Mothballs have long been an effective defense against moths as well as other pests, but they often leave behind an unwelcome souvenir: an intense, persistent odor. There’s no one else to blame when you’ve opened a bin, drawer or cupboard to find mothballs’ distinctive scent. Many people search for ways to solve this issue. Knowing how to eliminate mothball smell requires knowing the basics of what triggers it, and the way it adheres to various surfaces.
Mothballs typically contain substances like paradichlorobenzene and naphthalene. The chemicals sublimate over time, meaning they shift directly from gas to solid emitting vapors that can be extremely effective in repelling pests. Unfortunately, these vapors get into wood, fabrics, carpets, and even the air, creating an odor we are afraid of.
Learn to eliminate the smell of mothballs from your clothes and home environments. Your clothes will smell fresh and comfortable.
How can you remove the odor of mothballs from clothing?
Mothball smells can be absorbed into clothing quickly. It is an extremely long process. You can get your clothes back by putting in the time and using the right methods.
Air It Out: The simple first step is hanging your clothes outdoors. The sun’s rays and fresh air are both powerful. The UV rays of the sun help disintegrate chemical compounds contained in the vapours. If you can, put the clothes outside for several hours or even days.
Baking Soda Soak: If blowing out isn’t enough to completely remove the smell, try soaking the clothes in a mixture of warm baking soda and water. Baking soda acts as a natural deodorizer. Dissolve 1 cup baking powder in the bowl of water and then soak your clothes for a night.
Vinegar Wash. Running your clothing through the wash cycle using a half cup of white distilled vinegar (without detergent) will neutralize the smell. After that, rinse them with a gentle detergent to get rid of mothball odor and vinegar remnants.
Charcoal activated: If you notice that the odor is very heavy, you may want to put your clothing in an activated charcoal container for a few days to help absorb any vapors.
If you’re wondering how to remove mothball smell from clothes that are delicate or dry clean only, it’s best to consult a professional cleaner. Be sure to let them know what the issue is so they can use the right approach.
How to Remove the odor of mothballs in your House
The smell does not just stick to clothing, it could also be pervasive throughout areas. This is especially the case when you’ve placed mothballs in large quantities or small spaces such as attics or basements. What can you do to refresh your house?
Shut all the windows and then use fans to circulate air. It is crucial to get rid of all chemical odors and fumes from the room, and also to let fresh air into the space.
Deep Cleaning: Vacuum the carpets and clean wood surfaces down with a solution of vinegar and water. Launder fabric that can be removed, such as cushions and curtains. Steam cleaning carpets or upholstery will help eliminate smells.
Use activated charcoal filters: Put air purifiers and bags with charcoal in different areas of your house to suck up smells.
In the event that the smell persists despite your best efforts, an ozone generator or a professional odor removal service could be needed. These services help break down odor-causing molecules in the air or on surfaces using ozone molecules.
Final Thoughts
If you know how to remove the mothball scent, it could save you from lots of frustration. Through a combination of the airing out process the odor, using natural deodorizers like baking soda and vinegar, and deep cleaning, it is possible to easily get rid of even the most difficult stinks.
No matter if you’re trying to figure out how to get mothball smell out of your clothes or eliminate the mothball odor in house, a little perseverance and these tips will have your living spaces and clothing smelling fresh and clean.
