Moth ball odor removal-please help!

Trender2
by Trender2
My fiancee's mother moved all the items from her 2 bedroom home into our basement. The home is the one she shared with her late husband who passed away suddenly years ago - she simply will not get rid of anything as it was such a traumatic experience for her - counseling is not an option because she speaks mostly Korean she does not live here just stores all of her things here....I have had an horrible headache for 2 weeks (since a few days after the items were moved here) and I am quite sure it's from the over powering smell of mothballs coming from her items. I have read a bit on how to remove the smell but it's mostly about how to get rid of it from a few pieces of clothes or a single piece of furniture - any ideas on how I can remove it from an entire room full of "stuff" for lack of a better word. I am looking for a set it down and leave kind of option since when I am down there my headache gets worse and I get nauseous. And tips suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!
  4 answers
  • Diane Taylor Diane Taylor on Aug 05, 2015
    First get a fan in there. See if you can find out what type of mothballs she used. The old fashioned, but still sold, are made from naphthalene and can be very toxic. The newer ones are still toxic but there are antidotes for them. If there is an exit window just set the fan up to exhaust air from the room. Not sure if an ozone machine would help with toxicity, but they are great for odors. Pro cleaners used one in our house after a fire. It totally removed the odor.
    • Trender2 Trender2 on Aug 05, 2015
      Yes they are the ones made with naphthalene - Basement is completely underground with one dugout window not even sure if it opens -I currently have 5 tower air purifiers running down there 3 have charcoal filters - And I'm looking into an ozone machine right now! Thank you
  • Darla Darla on Aug 05, 2015
    If you can seal it up with plastic sheets that might help keep the fumes out of the air.
  • 1620810 1620810 on Aug 05, 2015
    If you get white vinegar and pour into several bowls and place all around the vinegar will absorb the odor. It sure worked at my house when a couple of skunks decided to mate under my house. It was so bad it woke me up in the middle of the night. It took a few days but it eliminated all the odor, it was in all my clothes, purse etc. The vinegar did it!
  • Ginger the farm gal Ginger the farm gal on Aug 05, 2015
    Vinegar is a good idea also baking soda works well....I'd rent a shed or storage building and get it out...it's your home and she probably never use them again anyway.