Vacuum your entire home. You can't use mothballs in the open, so you'll have to keep your home clear of moth food sources. Vacuum out your drawers, closets, and furniture. Get all areas you normally don't disturb, including under furniture. Use the vacuum to get all lint and hair. [7] X Research source This depends on the type of moth ball you are using. Pyrethroid insecticides, meaning those with active ingredients such as permethrin or transfluthrin (there are many more), are considered broad spectrum, this means they work on a wide range on insects not just the clothes moth. However, a moth ball is designed to be placed in a sealed clothes storage box, so it will be active against the insects that go in your wardrobes and drawers, namely clothes moths for a long time. It is important to always read the label and use the product how it has been intended by the manufacturer. If you don’t have a clothesline, grab a hanger from the closet and secure your apparel to the rail on your balcony or the handle of your front door so it airs out. On rainy days, take your clothes out of the closet and hang them indoors in an open, airy room. How to Get Mothball Smell Out of Clothes in the Laundry

Most moths in the home are actually feeding on plants. Anything longer than 1 cm is likely not eating your clothing. Does the mothball smell go away? The answer is yes, with some hard work. Getting the mothball smell out of your house can be a time-consuming procedure, but it is possible. Plus, the supplies you need to remove mothball smells are already available in your home, like a couple of cleaning rags, a spray bottle, and some white vinegar. You can even consider things like essential oils, activated charcoal, or an ozone machine to accelerate the mothball odour removal. As discussed in more detail at Tineola bisselliella, alternatives to mothballs to control clothes moths include dry cleaning, freezing, thorough vacuuming, and washing in hot water. [16] Camphor is also used as a moth repellent, particularly in China. [17] Unlike naphthalene and dichlorobenzene, camphor has medicinal applications and is not regarded as a carcinogen, though it is toxic in large doses. Red cedar wood and oil is also used as an alternative moth repellent. [18]Mothballs have a recognizable musty, off-putting stench and are often described as smelling like chemicals. Getting mothball smell out of clothes may seem challenging, yet with a few helpful tips, it’s easy to freshen up your garments. DIY Spray for Removing Mothball Smell from Clothes

When it’s time to wear your clothes, air them outside for a day or more first to eliminate any traces of gas or odour, then wash as normal with detergent and fabric softener. 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. Extended exposure may result in kidney and liver damage. Naphthalene may also cause haemolytic anaemia and is a possible carcinogen. Will dry cleaning remove the scent of mothballs?Store clothing in airtight containers. Moths cannot get into plastic boxes or bags that are sealed, no matter how stained the clothing. Storing clean clothing in these containers is a great way to protect clothing without depending on toxic mothballs. [3] X Research source Home >> How To >> Eliminate Odor and Smell >> Smelly and Stinky Clothes and Laundry How to Get Mothball Smell Out of Clothes The odor can be particularly stubborn in rooms or closets where mothballed clothes have been stored. To remove these odors, leave out bowls of vinegar or plates of activated charcoal in the affected areas. (Activated charcoal is sold in various pellet sizes and is usually available at pet stores.) You can also try placing containers of coffee grounds or odor-absorbing candles for similar results. Whichever material you choose, place it in the areas with the heaviest smells, and change it often until the smell is gone. Mothball Alternatives If you find yourself in an unfortunate wardrobe situation where your clothes smell like mothballs, yet you have no time to clean them, don’t panic. While the techniques to remove the stench from the fabric all take time to complete, it is possible to mask the odor temporarily so you can wear your clothes now and clean them later.