How to Get Rid of Mothball Smell | Odor Removal That Works

To get rid of mothball smell, remove every mothball, then air out the space aggressively and wash all affected fabrics.

For the full breakdown, see our best Air Purifier For Mothball Smell guide.

That sharp, sweet-chemical odor means the pesticide inside the mothballs is still releasing vapor. The smell will fade once the source is gone and the space gets real airflow, but porous materials like wood, drywall, and upholstery can hold it for weeks. The steps below tackle the problem in the right order so you don’t waste effort cleaning surfaces that still have mothballs sitting nearby.

Step 1: Remove Every Mothball and Air Out the Space

The fastest way to get rid of mothball smell is to eliminate the source first, then ventilate. Find every mothball, including ones tucked behind furniture, under beds, in closet corners, or inside storage bins. Dispose of them outdoors in a sealed trash bag.

Once the source is gone, open every window and door in the affected area and run fans to push fresh air through. Leave windows open for several hours or even a full day if the smell is strong.

Step 2: Wash or Dry-Clean Anything Fabric

Clothing, blankets, curtains, and bedding absorb mothball vapor quickly and will keep releasing it until they’re cleaned. Machine-wash all machine-safe fabrics with your normal detergent, using the hottest water the fabric allows.

For dry-clean-only items, take them to a professional cleaner and mention the mothball odor so they use the right treatment. Leather, wool coats, and heavy drapes often need professional cleaning to fully release the smell.

Step 3: Wipe Hard Surfaces and Neutralize Porous Materials

Hard surfaces like shelves, drawers, floors, and walls collect a residue that keeps the odor alive. Wipe them down with a solution of white vinegar and water or a mild detergent, then dry them thoroughly. Baking soda or activated charcoal placed in open containers absorbs residual odor over several days — swap them out once they’ve absorbed as much as they can.

Porous materials are harder. Wood, drywall, insulation, and ductwork can hold mothball chemicals for a long time. If the smell persists in these materials after cleaning, professional remediation may be required, or the material may need replacement.

What Not to Do

Never place mothballs in open rooms, closets, attics, crawl spaces, wall cavities, trash cans, or vehicles. This is hazardous — — and it creates an odor problem that’s far harder to remove later. Mothballs are meant for sealed containers only, where the vapor stays contained.

If the odor has penetrated deeply into a house’s structure, ductwork, or insulation, don’t keep layering deodorizers on top. That masks the problem without solving it. Get a professional assessment; in severe cases, removing and replacing the affected porous material is the only complete fix.

Keep them away from children and pets entirely, and treat the smell as a sign the chemical is still active. Once the source is gone and cleaning is done, give the space a few days of open windows and fans. The smell should diminish noticeably, and fresh air is the cheapest and most effective deodorizer you have.