How to Remove a Mothball Smell

Mothballs are good at their job: protecting clothes from insects. However, mothballs are also very good at leaving those clothes and other items with a distinct smell. While the aroma of mothballs can be strong and unsavory, it, like the insects it keeps away, doesn't have to be around and can be sent packing.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Febreze
• Baby powder
• Laundry access

1. Wash. Often clothes that have the mothball smell have just been removed from storage. Try washing the clothes several times and do not use the dryer. If the smell remains after each wash, a laundry room dryer could make the smell more resistant. Use regular detergent if clothing is colored and bleach if clothes are white.

2. Use air and circulation. After washing the clothes, rather than use the dryer, hang the clothes outside on a clothesline or place them in an open window. Air circulation is good for pulling the scent and remaining particles from mothballs away from the clothes.

3. Use deodorizer. Once the clothes have dried out in the open where air can circulate, use deodorizer to insert a more desired smell. Febreze products are good at replacing a wide variety of smells with their own.

4. Dry with baby powder. Sprinkling baby powder on the mothball-smelling items and then placing them in the dryer can assist in removing and replacing the mothball smell. A medium to heavy dusting of powder should suffice. Clothes can be wet or dry at time of application.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider professional dry cleaning if smell persists. Consider vacuum sealing and cedar blocks instead of mothballs.
• Don't dry clothes if smell remains.