Nothing is more annoying than the scent of mothballs lingering in your closet. After a few months, the mothball smell can stay on your clothing. It is difficult to remove this smell, and it can also be very damaging to clothing. Learn how to remove the mothball smell from your clothes in my blog.
What is a Mothball
When heated, mothballs are chemically crystallized and release a strong odor. They are safe for humans and animals when dry. However, they can be dangerous if wet or heated. There are two main types of mothballs–Naphthalene balls and camphor balls.
The naphthalene is melted and then shaped into a ball. Many people let the balls air before using them. These balls are most effective at repelling carpet beetles and woolen moths.
Camphor balls are created by melting together camphor crystals and then molding them into a ball. The balls have a smell similar to mothballs. These balls can be toxic in large quantities and should not be used around children or pets.
What are mothballs used for
Originally, mothballs served as an insecticide. It was intended to trap insects in a container containing the substance. The fumes killed any insects trapped in the container. Scientists discovered that mothballs had other uses over time.
Mothballs are used to keep clothes smelling good for longer. You won’t have to worry if you store your winter coat in a mothball box. This also prevents mildew from growing on fabrics.
Mothballs can also help prolong the life of clothing by preventing wrinkles. Mothballs, which contain camphor oil as their main ingredient, act as dehumidifiers. Your clothes should remain wrinkle-free as long as they are not damp.
Mothballs can be used for a different purpose if you’re not concerned about prolonging the life of your clothing. They can also be used to remove odors. Many people often prefer mothballs to fabric softener sheets for eliminating odors.
I love the smell of mothballs and wear it whenever possible. Since I am allergic, I wear gloves when I handle mothballs.
Mothball Smell: Wherever It Lands, You Can Combat It
The scent of both types of mothballs is present wherever they are. The odor that is left behind by this product is often the only thing. There are ways to deal with any issues that may arise. To begin with, you should always be cautious when handling these balls. Also, make sure that you follow all the instructions on the label.
Check your clothes for any stains before you store them. It is important to check dresses for stains or marks before storing them away, especially if you use camphor beads. The beads can leave a residue that will make a mark. Some household stain removers are effective at removing these marks if they occur during storage. It is also possible to let the clothes dry for a few days before storing them.
I suggest using dryer sheets to remove the mothball smell from your closet. Then, put the clothes back into the closet and wait a few weeks for the smell to disappear. The process will take time, but the smell should eventually fade. You can use scented hangers or mothballs.
There are alternatives to spraying air fresheners such as Febreeze on items that you cannot leave outside for a few days or spraying them with a fragrance like Febreeze. First, I would place the clothes into a large Ziploc and vacuum as much mothball smell out as possible. If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner, leave the clothes in your garage or basement for a few days before putting them back into your wardrobe.
It is best to avoid mothballs altogether. You may want to protect your clothing while it is tucked away in a closet for several months. However, there are better ways to do this. Use cedar oil instead of mothballs if the smell does not bother you. In studies, cedar oil was found to be three times as effective at repelling moths than mothballs.
You can also find it much easier.
You may even consider replacing your upholstered furniture with cedar or another natural wood that is insect-resistant. Soft surfaces are more likely to attract and retain odors. It will keep bugs off your clothes and other items! Switching to better products is a great idea. They are getting more popular each day. Remember that you may not notice the difference immediately.
If the smell persists after you’ve tried all the above methods, I suggest using one of the following five methods.
How to Remove the Mothball Odor from Clothes
You can get rid of mothball odor by airing out your clothes for a few hours or several days, depending on the strength of the smell. Air out your shoes as well. If you can’t leave them outside, place the items in a box for two weeks.
Try one of these methods to get rid of the strong mothball smell.
Wash clothes with white water. For best results, add one cup of vinegar to each load.
Soak the clothes overnight in vinegar. If you do not want to wash them with vinegar, then you can put them into a plastic bag. Vinegar is acidic and neutralizes mothball smells when it comes into contact with them. This method is especially useful if you have a mild smell.
Dry clean If you have tried washing your clothes and soaking them in vinegar, but it doesn’t seem to work, then take them to a dry cleaner. The dry cleaners will use powerful solvents in order to remove the mothball odor from your clothes.
Use activated charcoal. If you do not want to wash the clothes but wish to remove the smell from them, use charcoal. Place the charcoal in a jar or a bag that can be sealed, and then place your clothes over it. Overnight, it will absorb any mothball odor.
Enzyme cleaner: When all else fails, you can use enzyme cleaners to remove mothball smells from your clothes. Spray the enzyme cleaner onto the fabric, let it sit for 30 minutes, and then wash as usual. Most grocery stores sell enzyme cleaners near laundry detergents.
Tips and Warning
To prevent the growth of mold, make sure that your clothes are fully dry before you store them.
It’s possible to smell mothballs even after washing. This is because moth eggs may be present on the fabric. You should throw out anything that may be contaminated by moth larvae or eggs and wash your other clothes.
Separately wash items with mothballs from other clothing. Mothballs can leave yellow stains on certain fabrics. Store or hang your freshly cleaned clothing carefully.
Ask for color-safe solvents if your clothes need to be dry-cleaned only. Also, make sure that they are mothball-free before you drop them off.
Remove clothes from storage and let them air outside for an hour or so before bringing them inside. Use cedar flakes or balls to repel moths. Replace them every three months with new ones.
