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Monthball Smell In Your House? What Caused It And To Remove The Smell

Published by 911 Restoration New Orleans on August 10, 2022 in category: Blog

If your house is older, it’s not uncommon to smell mothballs. Although it’s not something anyone wants, the smell can be very difficult to eliminate. Mothballs are the simple answer. Naphthalene is the chemical responsible for the mothball smell. Naphthalene is also found in tobacco smoke and in the air of highly polluted areas. Naphthalene is also used by companies that make products like ink, dyes, coal and tars, preserve wood, and tan leathers. Your house could develop a strong mothball smell if it is near these sources.

 

What are Mothballs?

Mothballs, small balls of chemical pesticide that smell unpleasant, are used to control mold and moth larvae in older homes. Despite its many benefits, getting rid of the mothballs smell is still a concern for many.

It is not only unpleasant but it can also be harmful if inhaled long enough. Mothballs may contain paradichlorobenzene or naphthalene. These toxic chemicals are known to subliminate from a solid state to a gaseous one. These fumes can cause severe headaches, dizziness and nausea, as well as fatigue, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, restlessness, and other symptoms.

 

What are Mothballs used for?

The mothballs’ odor repels insects like mice and moths, as well as absorbing liquids, which prevents mold growth.

 

What is the Dissipation Time of Mothballs?

It takes between 3 and 6 months for a mothball to completely dissipate in open air. It can take as long as 12 months for a mothball to dissipate completely if it is placed under clothing or in open air. Mothballs can remain in your home for many months or even years after they have dissipated. The mothball smell can last for years.

 

How to get rid of the Mothball Smell?

Mothball removal can be a time-consuming and difficult process. It is best to call in professionals like 911 Restoration of New Orleans. If you want to remove the mothball smell yourself, common remedies like vinegar and baking soda can be used. We can help you eliminate the mothball smells:

  • Clothing
  • Shoes
  • Blankets
  • Zimmer

 

Mothball Smells in Clothing: Get Rid Of It

Make a mixture of vinegar and lemon juice and apply it to the mothball-smelling areas. Allow the solution to sit for at least 30 minutes before washing it off with warm water. You can also remove mothball smell by using heat. To do this, press the clothes with a hot iron or hang them out in the sun. You can also wash the clothes with vinegar, instead of detergent.Mothball odor can be difficult to eliminate for weeks. This should be repeated several times. Temporarily masking the odor with perfumes or deodorants is also possible.

 

Mothball Smells from Shoes Must Be Remove

To remove the mothball smells from shoes, use the same vinegar-lemon juice mixture you use for clothing. A paper bag of freshly ground coffee beans can be placed inside the shoes. Leave them in place for at least one week. The mothballs will be muffled by the coffee smell. Baking soda absorbs the smell.

 

Mothballs Smell Out of Blankets

Place the blanket in a dryer. Choose the “air only” mode. The smell will disappear if you use hot air. The blanket can be pressed with a hot iron, or basked in the sunlight.

 

Mothball odor from a room in your house?

Baking soda is the best method to get rid of mothballs in your home. Use warm water to mix the baking soda and then mop your floors with it.

When mopping, make sure the rooms are properly ventilated. Place a bowl of vinegar or coffee grounds in the room. The mothball smell will be absorbed by this. You can also use scented air fresheners and house cleaners as a temporary solution while you remove the mothball smell. You may need to replace the carpet in extreme cases to get rid of the mothball smell.

 

What is the time it takes to get rid of the mothballs smell?

Mothball odors can be eliminated in your home for at least one month. You should be actively working to eliminate the smell. It takes around a month in a well-ventilated, warm area for the mothball odors to disappear completely. Sometimes, however, the smell can become so strong in your home that it is necessary to contact an odor removal specialist like 911 Restoration of New Orleans.

 

What can I use instead of mothballs?

Mothballs can be used to stop moths from eating clothing stored. You can stop using mothballs. Other options will be available to prevent moths from eating your clothes.

These are the best options:

  • cedar chip to store your clothes
  • In your storage areas, use essential oils like lavender, cloves and mint
  • Your clothing can be stored in vacuum sealed bags
  • Before you use your containers and drawers, make sure they are clean.
  • Cleanse and dry clothes Remove any moth-attracting smells

 

These options are easy to implement and can be done without much effort. If you have limited space in your home, the bags can help to reduce the amount of clothing that takes up space. Mothballs can be dangerous and are useful but should not be left in your home for a long time. It is in your best interest to get rid of mothballs. It will make your home more pleasant! 

You can find other ways to keep moths away from your clothes. 911 Restoration of New Orleans can help you remove the mothball smell.

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