Obviously, you cant go to work or out to run errands smelling like a musty attic. Related: How to Get Rid of a Dead Mouse Smell. If you place the mothball underneath clothing or otherwise not in open air, it will take up to 12 months to completely dissipate. In addition, open windows and put on a couple of high-powered fans so that the air may be blown out of the building. You saved your clothing from becoming a moth-eaten heap. One mothball in open air takes 3-6 months to dissipate entirely. Store clothes in well-sealed containers or vacuum storage bags to restrict moth access. If you are looking for ways to neutralize the smell of mothballs, there are a number of things you can try to suck it up. I am dealing with Navajo rugs, just unpacked, permeated with mothball smell. The smell is enough to drive moths and other insects, as well as small pests like mice and rats, away from the space. What do mothballs smell like? A bowl of vinegar or activated charcoal (available at most pet stores) will slowly absorb the odor safely. Optionally, you can purchase cedar chips and make something like a moth-repellent potpourri. 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. Start watering your windowsill herb garden again. Vinegar is your best friend when it comes to washable clothes. The chemical odor of mothballs in the fibers of your wardrobe. Wear gloves when handling the pesticide. Getting the mothball smell out of your house can be a time-consuming procedure, but it is possible. Mothballs may dissolve, but there will still be some intact pieces in the storage containers or within the folds of fabric. In my professional opinion, I would only use mothballs in well-ventilated areas, garages, barns, or outbuildings. How do you get rid of mothball smell without washing? Naphthalene may also cause haemolytic anaemia and is a possible carcinogen. SInce mothballs aka the molecule Naphthaline turns into a gas even in the most humid and hot conditions. Whichever material you choose, place it in the areas with the heaviest smells, and change it often until the smell is gone. All containers should also thoroughly be washed out with vinegar after being used. luggage and Tupperware. First apply a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar with a spray bottle. So, make it a habit of opening up the windows and doors of your house including the doors of your closets, and let the air ventilation work. This will prevent you from accidently rubbing those toxins into your eves or into your mouth. How long do mothballs take to work? On 2015-04-07 by Brooke. We used a box of moth balls putting them in the eves with hopes of removing the home of the varmints. Your email address will not be published. Getting the mothball smell out of your house can be a time-consuming procedure, but it is possible. But now youre dealing with the smell of the mothballs you used previously to stop moths and their larvae from wreaking havoc on your wardrobe. If you are wondering how long it takes for the mothballs to stop smelling, keep in mind that it all depends upon the place you put them in. Some people even use face masks, so they dont breathe any of the fumes. How long does it take for mothballs to stop smelling? Then, go over the furniture as you normally would with the wet-vac. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Mothballs are a pesticide so if you want to use them please be sure to only use it for its intended purpose. As the Naphthaline slowly dissolves into a gas it does create a mild toxin. Paradichlorobenzene is a chlorinated hydrocarbon that also sublimates from a solid into a gas. Second, by crossing one odor with the other, youll more than likely create a new odor thats just as disgusting if not worse. Mothballs can be effective at what they do, but that doesn't mean you want them to stick around for too long. These chemicals are known to have a strong, pungent smell that we remember so vividly from our childhood. I followed some bad advice to rid my shed of mice and squirrels. When you have a clothes moth problem, mothballs are a convenient solution for getting the infestation under control. This is one of those products that directions on the label should be strictly followed. Is a Hot Water Heater In the Attic a Good or Bad Idea? Does the mothball smell go away? 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. I went in this am and dang near killed my self, (not really but pretty dang close). You might also choose to use odor-absorbing candles or even coffee grounds. Vacuum-sealed bags can be purchased online. Last but not least, youll always want to use rubber gloves when handling mothballs. Optionally, you can purchase cedar chips and make something like a moth-repellent potpourri. The vapor that comes off of mothballs and kills pests is flammable, making them a serious fire hazard. In Animal Crossing, you can get a Cookie Cart by going to the Cookie Shop and buying a Cookie Cart from the cookie jar. Mothballs are definitely useful when you are at your wits end with clothes moths. For delicates, you can also use a spray bottle instead of soaking. Method 2 Soak the clothes in vinegar If you don't want to wash . Although mothballs have been determined as safe for general use, the fumes can cause health problems. 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. And clothes moths pheromone trap. Getting the mothball smell out of a room or closet is a little more difficult than clothing, although the solutions themselves are simple. If you place the mothball underneath clothing or otherwise not in open air, it will take up to 12 months to completely dissipate. Thanks for your forum. On top of that, the fumes can be absorbed by nearby objects, be it furniture, glass, or other materials. By using our site, you agree to our. And Voila! Just one small caveat: Make sure you have removed the mothballs from the clothing before you start working to remove the odour. First apply a layer of the 50/50 vinegar mix using the vac or a spray bottle, then go over the furniture as you normally would with the wet-vac. A LOT of people have used mothballs in ways they are not intended. Is the smell dangerous? 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). How long does it take for mothballs to stop smelling? 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. And the smell only gets worse the longer you breathe it in. The mothball smell is caused by the chemicals in it, like naphthalenewhich is also present in tobacco smoke. So you dont want that smell hanging in the air like an ominous cloud. The mothball smell stays in your home for months or years after dissipating.How long does mothball odor last? Often, the smell of mothballs never truly ever go away. . You did it! The amount used in that purpose is quite low and shouldnt be harmful unless someone has a severe sensitivity to the chemical. Leave it there overnight. 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. They are a toxic pesticide that should be handled with the utmost care. First apply a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar with a spray bottle. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. The pungent odor of mothballs is the very smell of storage. Neglecting to do this could result in respiratory problems. 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. You can even consider things like essential oils, activated charcoal, or an ozone machine to accelerate the mothball odor removal. Mothballs can sure leave behind an unpleasant smell in rooms, on clothing, and even on your hands. Dangers The chemical naphthalene is dangerous to humans and animals. The hotter and more humid it is the faster the mothballs will dissipate from solid to gas. Yes, the mothball smell will go away on its own. Most people would answer that question with different adjectives, but the consensus is that they smell unpleasantly pungent. Two different types of moths and the pheromone traps have different active ingredients to treat them. What can I do to get rid of the smell? The best performing moth solutions on the market. Mothball odour is a terrible smell to have clinging to your clothing. Most of these eliminators do a good job of eliminating the mothball smell, although they are a more expensive solution than the ones above. 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. Learn more Blech! It means that you can wear your clothes the next day without feeling embarrassed about your clothes reeking of naphthalene. Charcoal tablets are usually sold at pet or department stores in pellet form. {"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":"