Most people would answer that question with different adjectives, but the consensus is that they smell unpleasantly pungent. So why do mothballs disappear over time? That would allow you to suck up most or all of the balls. Other tips to keep in mind when storing clothes without mothballs: Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. How do you get rid of mothball smell without washing? How To: Get Rid of Mothball Smell - Bob Vila Use the same mixture of lemon juice and vinegar you did for clothing to wipe down the insides and outsides. (Activated charcoal is sold in various pellet sizes and is usually available at pet stores.) The toxic chemical naphthalene can be smelled by humans at a MUCH lower threshold than whats considered harmful exposure. In the beginning, put vinegar in tiny glasses on the camper's tables. Just make sure to use them as directed. How to avoid exposure to chemicals. You can add some essential oil diffusers or air fresheners to a room or spray some onto your clothing. I wish I had a better (and cheaper) answer for you, but these are the two most viable options I can see, and the sooner you get the mothballs out of there, the less it will soak into the walls and floor of your kitchen. It is also a good idea to have a pheromone trap that you can hang in your closet to get rid of clothes moths. While these fumes efficacy made mothballs a go-to choice for protecting treasured blouses and sweaters stashed between seasons, their offensive scent lingers on clothes, carpets, closet interiorswherever they were placedlong after youd like. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. While airing the musty items out helps dissipate the scent, a little DIY know-how and some dedicated effort can help get rid of the mothball smell more quickly. I hope I was able to convey all my knowledge to you all effectively. Its best to even let your containers soak in vinegar for a while before finally rinsing them off with water and drying them with a towel. One of the most successful methods for ridding the mothball smell from clothing is to soak the affected garments in a solution of equal parts water and vinegar. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. If you put the mothball under fabric or someplace where there is no air circulation, it takes about 12 months to dissipate! Once your mothballs have dissolved, theyll usually leave a very annoying odor, especially if you use them in an indoor area like your basement, your attic, or the inside of a shed. The Dangers of Mothballs: Do You Have Naphthalene or - IndoorDoctor Certain bugs will Hi, I'm Mike, I have spent many years in the pest industry and wanted to share my experience and education with the world so if they desired so they could accomplish DIY Pest Control and do it with a confidence that it will work and that it is done correctly. For mothball odor in your closest or any other room, put out a bowl of vinegar or coffee grounds to absorb the odor. Moth Hatching Season: When Are Moths Active, How to Get Rid of Drain Flies / Moth Flies in Your Bathroom. You saved your clothing from becoming a moth-eaten heap. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If you want to keep snakes away go to the big box stores or jump on amazon and order some snake away. While theyre great for protecting fabrics from the ravages of insects, mothballs have bigger drawbacks than simply their smell. Never keep mothballs in areas that people and pets use frequently. We used a box of moth balls putting them in the eves with hopes of removing the home of the varmints. Pop the pouch inside the shoes and leave it there for about a week. Are You Infested? Getting rid of the mothball smell is really not that hard, you just have to take care of a few things. Once the baking soda has sat long enough to absorb the smell, vacuum it up. Getting rid of that mothball smell can be difficult in many cases, but there are some great tried-and-true remedies out there. Mothballs change from a solid into a gas in a process called sublimation. You can also buy cedar chips from your local hardware store and put them in drawers or dressers to absorb the smell. Does your breath change as you get older? Weve got you covered with tips and tricks for combating the pungent odor of mothballs. You dont want this chemical mixing with the chemicals in the air freshener. The best performing moth solutions on the market. Mothballs are commonly made from naphthalene, but due to naphthalene being a highly flammable substance, more companies are switching over to paradichlorobenzene. Not to worry, here are some methods for getting rid of the pesticide scent around your home: Powerful Clothes Moth Traps & Carpet Moth Traps - 3 Pack, High-Performance Clothes & Carpet Moth Trap Refills - 6 Pack, Powerful Pantry Moth Traps 15pk - Versatile and Effective | Results Guaranteed. Mothballs are basically a chunk or small ball of pesticides that repel both clothes moths and humans alikeand for good reason. STEP 5 . In the morning, vacuum the contents using a vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, put the clothes in the washing machine and run a cycle using only vinegar; follow up with another wash cycle using detergent and softener. Always follow label instructions and take steps to avoid exposure. Depending on the material your furniture is made of, you may need to get an odor eliminator to safely get rid of the mothball smell. Toxic household products to avoid during pregnancy Is it possible to get rid of the smell from plastic? This time the use is a little different. My second question would be regarding where the hole leads and the materials around it. Typically, moth balls can last anywhere from 2 months up to a year, but like previously mentioned, the rate at which they dissolve really depends on the temperature and the current environmental conditions. But the smell does not dissipate immediately the ball is gone. However, this will depend on the temperature and humidity levels in the area where they are being used. All Rights Reserved. It is best for you to remove the mothballs and their insidious odour. . How do I make myself not smell like mothballs? It does take several months for a mothballed gas to completely go away. the smell is so bad. The are drawings free hand for plumbing class. It takes a few more months for the smell of mothballs to totally dissipate . Getting the mothball smell out of your house can be a time-consuming procedure, but it is possible. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"