How to Get Rid of Moth Ball Odor in a Home
Moth balls are small white balls of chemical pesticide and deodorant used for storing clothing. Moth balls are often found in attics where older materials may be stored. As the balls slowly break down into a gas form, they can leave an unpleasant odor in your clothes. Also, if you remove items from an area where there were moth balls, their strong odor may remain. Removing this odor will restore your home to a livable state. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Baby powder
- Hair dryer
- Shop vac
- Tumble dryer
- Fabric softener sheets
- Odor remover
Instructions
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1
Locate the moth balls in your home and remove them. Wear a face mask and rubber gloves when removing the moth balls, and dispose of them in a garbage bag by themselves. If you want to keep the moth balls, make sure to store them in jars that will seal the scent.
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2
Sprinkle baby powder over the area where the moth balls have left their scent, such on as the floor of a closet, or on a wall or carpet. Baby powder is safe for all of these areas.
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3
Turn on your hair dryer at a medium setting and blow over the area that you just covered with the baby powder. "Dry" the area for a least five minutes.
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4
Use a shop vac to vacuum up any excess powder from furniture or carpet.
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5
Use an deodorizer or scented spray for for closets and rooms where the smell was. Try opening a window and running a fan to vent out the smell. Also, consider adding a deodorizing sprayer that can be plugged into an electrical outlet and set to a specific time to spray the room or closet.
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6
Remove lingering smell from your clothes by adding your clothes to a tumble dryer. Add at least two sheets of fabric softener and allow the clothes to spin for five minutes. If you can still smell the moth balls, thoroughly wash clothes or blankets with a strong detergent.
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7
Purchase a chemical odor remover from your local store and apply to your carpet as directed on the label.
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