How long mothballs last

Mothballs resemble candy or gumballs, and are made almost exclusively with one of two active ingredients: naphthalene or paradichlorobenzine. The balls dissolve over time into a gaseous form. When exposed to the elements, a mothball will generally last for between four and six weeks. However, the fumes can last much longer, allowing mothballs to effectively last for several years if in a properly sealed container.

The good news is that getting rid of that stench is fairly simple and involves products you likely already have in your home. Vinegar is your best friend when it comes to washable clothes. You can either soak the clothes in an equal mix of water and vinegar overnight, or run a cycle in the washer using vinegar instead of detergent, followed by a cycle using detergent.

For delicates, you can also use a spray bottle instead of soaking. An alternative to vinegar is unchlorinated bleach, although this is best reserved for whites or more durable materials such as jeans. Depending on the material your furniture is made of, you may need to get an odor eliminator to safely get rid of the mothball smell. For most couches and other fabric-covered furnishings including carpets , however, you can use a wet-vac in the same manner as the washer.

Not only does this method get rid of the odor, it will make the furnishings nice and clean; killing bed bugs, fleas, and other small pests. Getting the mothball smell out of a room or closet is a little more difficult than clothing, although the solutions themselves are simple. A bowl of vinegar or activated charcoal available at most pet stores will slowly absorb the odor safely. You might also choose to use odor-absorbing candles or even coffee grounds.

Just remember that you may need to change the item you choose frequently to have a maximum effect. There are a number of mothball odor eliminators on the market, each with their own qualities. Most of these eliminators do a good job of eliminating the mothball smell, although they are a more expensive solution than the ones above. What will work to get the smell of moth balls out of drawings my dad did over 60 years ago. The are drawings free hand for plumbing class.

They have been in the garage airing out even putting them in the sun to see if that helps. Any thing you can do too to help I would appreciate. But another idea is what about taking a photo of the drawings and printing those instead? Good luck. Unlike other pests, snakes can 't smell very well. If you're having to go under the house or up in the attic, put a container with several mothballs in the correct location a day ahead of time. Mothballs should not be used inside attics, crawl spaces, gardens, trash cans or vehicles.

About a dime-sized amount of toothpaste should sufficiently strip away unwanted smells from mothballs. Try baking soda. Baking soda is excellent at absorbing and removing unwanted odors.

To remove mothball smell with baking soda , mix baking soda and water together in a bowl until you have a fine paste. Naphthalene in water is destroyed by bacteria or evaporates into the air. Most naphthalene will be gone from water in rivers or lakes within 2 weeks.

Better Ways to Use Mothballs Rinse woolens for storage. Of course it is a good idea to store woolens with mothballs to ward off moths. Kill bugs on potted plants. Repel mice from garage or shed. Keep dogs and cats away from garden. Keep bats at bay. How long will mothballs last outside? Category: home and garden indoor environmental quality. Do mothballs dissolve in rain? Can I put mothballs in my yard?

What to use instead of mothballs? Cedar Chips. Do mothballs repel mosquitoes? Why does it smell like mothballs outside? Lingering Odors. What smell does snakes hate?

What happens when mothballs get wet? Do moth balls work? Why do mothballs disappear over time? Do mothballs dissolve over time? Here are the most common mothball-related questions:. It usually takes a couple of months for the physical mothball to completely dissipate when not exposed to air. The smell, however, may remain in your home for months or years after the last used mothball. Fortunately, the scent of mothballs is not a permanent scent. If you want to get rid of the mothball smell, you will need to clean the affected space and fabrics.

When you take action, you could completely clear the air within a few hours or days. Although mothballs have been determined as safe for general use, the fumes can cause health problems.

Even handling mothballs can cause your hands and eyes to itch and burn. Inhaling the fumes will exacerbate this sensation and may lead to headaches, breathing difficulties, nausea, and dizziness.

No one loves the smell of mothballs. To get rid of the smell, you should first get rid of the old mothballs. You can then use white vinegar and baking soda on furniture, carpets, and curtains to remove the smell of mothballs. Mothballs are manufactured from chemicals that are toxic to humans and animals.

The moment you smell mothballs, you are being exposed to these dangerous chemicals. Sometimes, children and pets can mistake mothballs for food and will digest them.

This can cause severe effects that should be taken care of immediately. Some of the chemicals used in mothballs, such as naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene, may cause reversible side effects when inhaled, including nausea, headaches, coughing, eye and nose irritation.

Extended exposure may result in kidney and liver damage. Naphthalene may also cause hemolytic anemia and is a possible carcinogen.

The mothball smell tends to linger. A dry cleaner should be able to get rid of the smell of mothballs. Eliminating a mothball smell can be infuriating and tricky. Mothballs are definitely useful when you are at your wits end with clothes moths. But mothballs smell horrible and are also dangerous when left around your home for long periods. It is best for you to remove the mothballs and their insidious odor. Fortunately, while the smell tends to linger, it is easy to remove with things like vinegar, baking soda, cedar, and a washing machine.

We have developed professional grade solutions including proprietary pheromones, not available from anybody else in the USA, and engineered in Germany to the highest production standards. What Are Mothballs? Not to worry, here are some methods for getting rid of the pesticide scent around your home: Ventilation. One of the best ways to oust the mothball odor is to air out your space. Open the windows and doors. Turn on ceiling fans. Let the air circulate around the room or house for a few hours.

Wipe down surfaces. After you have removed the mothballs, spray the floor, counters, and other surfaces with a mix of vinegar and water.