Brooke Martin
The strong and unpleasant odour of mothballs can be extremely difficult to remove from a house, clothing, or furniture. It is caused by the toxic chemicals naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which can be harmful to human health. While candles can be used to mask the smell, they do not eliminate it. Instead, natural remedies such as vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and heat are recommended to remove the odour from fabrics. For wooden furniture, a solution of vinegar and water can be sprayed or wiped on. To remove the smell from a house, bowls of vinegar, coffee grounds, or activated charcoal can be left out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness of candles in covering up mothball smell | Varied results, some sources claim that candles don't work, while others suggest using odor-absorbing candles |
| Other methods to cover up mothball smell | Vinegar, lemon juice, deodorants, perfumes, baking soda, coffee grounds, air fresheners, charcoal |
| Health impact of mothballs | Nausea, dizziness, fatigue, lack of appetite, restlessness, headaches |
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What You'll Learn
Natural alternatives to candles for covering up mothball smell
Mothballs are small balls of unpleasant-smelling chemical pesticides used in older houses to repel pests and insects like moths and mice. The smell of mothballs can be extremely difficult to remove and can last for years. The chemicals in mothballs, naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene, are toxic and can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, fatigue, and restlessness if inhaled for too long.
Vinegar
White vinegar is a versatile, cheap, and pet- and child-safe deodorizer. It contains acetic acid, which neutralizes alkaline odors. To use vinegar to cover up the smell of mothballs, mix it with warm water and mop the floors with the solution. Alternatively, you can prepare a solution of vinegar and lemon juice and dab it on affected clothing or fabric furniture. Let the solution sit for a while before rinsing it off with warm water. For delicate fabrics, you can soak them in a bucket filled with eight parts warm water and one part vinegar.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds can be used to suppress the smell of mothballs. Place a bowl of coffee grounds in the affected area or in enclosed spaces like drawers and closets. Alternatively, stuff a paper pouch of freshly ground coffee beans into shoes or other enclosed spaces to absorb the mothball odor.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is another natural deodorizer that can be used to cover up mothball smells. Sprinkle baking soda liberally on fabric-covered furniture or place a bowl of baking soda in enclosed spaces.
Natural Repellents
Natural repellents like bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, eucalyptus leaves, peppercorns, rosemary, thyme, wormwood, and lavender can be used to deter moths. These can be placed in sachet bags and stored with clothing to provide a pleasant scent while driving away moths.
Cedar
Cedar oil is a powerful, natural repellent that can be used to keep moths away from clothing. Cedar chips, blocks, hangers, balls, or chips can be placed in closets and wardrobes to deter moths. However, the scent is short-lived, and cedar products will need to be replaced every 2-3 months.
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Using vinegar to cover up mothball smell
Mothballs are small balls of unpleasant-smelling chemical pesticides used in older houses to keep away mould and moth larvae. They contain either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, both toxic chemicals that can be harmful if inhaled for too long. The smell of mothballs can be extremely difficult to remove and may never truly go away.
One of the most successful methods for removing the smell of mothballs is to use vinegar. Vinegar is an odour-absorbing material that can help remove the mothball smell from your clothes and living space. Here are some ways you can use vinegar to cover up the mothball smell:
For Clothes
- Soak washable clothing in a white vinegar solution. Mix equal parts warm water and white vinegar in a large bowl. Submerge the clothing in the mixture for 10-20 minutes, then launder it as normal to rinse out the vinegar.
- Alternatively, put the clothes in the washing machine and run a cycle using only vinegar. Follow up with another wash cycle using detergent and softener.
- For more delicate fabrics, combine vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spritz the fabric. Hang the clothing somewhere well-ventilated to dry and air out for 4-5 hours.
- Prepare a solution of vinegar and lemon juice, then dab this mixture on the areas of clothing that have a mothball smell. Let the solution sit for a while before rinsing it off with warm water.
For Floors
Mix some vinegar with warm water and mop the floors with the solution. Keep the rooms properly ventilated when mopping.
For Rooms
Place a bowl of vinegar in the room to absorb any leftover mothball smell.
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Using candles, sprays, and baking soda to cover up mothball smell
Mothballs are small pellets made of deodorant and pesticides that repel moths and insects. While they are effective in protecting clothes and furniture from damage, their pungent smell is off-putting and can be challenging to get rid of. The chemicals in mothballs, such as naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene, are toxic and can cause health issues like headaches, nausea, and dizziness when inhaled for prolonged periods. Therefore, it is essential to remove the mothball smell from your living space.
While candles, sprays, and baking soda can help cover up the mothball smell, they may not eliminate it completely. Here are some ways to use these items to manage the odour:
Candles
Odour-absorbing candles can help neutralise the smell of mothballs. Place these candles in areas with heavy smells and replace them frequently until the mothball odour dissipates. However, it is important to note that in some cases, the smell of candles may not be strong enough to cover up the mothball odour completely.
Sprays
Sprays like Febreze and other fragrance sprays can be used to mask the mothball smell temporarily. You can also use a mixture of vinegar and lemon juice in a spray bottle and spritz it on affected fabrics and surfaces. This natural solution will help neutralise the odour and leave a fresh scent.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is highly effective in absorbing odours. For fabric-covered furniture, sprinkle baking soda liberally and let it sit for an hour or overnight to absorb the mothball smell. For enclosed spaces like drawers and cabinets, place a bowl of baking soda inside to neutralise the odour.
While candles, sprays, and baking soda can help manage the mothball smell, a more comprehensive solution involves using vinegar, heat, and natural alternatives. Vinegar is highly effective in removing mothball odours from clothes, furniture, and floors. Mix vinegar with warm water and use it to wipe down wood furniture or mop floors. For clothes, soak them in a vinegar solution or wash them in the machine using vinegar instead of detergent. Heat can also help remove the smell, so using a hot iron or placing clothes in the dryer on 'air only' mode can be effective. Additionally, natural moth repellents made with lavender blossoms, whole cloves, and cedar chips can be placed in breathable sachets to deter moths and leave a pleasant scent.
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Using coffee grounds to cover up mothball smell
Mothballs are small balls of unpleasant-smelling chemical pesticides used in older houses to keep away mould and moth larvae. The chemicals in mothballs, such as naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene, are toxic and can be harmful to humans if inhaled for too long. The smell of mothballs can be extremely difficult to remove, and it may take weeks, months, or even years to get rid of the odour completely.
One way to temporarily mask the smell of mothballs is by using coffee grounds. Coffee grounds have deodorising properties and can help suppress the strong scent of mothballs. Here are some ways to use coffee grounds to cover up the mothball smell:
For Shoes:
Stuff a paper pouch with freshly ground coffee beans and place it inside your shoes for at least a week. The coffee scent will overpower the mothball odour, and the coffee grounds will also help absorb the smell.
For Closets and Rooms:
Place a bowl of coffee grounds in the closet or room where the mothball smell is strongest. The coffee grounds will absorb and neutralise the odour, leaving a pleasant coffee aroma.
For Floors:
If your floors are affected by the mothball smell, you can create a mixture of warm water, baking soda, and dish soap. Mop the floors with this solution, ensuring the mop is only slightly damp to avoid water pooling. Alternatively, sprinkle baking soda directly onto carpets and let it sit overnight before vacuuming. This will help eliminate the mothball odour and neutralise any remaining coffee aroma.
While coffee grounds can help mask the mothball smell, it is important to note that this is only a temporary solution. For a more permanent fix, odour removal specialists may be required. Additionally, ensuring proper ventilation and air circulation can help dissipate the mothball smell and improve the overall air quality in your home.
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Using bowls of vinegar and charcoal to cover up mothball smell
Vinegar and charcoal are both known to absorb the pungent smell of mothballs. Here are some ways to use bowls of vinegar and charcoal to cover up the mothball smell:
Using Bowls of Vinegar
White vinegar is a great natural odour absorber. To use vinegar to eliminate the mothball smell, mix equal parts of it with warm water in a bowl. Place the bowl of vinegar near the source of the odour, such as in a closet or any enclosed room. Leave it for several days or until the odour dissipates. You can also mop the floors with a vinegar and warm water solution, ensuring proper ventilation.
Using Bowls of Charcoal
Activated charcoal is another excellent odour absorber. Simply leave a small bowl of activated charcoal in an enclosed room with your clothing or near the source of the odour. Check back every few days and leave the bowl out for as long as it takes to banish the odour, which may take several days to a couple of weeks.
Using Vinegar and Charcoal Together
You can also use vinegar and charcoal together to combat the mothball smell. For this, mix vinegar and warm water and mop the floors with the solution, ensuring the room is well-ventilated. Then, place a bowl of vinegar and a bowl of activated charcoal in the room, near the source of the odour.
It's important to note that while vinegar and charcoal can help absorb the mothball smell, it may take some time for the odour to completely dissipate, especially if the smell is ingrained in the house.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles with strong fragrances can be used to mask the smell of mothballs temporarily. However, some people claim that they can still smell the mothballs through the scent of the candle.
Some alternatives to candles include vinegar, baking soda, coffee grounds, and air purifiers.
To use vinegar to cover up the mothball smell, mix it with warm water and mop the floors with the solution. Ensure that the room is properly ventilated. You can also place bowls of vinegar in the affected areas.
To use coffee grounds to cover up the mothball smell, place them in containers and leave them in the areas with the heaviest smells. Change them out often until the mothball smell is gone.
