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Effective Ways to Eliminate Mothball Smell
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items I’ve pulled together the most effective ways I’ve found to get rid of mothball odor in clothes and storage areas. The options are simple, inexpensive and easy to use. They work well for freshening seasonal clothes and make it easier to enjoy items th...
Sections
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Easy to Get Natural Remedies
Protect Clothes with These Alternatives
Easy to Get Natural Remedies
Pulling clothes out of storage and getting hit with that musty smell used to be the worst part of changing seasons. Here are a few natural tricks that clear the odor fast and leave everything smelling fresh enough to wear right away.
I’ve used white vinegar more than once to get rid of that stubborn mothball smell. The acetic acid actually breaks down the odor instead of just covering it, and I’ve had the best results by adding a cup to the wash or setting a bowl of it in the clo...
White Vinegar (5% Acidity)
I keep a big box of baking soda around because it’s one of the easiest ways to pull odors out of clothes. Sprinkling it directly on fabric before washing or adding a scoop into the laundry cycle helps balance the pH and neutralize that strong mothbal...
Baking Soda
I like using activated charcoal when clothes come out of storage with that mothball smell. The charcoal absorbs odors instead of just masking them, and I usually tuck a small pouch into drawers or hang one in the closet.
Activated Charcoal Powder
I switched to charcoal sachets after dealing with the mess of loose powder, and they’ve been just as effective at pulling odors out of clothes. They’re easy to toss into drawers or hang in the closet, and I like that I don’t have to worry about spill...
Activated Charcoal Sachets
I’ve found cedar chips to be one of the easiest natural swaps for mothballs. They slip right into drawers or storage bins and keep clothes fresh while discouraging moths at the same time.
Cedar Chips
This set is handy because it includes cedar blocks, hangers, and sachets so every part of the closet is covered. I’ve seen it clear out odors quickly while also keeping moths away over time.
Homode Cedar Pack
Protect Clothes with These Alternatives
I can’t stand how strong mothball smell is, so I started looking for natural swaps. These options have been reliable for seasonal storage and everyday use in drawers and closets, and they keep clothes fresh without the chemical odor.
Lavender is one of my favorite natural options because it keeps clothes smelling fresh while also discouraging moths. I usually use small sachets, and they leave a gentle scent that lingers without being overpowering.
Lavender Sachets
I’ve found peppermint oil to be one of the strongest natural scents for keeping moths away. Just a few drops on cotton balls placed in drawers or closets fills the space with a crisp mint smell.
Peppermint Essential Oil
I like slipping rosemary leaves into small bags for storage because they keep moths away and add a light herbal scent. They’re easy to refresh when the fragrance fades, and I’ve found they make stored clothes smell a lot cleaner.
Rosemary Leaf
Rosemary has been one of my favorite natural swaps for mothballs because it keeps fabrics safe and adds a clean, herbal scent. I usually tuck dried sprigs into little sachets for drawers or storage bins.
Whole Cloves
Thyme works well for long-term storage since its scent lingers and naturally discourages moths. I like tucking a few sprigs into fabric pouches and slipping them between folded clothes.
Thyme Leaf
I’ve used camphor oil when I wanted a stronger natural option, and it works a lot like lemongrass or citronella for keeping bugs out. A few drops on cotton balls or in a diffuser near storage makes a big difference in cutting down moths.
Camphor Essential Oil