Moth balls
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How would I get rid of the smell of too many moth balls? I used them in the camper over winter and now it is really strong smelling. Any ideas?
11 answers
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get the dollar store boxes of baking soda with the tear away side panels and spread them around where you had the moth balls, close it up for a few days and then pitch them. They should soak up the smell
Moxie
on May 22, 2015
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It goes without saying to first remove all moth balls. My Mom uses them in her outdoor pantry to keep away snakes. My mistake for telling her about them because I found out they do not keep snakes away and they are toxic. The balls give out a gas that settles in to everything. The plastic containers she uses to store food, cardboard and even plastic bags she stores in there all have absorbed the gas the moth balls give off. It is amazing how just taking the balls out will begin to help. Leave all the windows open as often as possible. Might be a pain to open and close them daily but will be worth it to let the area "gas out". Also, try some open containers of vinegar it will absorb orders. I would also try some open containers of activated charcoal. Here is an article that explains how it works. http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/question209.htm ; I think I have convinced my Mom that moth balls do not keep snakes away, studies have proved that the snakes are not concerned about them at all and usually just crawl over them! She lives a couple of states away and I removed them last time I was there so hoping that the area has aired and if not will try these things myself. In addition to getting her all new plastic food containers and other plastic items and new boxes for shipping. Food put in them actually absorbs the smell and we have had to throw out some of her rarely made tea cakes she sent us. Molasses and moth ball taste is horrible together!
Vickie
on May 23, 2015
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Oh and forgot to say that you can find activated charcoal wherever you buy supplies for an aquarium. It is the charcoal that is used in the aquarium filters.
Vickie
on May 23, 2015
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Remove all the moth balls. Then open up the camper and the smell should clear up in just a few hours. You can buy air fresh's to help! It worked in the day!
Sandra Bilsky
on May 23, 2015
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I purchased a camper that had a strong mothball smell...removed the mothballs and replaced with Bounce ...a whole box and placed them all over the trailer over the winter. This spring the moth ball smell was gone and the place smelled like Bounce...much more pleasant!
Karen
on May 23, 2015
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Remove mothballs, open windows to air out the camper and spray any cloth, cushions, etc. with Febreze.
Carol Potts
on May 23, 2015
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for the clothes-run them thru' the washing machine-for the shelves-soapy water & elbow grease-wipe dry with clean rags
Louis Lieberman
on May 23, 2015
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You might try what I used on a used car I purchased that had been previously owned by a very heavy smoker. I filled large disposable turkey roasting pans with charcoal briquettes (like those used for grilling) and placed a pan on the floor on each side of the front and on the floor of each side of the back. And, since it was a station wagon, I put two pans in the back cargo area. I also crumpled up as much newspaper as I could get my hands on and put that in the seating area and filled the empty space of the cargo hold. Closed up the windows and left it for a few days. After those few days, I removed the newspaper and replaced it with more. Within a week you couldn't tell the car was ever smoked in. I also used a similar method in the last car my husband and I bought. For some reason the trunk smelled terrible. So...some charcoal and newspapers later, it's odorless and has stayed that way for over 2 years.
Swan Road Designs
on May 23, 2015
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Air it out, use a fan to keep air circulating, when the weather is warmer than room temp. Napthalene will turn into a gas and evaporate.
Duv310660
on May 23, 2015
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thank you all for the great suggestions for my moth ball problem, I will try all of them and will not ever use mothballs again! I did know about the bounce sheets but all your suggestions are very good. will probably need to use a lot of elbow grease to wash all the smell away too. hope vinegar and water will help too. Happy camping to all.
Audrey Nicholas
on May 25, 2015
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ok thanks for advice!
Audrey Nicholas
on May 25, 2015
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