Finding a moth hole in your favorite cozy winter sweater after storing it can be disheartening. Even so, addressing this issue comes with its own challenges.
While mothballs are effective at deterring pests and protecting your wool, cotton, and cashmere garments, they often leave behind a stubborn, musty odor.
We consulted professional cleaners for their best laundry hacks to remove the smell of mothballs, featuring budget-friendly solutions using items you likely have at home.
Ways to Remove Mothball Odors from Clothes
Understanding Mothballs
'Mothballs protect natural fiber garments like wool from insects that feed on or lay eggs in them,' explains a pest control expert. 'They're not just for moths but can also deter mice, which can damage your clothes if they get the chance.'
However, these potent chemical pesticides may leave an unpleasant scent on your clothing, unless you opt for less odorous formulations.
Here are three expert-approved strategies to help tackle this problem.
1. Air Out Your Laundry
One of the simplest ways to eliminate mothball odors is by air drying your laundry, whether outdoors on a line or indoors on a drying rack.
'I recommend hanging clothes outside, especially on a breezy day,' says a cleaning expert. 'I faced a similar problem, and washing didn't help, but airing them out in fresh air did the trick!'
It may take a couple of days, but the fresh scent is worth it. If you have pets, keep them away from the drying area, as mothball chemicals can be harmful to them.
When drying indoors, ensure good ventilation by opening windows and placing your drying rack nearby. I found the Joseph Joseph Eclipse Indoor Clothes Airer to be perfect for tight spaces.
This innovative airer has a fabric screen to hide laundry while it dries, offers 45 feet of drying space, and folds flat for easy storage.
2. Utilize Vinegar
Vinegar can tackle a variety of cleaning tasks around your home. A cleaning service co-owner suggests using it to remove mothball odors from clothing.
'My preferred method is to wash clothes with vinegar. It may sound counterintuitive, but the smell disappears once the clothes dry,' she shares.
Add a cup of vinegar to your wash cycle, ensuring you know the best timing for vinegar in laundry. If you don't want to wash everything, consider using a spray bottle filled with a vinegar-water mix to freshen your garments.
3. Apply Baking Soda
Pest experts recommend using baking soda, another household staple, to combat mothball odors.
'Baking soda serves as a natural deodorizer, so having an open box in your closet can help neutralize odors from mothballs,' they explain.
Place an open box in your closet or hang a sachet filled with baking soda from the rails. Replace it every month or as necessary.
This versatile product is great for deodorizing, cleaning, and can be used for various household tasks.
