather than assuming that adding more cedarwood will resolve the cause.
Can cedarwood be refreshed?
Yes. Suitable unfinished cedarwood can be refreshed by lightly sanding the surface or applying a small amount of pure cedar oil. Remove sanding dust and allow oiled wood to dry completely before returning it near clothing.
Can cedar oil be applied directly to clothing?
Do not apply cedar oil directly to clothing unless the instructions for a specific product expressly allow it. Concentrated oil may mark absorbent materials.
Which cedar format is best for drawers?
Cedar balls, cubes, discs and compact blocks are practical choices for drawers because they can be distributed around folded clothing without taking up much space.
How long does cedarwood last?
Solid cedarwood is reusable. Its natural aroma gradually becomes less noticeable, but suitable unfinished pieces can often be refreshed by light sanding or with pure cedar oil and used for a long period.
Does cedarwood treat an established clothes-moth or carpet-beetle problem?
Cedarwood should not be treated as a complete treatment for an established insect problem. Cleaning, inspection, monitoring and other appropriate pest-management measures may also be required depending on the insect and the extent of the activity.
Explore Swedish red cedar products
Choose solid cedarwood pieces for wardrobes, drawers and clothing storage, compare hanging formats or use pure cedar oil to refresh suitable cedarwood products you already own.