How to Get the Smell of Moth Balls Out of a Room

Mothballs are frequently used in closets to repel moths.

While mothballs can protect stored clothing from fabric-eating moths, the pungent chemical odor can linger long after the mothballs are gone. Rather than dealing with a strong odor that can sting your eyes and make it nearly impossible to enjoy a room, you can remove the smell of mothballs with a combination of simple remedies and techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• Dishwashing detergent
• Sponge
• Clean cloths
• Dehumidifier
• Small bowls
• White vinegar

Instructions

1. Remove and discard any existing mothballs in the room.

2. 

   Fresh air circulating through the room helps get rid of mothball odor.

   Open all windows in the room each day it doesn't rain for an entire month. If the weather is cold, even fresh air for 30 to 60 minutes per day is helpful. Airing out the room is the most effective way to remove mothball smell but requires persistence and consistency.

3. 

   Detergent solution helps remove strong mothball odors.

   Pour a quarter-sized amount of dishwashing detergent into a bucket and fill the bucket with 1 gallon of hot water. Soak a sponge in the soapy water then wring out the sponge before washing down all hard surfaces in the room. Blot smelly upholstery and carpeting with the soapy sponge as well.

4. Rinse off the washed surfaces with a clean, damp cloth. Dry them with another cloth.

5. Run a dehumidifier at night when the room windows are closed. Keeping the room dry helps remove the odor.

6. Place a couple of small bowls in the room and fill them halfway with white vinegar. Leave the bowls in the room for three days to absorb and neutralize the mothball smell.

Tips & Warnings

• Substitute cedar oil for mothballs to keep fabric-eating moths away from clothing and textiles.

• Place cotton balls with a few drops of vanilla extract on them in a room with mothball smell. Vanilla is a natural odor absorber and leaves behind a pleasant aroma.

References

• Good Housekeeping; Mothball Odor in Car Interior; Heloise
• Good Housekeeping; Mom's Household Cleaning Tips: Toss In Some Mothballs; Heloise
• University of Kentucky; Odors: What's That Smell?: Stale Room; Linda R. Adler, M.A.; January 1997