How to Remove Mothball Smell From Wool Sweaters
People use mothballs when storing cloth materials such as wool sweaters to protect them from damaging insects such as moths and beetles that feed on wool and other animal fibers by using naphthalene, a vaporous insecticide. Mothballs can be very effective but the smell can be difficult to destroy. You may have to try one or several odor removal methods before the distinctive odor is finally gone. So before you throw your sweaters away or place them in your washing machine with hot water, consider all of the alternatives. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Clothes hangers
- White vinegar
- Mothball odor removal pouch
- Ionizer machine
Instructions
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Hang your wool sweaters outside on a sunny day. Direct sunshine and fresh air is the first line of defense to mothball odor removal. Bring them inside when the sun goes down and repeat the process until the smell is gone.
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Wash your sweaters if they are machine washable by filling up your washer with cold water and 1 cup of white vinegar. Place the sweaters in the water and allow the washer to complete its full cycle. Hang or lay flat to dry. If the mothball odor is still present, repeat this process until it is gone or try another method. Take your sweaters to a dry cleaner if they cannot be machine-washed.
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Purchase a mothball odor remover such as Smelleze. This type of product works by attracting and absorbing mothball odors within an enclosed space. One pouch will work in an area of less than 150 square feet. Hang your wool sweaters in a closet or put into a drawer. Take the plastic covering off the pouch and place into the closet or drawer with the sweaters and close. Change the pouches once per week until the mothball odor is gone.
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Purchase an ionizer machine. An ionizer is commonly used to remove a wide variety of odors from many sources. It works by emitting ozone that destroys odor. Hang your wool sweaters in small enclosed space and turn the machine on. The ionizer works with an optional 60-minute timer or you can turn on and leave on as long as needed.
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Tips & Warnings
It may take many attempts to get the mothball smell out of your clothing, but it can be done. Start with the simplest removal method such as airing out in the sunshine before you invest in the more costly methods.
Naphthalene is a toxic substance. Do not wear clothing emitting this odor until the odor (vapor) is removed.
Do not apply heat such as with an iron or hot water to your sweaters. Heat (with the exception of sunlight) can cause the odor to permanently set into the fabric.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit sweaters image by Ruta Saulyte from Fotolia.com
