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. Also avoid moisture in the carpet, paying particular attention to areas where indoor plants are kept. Dealing with pantry moths Don’t place the clothes straight in your washing machine, as the smell can transfer to your other garments.

Due to the harmful chemicals naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene found within these mothballs we DO NOT sell them and would advise against using them for your own safety. Carolyn Klass & Prof. Edgar M. Raffensperger, Indian Meal Moth factsheet (PDF), Cornell Insect Diagnostic Laboratory, 1973, updated 2012 Research at the University of Colorado at Boulder revealed a probable mechanism for the carcinogenic effects of mothballs and some types of air fresheners. [10] [11] You did it! You saved your clothing from becoming a moth-eaten heap. But now you’re dealing with the smell of the mothballs you used previously to stop moths and their larvae from wreaking havoc on your wardrobe. Obviously, you can’t go to work or out to run errands smelling like a musty attic. You need a solution to get rid of the mothball smell—and fast. Due to the health risks of 1,4-dichlorobenzene, and flammability of naphthalene, other substances like camphor are sometimes used.You might be pulling your hair out yelling “my house smells like mothballs”! Not to worry, here are some methods for getting rid of the pesticide scent around your home: Although occasionally used as snake repellent, mothball use as a rodent, squirrel, or bat repellent is illegal in many areas, and tends to cause more annoyance and hazard to humans than to the target pest. [3] [1] However, mothballs continue to be advertised as squirrel repellent and are an ingredient in some commercial vermin and snake repellent products. Keep clothing clean: Clothing with food or sweat on it is extra attractive so don't put dirty items in your wardrobe Carolyn Klass, Beetles Infesting Woolens Factsheet (PDF), Cornell Insect Diagnostic Laboratory, 1972, updated 2013

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. Lavender and essential oils: Essential oils or sachets of dried herbs like lavender, thyme, bay leaves and cloves can also deter moths (consider instead of traditional moth balls) While they effectively deter clothes moths, the odor of mothballs seeps deep into wood and fabric fibers, persisting for years even after you remove the balls. If there are still mothballs in the closet, take them out, along with all your clothes and shoes.Pour half a cup of active charcoal into a shallow bowl and set it inside your closet where there’s a mothball aroma. The charcoal works to draw in any scents; change it out monthly so it continues to keep your clothes fresh. Air Freshener Masks Mothball Odor 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 If you have a pantry moth infestation, first you need to dispose of any affected food stuffs and give your pantry a big clean, wiping all shelves to make sure you get any remaining eggs.

The traditional napthalene and paradichlorobenzene based moth balls, which I stress again are banned, are active against insects and animals.Uncommon Uses for Common Household Products. Frank W. Cawood and Associates. 2000. p.126. ISBN 978-1-890957-39-1. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020 . Retrieved November 3, 2016. Many people have the same questions about ridding their home of mothball smell once and for all. Here are the most common mothball-related questions: Will the mothball smell go away? How long does a mothball smell last?

After you’ve confirmed that you have clothing moths (or any cloth-eating bugs), take the following steps to clean your clothes and closet:

Some Traditional Herbal Medicines, Some Mycotoxins, Naphthalene and Styrene". IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. 82: 367. 2002. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016 . Retrieved December 25, 2008. Bug issues often don’t resolve themselves on the first try. When they don’t, keep in mind that hiring a pest-control operator is often the next best step. Sources Make a lemon juice and white vinegar solution. In a small bowl, mix together some vinegar and lemon juice. Grab a clean cloth to dab the solution onto the places on the clothing or shoes where the mothball smell is the strongest.