How to Get the Mothball Smell Out of Clothes
The harsh chemical mothball smell clings to clothes and closets long after the mothballs are gone, because the chemicals soak into fabric and porous surfaces. Air everything out, wash what you can, and switch to cedar, and the smell lifts.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why the mothball smell lingers
Mothballs are pesticides that work by releasing a strong vapor, and that vapor saturates fabric, wood, and the closet itself. The smell is stubborn because it has soaked in.
Airing and washing draw it back out over time, which is really the only way to clear it. There is no quick spray that fixes soaked-in mothball odor.
How to get rid of it, step by step
- Remove the mothballs and ventilate. Get rid of the mothballs and open the closet or room up, since fresh air and time do the most.
- Air out the clothes. Hang affected clothes outside or in a breezy spot for days, since sunlight and air break the smell down.
- Wash or dry-clean. Launder washable items with a cup of vinegar in the wash, using a baking soda soak for stubborn cases, and dry-clean the rest.
- Deodorize with absorbers. Seal items with baking soda, activated charcoal, or coffee grounds, not touching the fabric, in a bin for several days.
- Clean the closet. Wipe it down and set out charcoal or baking soda, then use cedar blocks going forward to freshen and deter moths.
Cedar is the swap that prevents a repeat. It deters moths and absorbs odor without leaving the harsh chemical smell that mothballs soak into everything.
Keep it from coming back
Use cedar or lavender instead of mothballs, and store clothes clean in breathable garment bags.
Keep the closet ventilated, since a stagnant closet holds odors of every kind.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the mothball smell handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your home, Out of Office fits well. It is light and tropical, with spearmint, pineapple, and coconut, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the mothball smell out of clothes?
Air them out for several days, wash washable items with vinegar, and dry-clean the rest. Absorbers like baking soda or charcoal in a sealed bin help stubborn cases.
Why is the mothball smell so hard to remove?
The mothball vapor soaks into fabric and porous surfaces, so it has to be drawn back out with air and washing rather than covered up.
What can I use instead of mothballs?
Cedar blocks or lavender sachets deter moths without the harsh chemical smell. Store clothes clean and keep the closet ventilated.
Are mothballs safe?
Mothballs are pesticides, and the smell is the vapor they release, so use them per the label and ventilate well, especially around children and pets.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
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