They are a toxic pesticide that should be handled with the utmost care. The smell, however, may remain in your home for months or years after the last used mothball. Many people have the same questions about ridding their home of mothball smell once and for all. Naphthalene is highly flammable, which is why dichlorobenzene in many more modern mothballs has replaced it. And the smell only gets worse the longer you breathe it in. The smell is enough to drive moths and other insects, as well as small pests like mice and rats, away from the space. Whether its how to get mothball smell out of clothes, furniture, or your house, we have several solutions! the smells can linger and will slowly dissipate over time. If you put the mothball under fabric or someplace where there is no air circulation, it takes about 12 months to dissipate! (Activated charcoal is sold in various pellet sizes and is usually available at pet stores.) Add one cup of white vinegar for every load you wash. Run the washing machine through two complete cycles for best results, even if your clothes are not very smelly. Weve had mice problems and someone told me to put mothballs. The smell is enough to drive moths and other insects, as well as small pests like mice and rats, away from the space. On top of that, the fumes can be absorbed by nearby objects, be it furniture, glass, or other materials. The best performing moth solutions on the market. 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. Remove Old Mothball Smell From Clothes, Furniture and Closets When it comes to how long mothball smell will last in the air space of your home, this can be an ambiguous timeframe that will depend on various factors inside the home, such as how much mothballs were used in the indoor space, the airflow and ventilation in the home, and solutions that are used to combat this odor. No vinegar on hand? They are airing in the sun outside this week. Other methods for repelling moths that dont stink and make you sick include essential oils. MothPrevention speak to customers every day about their clothes moth issues - clothes moths are a species that are ever increasing and that can cause significant damage to clothes, carpets and other home textiles. So they can last for 2 months or several in the winter months. Additionally, long-term exposure can cause damage to the liver and kidneys, and ingestion will . 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. She only moved her cloths and a few personal items in. Obviously, you cant go to work or out to run errands smelling like a musty attic. My mom would usually put the mothballs in the closets and the shelves to get rid of harmful bugs. Like mentioned earlier, mothballs evaporate into a gas overtime thats very toxic to your health. I have a gap under my kitchen sink, we dropped some in there quite a few I must say. 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. Extended exposure may result in kidney and liver damage. But because it works well for many other pests (other than moths) and can be purchased easily and for a relatively low cost, other sites and forums state various creative uses for it (no matter how dangerous it may be). Baking Soda, on the other hand, does deodorize you can spread baking soda directly on or into clothing, shoes, etc and it will help eliminate odors. Mothball odor is It all depends upon your own personal preferences and budget. Are You Infested. Moth Larvae on Your Kitchen Ceiling? Mothballs get to work as soon as you place them in the area you wish to protect, and will work best in an enclosed area where the moths are trapped with the fumes. Make sure to keep an eye on the weather forecast if you use this method. Inhaling the fumes will exacerbate this sensation and may lead to headaches, breathing difficulties, nausea, and dizziness. The fumes are very toxic, and you could become ill with prolonged exposure. 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. Some people even use face masks, so they dont breathe any of the fumes. Next time you want to stop clothes moths from chewing holes in your sweaters and coats, consider using an alternative to mothballs. they want to know if they are infested with bugs. For . Mothballs may dissolve, but there will still be some intact pieces in the storage containers or within the folds of fabric. Leave it there overnight. 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. However, both chemicals have the same NFPA 704 code for flammability. Both the washing machine and hand washing should get the smell of mothballs out of clothing. This is called Paradichlorobenzene. Mothballs can also be used to soak up moisture and prevent mold growth. The choice is yours! How long does it take for mothballs to stop smelling? Mothballs get to work as soon as you place them in the area you wish to protect, and will work best in an enclosed area where the moths are trapped with the fumes. Thats what you get when you dont verify something before going ahead and doing it. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. And Voila! Setting the product in a strategic area that repels the mice without affecting the quality of life for your family should be your priority. And we have some shocking news for you: a single mothball takes about 3-6 months to dissipate completely. Then, go over the furniture as you normally would with the wet-vac. However, they can take a while for them to stop smelling. The best performing moth solutions on the market. Moth ball fumes can last for a long time, depending on the type of moth balls used and the amount of ventilation in the area. You stop the moth larvae from damaging your clothing, but the trade off? How Do You Get A Cookie Cart In Animal Crossing. I hope I was able to convey all my knowledge to you all effectively. Mothballs are nearly 100% active ingredient, and the active ingredient may be either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. A quality neutralizer will actually destroy the odor of the mothballs instead of just trying to cover it up. Literally epitomizing the statement sticking around like a bad smell!. It might take up to a year for a mothball to entirely disperse if it is not exposed to the air. Six months later not one problem. . Pop the pouch inside the shoes and leave it there for about a week. CLOTHES MOTH KILLER KIT | 6 Months Protection for Closet Clothing | Professional Grade. And the smell only gets worse the longer you breathe it in. I will check your site out again before jumping too far into home projects. Naphthalene General Fact Sheet - Oregon State University Although mothballs have been determined as safe for general use, the fumes can cause health problems. How To: Get Rid of Mothball Smell - Bob Vila Here are a couple mothball odor removal products we recommend: I purchased 100 space saving slim cd/dvd covers that smell like moth balls. Some of the chemicals used in mothballs, such as naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene, may cause reversible side effects when inhaled, including nausea, headaches, coughing, eye and nose irritation. Not only do you get rid of any odours, but you can also remove dirt and pests, like fleas, bed bugs, and moths. You can add some essential oil diffusers or air fresheners to a room or spray some onto your clothing. While its possible to wait out the mothball smell, this isnt recommended, in no small part because the poisonous residue will remain after the smell dissipates. Required fields are marked *. Its worth keeping in mind that the fumes can cause dizziness or nausea in some people, so exercise caution if youre considering using them around the house. The reason mothballs are toxic is because of the chemicals they are made from. Alternatively, buy activated charcoal from a pet or department store and put a bowl of that in the space that smells. The mothball smell tends to linger. The good news is that getting rid of that stench is fairly simple and involves products you likely already have in your home. For this purpose, you will need a good sanitizer. While theyre great for protecting fabrics from the ravages of insects, mothballs have bigger drawbacks than simply their smell. 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. In a word yes, mothballs release a toxic gas that is mild to us but deadly to bugs and the smell does repel some animals and reptiles. The vapors will remain inside the FACTS container and kill the moths. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. This will allow you to remove the mothballs, bleach or soak the area in vinegar, and seal it so mice cannot get back in through that entry point. Mothballs are an effective way to keep your home smelling fresh and clean. 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. This time the use is a little different. I would try ozium spray that can be purchased online or at some stores it is a strong scent remover on top of regular cleanings.You can also buy scent bombs made for vehicles just leave and come back ,Orange peels may also help, If it is really bad leave the windows open and rent an ozium machine that can cover the worst of smells it can be dangerous if you breathe to much sao follow given direction and dont use it in a room you sleep in this will remove it 100%,DOnt worry i just put 20 mothballs in my room its making me sick im going to do all the stuff i just mentioned. You may need a specialised odour eliminator to nix the mothball odour. Read the manufacturer's label on an item of clothing to help you decide whether to hand wash the clothing or wash it in a machine. The chemical odour of mothballs in the fibres of your wardrobe. Thank you so much for replying, I did try using our vacuum to retrieve some of the balls. Yes, mothballs are incredibly harmful to all living things, whether humans, plants, or animals. Is there enough of a residual effect to cause harm? Mothballs are basically a chunk or small ball of pesticides that repel both clothes moths and humans alikeand for good reason. For most couches and other fabric-covered furnishings (including carpets), however, you can use a wet-vac in the same manner as the washer. More of a coverup. Store clothes in well-sealed containers or vacuum storage bags to restrict moth access. How to avoid exposure to chemicals. However, in the past, chemicals known as Naphthalene and Paradichlorobenzene were used in the making of mothballs. link to When Do Mice Sleep? 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, Powerful Clothes Moth & Carpet Moth Trap Refills - 6 Pack, Clothes Moth Sprays, Repellents and Treatments in Kit Form. Mothball odor is a terrible smell to have clinging to your clothing. If it is a pantry pest like an Indian Meal Moth you will want to use pheromone traps. Erase the scent of mothballs from your hands with lemon-scented dish detergent, toothpaste, baking soda, tomato juice, or orange rinds. How To Get Rid Of Mothball Smell? 4 Easy Tips - Smell Proof Guide How do you get rid of mothball smell without washing? They can protect your clothing from moths and larvae for up to 3 months. If it is a clothing moth you will want to use Nuvan Pro Strips. To do so properly, place mothballs inside tightly closed containers along with the clothing or materials. Charcoal is used in many water purifying processes and filter applications, some people even brush their teeth with it from time to time, but did you also know that it can filter the air we breathe? By keeping them in air tight containers or plastic bags, you can prevent the dangerous fumes from escaping and causing unnecessary health issues.