How to get rid of mothball smell

Removing the unpleasant odor of mothball from retro clothing, discount stores, or a consignment clothing store is a significant concern when purchasing for personal use or reselling. Learn some techniques to remove that smell so that you can enjoy your recently discovered treasures in terms of clothing.

What are mothballs?

Mothballs are insecticides and deodorant chemicals packaged in white balls and are used to protect clothing from insects such as moths, cockroaches, and even rats. Mothballs also help prevent the growth of mold and mildew, which can destroy the fibers of fabrics and textiles. While there are some sprays available on the market that do a good job, mothballs are inexpensive and easy to use.

A chemical called mothball is the traditional ingredient in mothballs, although it is highly flammable and is a possible carcinogen. Another side effect of mothball is that it can destroy red blood cells. Today’s mothball bags are made from a chemical called 1, 4-dichlorobenzene or para-dichlorobenzene, which is also used in some insecticidal sprays. Some manufacturers try to reduce the bad smell of mothball by adding eucalyptus, camphor, menthol and other ingredients.

Mothballs kill insects and stop mold growth through a process called sublimation that is when a solid dissolves into a gaseous form. During sublimation, the gases formed by mothball accumulate and kill moths that try to eat the fibers of clothing. The problem is that the vapors can build up so much that you may feel knocked out when you take a deep breath. Clothing packed with mothballs can also irritate when you put them on immediately after opening.

Use the fresh air

Step 1

Do not wash or dry clothes. If you dry them with hot air, you will fix the smell.

Step 2

Hang clothes in the sun by leaving them there and removing them for at least a week to expose them to as much fresh air as possible. Direct sunlight eliminates the smell of mothballs, but be careful that the garment does not get too much sunlight as it may stop.

Step 3

Spray items with a refreshing fabric spray after hanging.

Step 4

Check every night if the smell waned when you enter the clothes. If the odor is gone, wash the fabric clothes.

Use vinegar

Step 1

Load garments that smell of mothballs into the washing machine.

Step 2

Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the washing machine. Wash the clothes with the cycle that you would normally use.

Step 3

Remove the clothes from the washing machine and see if they continue to smell. If they still smell bad, repeat the process.

Use ozone

Step 1

Hang the clothes on hangers and space them in your closet or in another small room with a door.

Step 2

Turn on the ionizer and let it run until you smell the ozone.

Step 3

Close the bedroom door and let the ionizer run for five minutes. Thus, you will get rid of the smell of mothball in your clothes.

Use cedar chips

Deposit cedar splinter bags inside drawers or closets containing stink. It should be noted that, in addition to removing the mothball odor, cedar chips suck off unpleasant perfumes such as the storage aroma.

Use toothpaste

In order for your hands to rerelease an exquisite aroma, you have to rub toothpaste on them as if it were a bar of soap. The toothpaste mustn’t contain gel to achieve the desired effect. On the other hand, you can also use toothpaste for different beauty tricks.

Use coal

Activated carbon tablets help to remove the smell of mothball. You must leave a pot in the room with an ugly stench and the coal will suck it up.

Use tomato juice

Tomato juice is very effective in removing the smell of mothball. Put your hands in a container filled with the juice of this fruit for 5 minutes. After that time, rinse them with plenty of water. If you have juice leftover, you can use it to make a face mask.