It’s no secret that mothballs can be a powerful defense against pests like moths. However, they leave a bad smell behind. There’s no one else to blame if you’ve ever opened one of your drawers, bins or cupboard to find the distinct smell of mothballs. A lot of people are looking for the most effective ways to tackle this issue. Understanding the causes of mothball smell and how it adheres to surfaces is important for understanding how you can remove it.
Mothballs are generally made of chemicals like paradichlorobenzene, or naphthalene. These chemicals change form over time, meaning they shift directly from solid to gas, releasing vapors that are extremely effective in repelling insects. These vapors can also get into carpets, wood, and the air to produce the lingering smell we hate.
We’ll teach you how to remove mothball odor from clothes as well as in your home. This will keep your items fresh and your home breathable again.
How to Get Mothball To Go away from Clothes
Mothball-related odors can be absorbed by clothing quite quickly. It’s not simple to eliminate the smell. If you are patient and follow the right methods, you can make a complete restoration of the garments.
The simplest way to dry your clothing is to hang them outdoors. Fresh air and sunlight are both potent. The sun’s UV rays can help in the breakdown of chemical components in the vapours. If possible, you should leave your clothing outside for a few hours or for a few days.
Baking soda solution: In case airing your clothes isn’t enough to remove the smell, place them in warm water mixed with baking soda. Baking soda acts as a natural deodorizer. Dissolve 1 cup baking powder in the bowl of water and soak the clothes overnight.
Vinegar Wash Vinegar Wash: Running your clothes through a wash cycle with a cup of distillated white vinegar (no detergent) can help neutralize odors. Following that, wash them with a gentle soap to remove the mothball and vinegar smell.
Activated charcoal: If the smell is particularly prominent, place your clothes in an activated-charcoal container for a few days in order to remove any remaining 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. They’ll need to know the exact source of the smell so that the right method is selected.
How to get rid of the Mothball odor from your House
The smell does not just stick to clothing, it can also permeate whole rooms. This is especially the case in the event that you’ve put mothballs in large quantities or in smaller spaces like basements or attics. So how do you refresh your home?
Open all windows, and use fans to circulate air. It is essential to eliminate all chemical odors and fumes from the room and to bring fresh air in.
Deep Cleaning: Vacuum the carpets and scrub wooden surfaces with vinegar-water solution. Launder fabric that can be removed, like curtains and cushion covers. Steam cleaning carpets, upholstery and other fabric can speed up the elimination of unpleasant odors.
Activated Charcoal Filters: Utilizing charcoal air purifiers or bags in different corners of the house will help to eliminate odors that are persistent over a period of time.
If the smell continues to persist, regardless of all efforts it could be necessary to hire an ozone machine or professional odor elimination services. These services eliminate the odor-causing molecules within the air or on surfaces with Ozone molecules.
Final Thoughts
You can avoid a lot stress by knowing the best way to rid yourself of mothball smells, regardless of whether you’re trying to remove it from your favorite coat or your entire home. Airing out your home, making use of natural deodorizers such as baking soda, and performing a deep clean can aid in removing the most difficult odors.
If you want to know how to get rid of mothball odor off your clothes or the home, these tips and a little bit of patience will make your space and wardrobe smell fresh and tidy.