On 2015-04-07 by Brooke. The fumes are very toxic, and you could become ill with prolonged exposure. Take a small bowl and put baking soda in it. Mothballs can be effective at what they do, but that doesnt mean you want them to stick around for too long. SInce mothballs aka the molecule Naphthaline turns into a gas even in the most humid and hot conditions. 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. For mothball odor in your closest or any other room, put out a bowl of vinegar or coffee grounds to absorb the odor. How Long Does It Take For Mothballs To Stop Smelling Health Effects of Mothballs. Naphthalene General Fact Sheet - Oregon State University Its important to note that you should never dry your clothes until the odor of the mothballs has been completely eliminated. Use these sachets in areas of concern; replace them as the scent wears off to ensure prevention. To remove mothball smell with baking soda, mix baking soda and water together in a bowl until you have a fine paste. How Do You Get A Cookie Cart In Animal Crossing. While airing the musty items out helps dissipate the scent, a little DIY know-how and some dedicated effort can help get rid of the mothball smell more quickly. For very strong mothball smells, sprinkle baby powder on your hands after washing them and rub it into your skin. Are You Infested? The pleasant scent of coffee will cover the scent of mothballs, while the baking soda and cedar work to absorb the smell and any moisture. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. The best performing moth solutions on the market. Even handling mothballs can cause your hands and eyes to itch and burn. All Rights Reserved. You might also choose to use odor-absorbing candles or even coffee grounds. Next, place the bowl in your closet where you are keeping your clothes. the smells can linger and will slowly dissipate over time. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. If you put the mothball under fabric or someplace where there is no air circulation, it takes about 12 months to dissipate! Moth Hatching Season: When Are Moths Active, How to Get Rid of Drain Flies / Moth Flies in Your Bathroom. Since they contain toxic chemicals, you should never leave them lying around. If you want to get rid of the mothball smell in your clothes, you can use a variety of methods. Does the mothball smell go away? Learn more Blech! You dont want this chemical mixing with the chemicals in the air freshener. There are no uses for mothballs outside in the open. 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. But mothballs smell horrible and are also dangerous when left around your home for long periods. Make sure that you store moth balls and toilet cakes safely. Apart from that, you can also use air fresheners to cover up the smell of mothballs. Although mothballs have been determined as safe for general use, the fumes can cause health problems. Thanks for your forum. Getting rid of the mothball smell is really not that hard, you just have to take care of a few things. Pest Insider is affiliated with products and services I personally use and trust. 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. Mothballs can also be used to soak up moisture and prevent mould growth. 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. Letting the product naturally air out should eventually get rid of the smell but having activated charcoal or baking soda nearby may speed up the process. https://www.youtube.com . First, as mothballs evaporate, they leave a gas in the air. The hotter and more humid it is the faster the mothballs will dissipate from solid to gas. If you make the decision to use mothballs just make sure that you use them as directed on the labeling. One of the fastest ways to get rid of the mothball smell is by letting the fresh air into your house and anything that stinks of naphthalene. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. This is one of those products that directions on the label should be strictly followed. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. 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. The problem is that mothballs are themselves rather unpleasant smelling and tend to leave that odor behind long after the balls themselves dissolve. As the Naphthaline slowly dissolves into a gas it does create a mild toxin. Here are some ways for removing mothball odour from clothes: Have none of these methods worked for ridding your shoes of mothball smell? Erase the scent of mothballs from your hands with lemon-scented dish detergent, toothpaste, baking soda, tomato juice, or orange rinds. Weve had mice problems and someone told me to put mothballs. And though Paradichlorobenzene is less toxic than Naphthalene it is still a pesticide and it still releases an irritating gas into the air. Copyright 2023 Moth Prevention. A detailed Buyer's Guide to choose the best smell proof accessories. To learn how to use toothpaste or tomato juice to remove the smell of mothballs from your hands, read on! The fumes from naphthalene moth balls can last for several months, while the fumes from paradichlorobenzene moth balls can last for up to a year.. This chemical dissolves at room temperature overtime and turns into a gas that enters the air. If those options dont work for you, storing clothing inside garment bags or storage containers may also prove effective. Whatever method you choose, be sure not to put the clothes in the dryer until the smell is gone, as heat could permanently set any mothball smell that remains. I just want to make it clear that mothballs are fine if you want to use them in the correct way I am not going to knock anyone who wants to get rid of their pest issues by using this method. Make sure to dispose of the old mothballs correctly. Made from either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, these little lumps of pesticide give off a toxic vapor that not only kills moths and their larva but also kills or repels a number of other insects. Extended exposure may result in kidney and liver damage. Some people even use face masks, so they dont breathe any of the fumes. To get rid of this smell, its recommended that you never use any sort of air freshener to cover up the smell. A LOT of people have used mothballs in ways they are not intended. Leave it there overnight. When safely used they and are effective deterrent. Once the baking soda has sat long enough to absorb the smell, vacuum it up. Optionally, you can purchase cedar chips and make something like a moth-repellent potpourri. To learn how to use toothpaste or tomato juice to remove the smell of mothballs from your hands, read on! Like mentioned earlier, mothballs evaporate into a gas overtime thats very toxic to your health. One mothball in open air takes 3-6 months to dissipate entirely. Yes, the mothball smell will go away on its own. How To Get Rid Of Mice? There are too many things out there that work so much better. Pop the pouch inside the shoes and leave it there for about a week. Vinegar is your best friend when it comes to washable clothes. One of the best natural repellents is cedar wood. 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. 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, High-Performance Clothes & Carpet Moth Trap Refills - 6 Pack, Powerful Pantry Moth Traps 15pk - Versatile and Effective | Results Guaranteed. Otherwise, the odor will never leave. There are a number of mothball odor eliminators on the market, each with their own qualities. No vinegar on hand? To date, weve helped over 150,000 customers deal with their moth problems. You may need a specialized odor eliminator to nix the mothball odor. Both are potential carcinogens, poisonous and may cause nausea, dizziness, restlessness, lack of appetite, fatigue, headaches, and more. And we have some shocking news for you: a single mothball takes about 3-6 months to dissipate completely. By neglecting to do this, you could make yourself quite sick. I do understand the fear that people must have when they see a snake or rodents and other wildlife animals, however, that is not its intended purpose. How long does it take for mothballs to stop smelling? Method 2 Soak the clothes in vinegar If you don't want to wash . If you are using them indoors they will usually last between 2-3 months. Mothballs are definitely useful when you are at your wits end with clothes moths. Get some activated charcoal. Youll want to get rid of those lingering chemicals for your households sake. they want to know if they are infested with bugs. Just one small caveat: Make sure you have removed the mothballs from the clothing before you start working to remove the odor. Finally hung open bags of mothballs in my attic. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If youre unfamiliar with what mothballs technically are, theyre small, tiny balls of deodorant and pesticide that help keep your belongings clean and protected. Never keep mothballs in areas that people and pets use frequently. Some good places to store your extra mothballs include cupboards up high, locked sheds, and even lock boxes. Mothball odour is a terrible smell to have clinging to your clothing. Another method that works well is simply opening up the windows and letting the odor scape. Most of these eliminators do a good job of eliminating the mothball smell, although they are a more expensive solution than the ones above. They can protect your clothing from moths and larvae for up to 3 months. Mothballs: 10 Important Facts to Know - Food Storage Moms Does One Bug Mean Many? Eliminating a mothball smell can be infuriating and tricky. Alternatively, put the clothes in . Take the following steps to reduce your exposure to chemicals. Tomato juice can effectively remove unwanted smells and odors. For . I followed some bad advice to rid my shed of mice and squirrels. Six months later not one problem. We've even outlined some ways to keep your clothes smelling great, so you don't have to worry about mothball odors in the future. Mothballs can pollute water sources damage soil and foliage, and if children or other animals get ahold of them there could be serious consequences even death. Are Moths Attracted to Light and UV Light? If you worry that you wont be able to successfully remove the mothball smell from clothing, then you can seek out professional assistance. Required fields are marked *. 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. Next time you want to stop clothes moths from chewing holes in your sweaters and coats, consider using an alternative to mothballs. A dry cleaner should be able to get rid of the smell of mothballs. 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. She apparently put mothballs in her attic that she moved out of. We used a box of moth balls putting them in the eves with hopes of removing the home of the varmints. Next time you want to stop clothes moths from chewing holes in your sweaters and coats, consider using an alternative to mothballs. The Dangers of Mothballs: Do You Have Naphthalene or - IndoorDoctor How Long Do Mothballs Last? An Instructional Article to Using - H2ouse They are airing in the sun outside this week. How to Get Rid of a Mothball Smell - MothPrevention The choice is yours! An Informative Guide to Mini Goats, Knowing When to Plant Ranunculus Is Critical for Optimal Growth. It does take several months for a mothballed gas to completely go away. 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. How long does it take for moth balls to work? - November 13, 2022 For this purpose, you will need a good sanitizer. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Mailing Address: 9169 West State St., Suite 2867, Garden City ID 83714Phone No: (208) 549-9411. But, if put in-between clothes, it will take up to 12 months for it to dissipate. It says directly on the label to only use them in a sealed container where the fumes are contained. Alternatively, buy activated charcoal from a pet or department store and put a bowl of that in the space that smells. Dry cleaning is not recommended, so, if needed, maybe the 1:1 vinegar water with a wet vac will solve the problem. When your mothballs have been totally evaporated, youll know its time to add new ones. Mothballs are a common home remedy due to their pesticidal properties and ability to negate other bad smells. Why? Both of these chemicals are toxic fumigants (which means they volatilize into the. Mothballs can sure leave behind an unpleasant smell in rooms, on clothing, and even on your hands. 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 can cause severe effects that should be taken care of immediately. The smell, however, may remain in your home for months or years after the last used mothball. {"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":"