Getting Rid of The Mothball Smell?

[Brandles]

I recently bought a brand new sweat shirt from our church's bazaar. It was in plastic and I didn't notice that it must've been stored with mothballs because that's what it smells like.

I have tried numerous washings. I even hung it outside on the line in rain and snow for about a week. That took the smell out of it, but as soon as I washed it again, the smell was back.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the mothball smell out for good? Thanks! :)

[NotDesperate]

Wow! That is some lasting smell! I don't have any advice, but I like moth ball smell. Reminds me of my gramma. But I guess I wouldn't walk to walk around smelling like a gramma, lol

[SaraSchlick]

I don't have a sure-fire idea for you, but I have heard that putting a bit of vinegar in the wash gets rid of other smells. Maybe give that a shot?

[kari]

No advice, but omigosh I loathe that smell. I wouldn't be able to wear it or even have it in my house!

[ruby]

No advice here but would like to see what others come up with. We bought an old dining room furniture set and the old woman who sold it to us kept her linens stored in the buffet and obviously used mothballs in there. I've been keeping those fragrance packets that you buy at Linens N THings in there, and they keep the smell at bay, but it doesn't quite get rid of the smell. It's like it's embedded in the woodwork...gross!

[Smillow]

I bought a blanket at a thrift store and the mothball smell only emerged after I washed it! I immediately rewashed it using an odor ban product. Now it doesn't smell like mothball but like the odor removing stuff! I haven't had time to rewash it again, but when I do I will make sure it is a sunny day so that I can hang it out all day.

[Brandles]

Thanks! I'm going to have to try letting it soak in vinegar. Truly, I have never used mothballs for anything because they stink. My mom used to put them on the outside window ledges to keep outside cats away from the window screens and trying to fight our cat thru them!

[Brandles]

Just an update. I let it soak in the sink and 2 cups of white vinegar for over 3 hours yesterday. Then, I rinsed it in the washer. It smelled like mothballs and vinegar. :rolleyes: This morning, I hung it outside in the snow and it's still out there, frozen stiff on the clothes line. It'll stay there until I re-wash it on Saturday.