How to get moth ball smell out?
by
Elle
+10
Our church had a trunk full of old vintage clothing-all packed with moth balls! I took an item that I really liked, but the smell is terrible! I’ve had it outside (in shaded area) for 6 days now and it still smells. Material is a rayon cotton. How do I get the smell out?
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Try washing them with vinegar
Try covering it with kitty litter for a few hours...it should absorb the smell. Then launder with scented liquid fabric softener.
Try soaking in milk. What you have is a coating of naphtha on your clothes as it vaporizes and settles on your clothes over the years.
Milk is good to get solvents out like formaldehyde.
However, it might need to be taken to a higher temperature because naphtha is solid at room temperature. Take a steamer and steam an area. Put a paper towel on the area and press to see if any oily substance come off. It might not work, but it's worth a try, and a clothes steamer won't hurt your fabric.
I have soaked a formaldehyde - soaked cotton - woven Mexican hoodie in milk overnight.
Hang it out in the sun for a day or two.
THANK YOU!
One cup white vinegar in wash load