You need a solution to get rid of the mothball smelland fast. Not only does this method get rid of the odor, it will make the furnishings nice and clean; killing bed bugs, fleas, and other small pests. Once youve done that, you can safely move onto quickly getting rid of lingering fumes. If you want to get rid of the mothball smell, you will need to clean the affected space and fabrics. It does take several months for a mothballed gas to completely go away. For instance, if you place the mothballs in an open environment with lots of fresh air, it may take about three to six months to dissipate entirely. So they can last for 2 months or several in the winter months. How long does it take for mothballs to stop smelling? Mothballs are definitely useful when you are at your wits end with clothes moths. Naphthalene (used to make mothballs) is also used in the production of many types of plastic (like jewel cases). Vary the treatment depending on the clothing; for example, formore delicate fabrics you might try combining the vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spritzing the fabric. The quickest method would be an ozone generator. 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. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. This can cause severe effects that should be taken care of immediately. Mothballs are commonly made from naphthalene, but due to naphthalene being a highly flammable substance, more companies are switching over to paradichlorobenzene. Stash a mix of natural repellents away with the clothes. Getting rid of that mothball smell can be difficult in many cases, but there are some great tried-and-true remedies out there. So why do mothballs disappear over time? Before you start spraying your upholstery to get out the mothball smell, consider the material. PDF What You Should Know About Mothballs - Louisiana Department of Health Pest Insider is affiliated with products and services I personally use and trust. Getting the mothball smell out of a room or closet is a little more difficult than clothing, although the solutions themselves are simple. In contrast to chemical moth balls, cedar is non-toxic, making it a natural alternative. You might also choose to use odor-absorbing candles or even coffee grounds. Once you lay mothballs out to deal with moth larvae, the chemicals will transition into a gas and mix into the air. 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. For instance, if you place the mothballs in an open environment with lots of fresh air, it may take about three to six months to dissipate entirely. I got myself plenty of fresh air and some baking soda, to calm my stomach! The fumes are very toxic, and you could become ill with prolonged exposure. When Do Mice Sleep? For most carpets and fabric-covered furniture, you will want to use a wet-vac, since that offers the same level of clean as a washing machine. We are considering buying one but it has been treated with mothballs and I am very concerned about neuro damage since we have to live in it once or twice a year. You can also try placing containers of coffee grounds or odor-absorbing candles for similar results. You might have to spend some money, but the best option may be to rip up the floor at that gap (or temporarily pull out the sink), remove the mothballs, then seal the gap using cement, wood, or stone (depending on the size and shape of the hole as well as what it connects to). Weve got you covered with tips and tricks for combating the pungent odour of mothballs. Dropping some into a burrow entrance can also be used to temporarily stop large critters from using that entrance for about a month. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. You can also freshen up the air with the petitgrain aroma. And Voila! Weve got you covered with tips and tricks for combating the pungent odor of mothballs. When you have a clothes moth problem, mothballs are a convenient solution for getting the infestation under control. Mothballs can also be used to soak up moisture and prevent mold growth. (Activated charcoal is sold in various pellet sizes and is usually available at pet stores.) Here are the most common mothball-related questions: It usually takes a couple of months for the physical mothball to completely dissipate when not exposed to air. One of them is the smell of mothballs. How Long do Mothballs Last? Now my brand new house smells like mothballs. Given the effort and time required to get rid of that mothball smell, theres some benefit in seeking out alternatives that wont make you want to plug your nose and hold your breath. {"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":"
License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a5\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a5\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-12.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-13.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-the-Smell-of-Mothballs-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, How to Stop a Carbon Monoxide Alarm & What to Do When It Goes Off For Real. How long do mothballs take to work? Mothballs: The Ultimate Home Remedy for Critters? - RidMyCritters.com So, if you are looking for ways to get rid of the mothball smell, I suggest you keep on reading because I am about to disclose some of the extremely effective methods that I learned from my mom. He attended the University of Akron, graduating with a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing. Does the mothball smell go away? (and Should You? The reason mothballs are toxic is because of the chemicals they are made from. This will help considerably with getting rid of the mothballs smell in your house. Your very own sanitizer is ready. Mothball odor is a terrible smell to have clinging to your clothing. My mom would always struggle to get the smell out of the house and come up with various solutions that helped diminish the scent quickly. The hotter and more humid it is the faster the mothballs will dissipate from solid to gas. But mothballs smell horrible and are also dangerous when left around your home for long periods. 9 Signs of Termites in Your Walls, Ceiling, or Attic, Can You Kill a Cockroach By Stepping on It? If you place the mothball underneath clothing or otherwise not in open air, it will take up to 12 months to completely dissipate. The smell, however, may remain in your home for months or years after the last used mothball. When will my baby be able to roll a ball back and forth? A dry cleaner should be able to get rid of the smell of mothballs. I am dealing with Navajo rugs, just unpacked, permeated with mothball smell. Mothball odour is a terrible smell to have clinging to your clothing. Make sure that you store moth balls and toilet cakes safely. Lawn Mower Starts Then Dies Heres the Fix. The answer is yes, with some hard work. For this purpose, you will need a good sanitizer. Alternatively, buy activated charcoal from a pet or department store and put a bowl of that in the space that smells. If you want to get rid of the mothball smell in your clothes, you can use a variety of methods. The good news is that getting rid of that stench is fairly simple and involves products you likely already have in your home. The pleasant scent of coffee will cover the scent of mothballs, while the baking soda and cedar work to absorb the smell and any moisture. This is called Paradichlorobenzene. The smell is enough to drive moths and other insects, as well as small pests like mice and rats, away from the space. You can purchase a cedar chest or wardrobe to store seasonal clothing and shoes when you dont need them. To get rid of the smell, you should first get rid of the old mothballs. 3 Ways to Get Rid of the Smell of Mothballs - wikiHow So you dont want that smell hanging in the air like an ominous cloud. Extended exposure may result in kidney and liver damage. One mothball in open air takes 3-6 months to dissipate entirely. Wear gloves when handling the pesticide. That would allow you to suck up most or all of the balls. Mothballs can be effective at what they do, but that doesnt mean you want them to stick around for too long. Is the smell dangerous? Use the same mixture of lemon juice and vinegar you did for clothing to wipe down the insides and outsides. Mothballs leave behind a residue, requiring anything they come into contact with to be washed before use. You need to get rid of it. There are mothballs that are made from a different active ingredient that is less toxic. How Long Does It Take for Mothballs to Evaporate? - Waistmade To take this a step up you could use a house fan to blow the air out of the mothball area and out the window. By simply placing a bag of activated charcoal can help filter out some of the gassy smell that mothballs put out. The Dangers of Mothballs: Do You Have Naphthalene or - IndoorDoctor Once the baking soda has sat long enough to absorb the smell, vacuum it up. Besides breathing the toxic gasses, ingesting mothballs can also lead to serious health concerns including death. You dont want to remain exposed to mothballs for too long, though. No one loves the smell of mothballs. How does naphthalene . When your mothballs have been totally evaporated, you'll know it's time to add new ones. Mothballs can also be used to soak up moisture and prevent mould growth. Once your baby can sit up, you can practise rolling a ball back and forth.Use a big, light ball that will be easy for your baby to push. You were able to fit the mothballs in there easily, so would it be large enough to fit a hose in thats slightly larger than the mothballs? Paradichlorobenzene is a chlorinated hydrocarbon that also sublimates from a solid into a gas. Make sure to dispose of the old mothballs correctly. This chemical dissolves at room temperature overtime and turns into a gas that enters the air. STEP 5 . Store all chemicals safely out of the reach of children and with their safety . The best performing moth solutions on the market. Mothballs can be placed in garbage bins and mailboxes, if needed.