How To Use Mothballs: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Use Mothballs PDF download Download Article Explore this Article parts 1 Protecting Clothing with Mothballs 2 Preventing Moths 3 Removing Moths from your Home Other Sections Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles Expert Interview References Article Summary Reviewed by Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann

Last Updated: July 10, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was reviewed by Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. Claudia and Angelo Zimmermann are the founders of Everneat, an Eco-Friendly Cleaning Service based in New York City and in Connecticut. They are also the founders of Clean Code, a DIY 100% natural cleaning product line. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 200,037 times.

Mothballs are a potent way of dealing with clothes moths. Many people forget that mothballs are made of dangerous pesticides and don't take safety precautions when using them. Never use these products out in the open. Instead, place your clothing with the mothballs in a sealed container. Prevent moths by wearing, washing, and drying your clothing regularly. Keep your home and clothing free of lint and animal-based stains such as those from food, perfume, or sweat.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Protecting Clothing with Mothballs

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  1. Step 1 Pack your clothing into a resealable container. 1 Pack your clothing into a resealable container. Mothballs must only be used in enclosed, airtight containers. Choose plastic containers and garment bags you can close up and store in the closet or under the bed. Lay the clothes inside the container.
    • Moths eat animal products such as wool, leather, and felt. They will chew through synthetic fibers to get to animal stains like sweat.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Use Mothballs 2 Place the mothballs inside the container. Read the directions on the box to find out how much of the product you need. To be an effective deterrent against clothes moths, you need to use enough mothballs. Simply lay the mothballs on or around the clothing.[1] Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Use Mothballs 3 Seal the container. Close up the container. Make sure no air can escape. Once this is done, store the container in a safe spot, such as under the bed or in the closet. Over time, the mothballs will dissolve.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Use Mothballs 4 Wash stored clothing with vinegar before wearing it. The clothing will have a strong mothball smell, so clean it first. Soak the items in equal parts water and vinegar or add a cup (240 mL) of vinegar to the wash cycle. Place the water and vinegar combination in a spray bottle for use on clothing that can't be put in a washer and dryer.[2]
    • Dryer sheets placed in a garbage bag with the clothing may also remove the odor.
    • Do not machine dry the clothing until the smell is gone or else it will linger permanently.
  5. Step 5 Clean out the containers with vinegar. 5 Clean out the containers with vinegar. Vinegar is also useful for getting rid of the odor in the containers. Mix an equal amount of water and vinegar inside the container. Let it soak for a couple of minutes, then rinse out the container with warm water. Do this before storing the container or using it again.
    • Vinegar can also help you clean closets or other areas that smell like mothballs.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Preventing Moths

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  1. Step 1 Clean clothing regularly. 1 Clean clothing regularly. A proper cleaning after usage removes stains that the moths seek.[3] Wash all clothing, including your synthetics. Empty the pockets of lint. Remove sweat, perfume, and drink stains through your normal washing routine. Heat dry the clothing in a machine dryer to kill off any eggs or larvae present on the clothing.[4]
    • Don't starch your clothing before storage. It'll be food for the moths.
  2. Step 2 Store clothing in airtight containers. 2 Store clothing in airtight containers. Moths cannot get into plastic boxes or bags that are sealed, no matter how stained the clothing. Storing clean clothing in these containers is a great way to protect clothing without depending on toxic mothballs.[5]
    • You may see some people swear by cedar scents or chests. The scents don't work, and the chests only work because they function as sealed containers.
  3. Step 3 Expose loose clothing to heat once a month. 3 Expose loose clothing to heat once a month. Once or twice a month, take out clothing not sealed in containers. Set them in a dryer and put them through a drying cycle. Otherwise, allow them to be exposed to the sun for a few hours. The heat neutralizes moth eggs.[6]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Use Mothballs 4 Brush out clothing to remove larvae. After exposing the clothing to heat once or twice a month, jostle free any existing insects. Give the clothing a good, hard shake. Alternatively, pass a brush over all sides of the clothing to remove any hidden eggs and larvae.[7]
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Removing Moths from your Home

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Use Mothballs 1 Vacuum your entire home. You can't use mothballs in the open, so you'll have to keep your home clear of moth food sources.[8] Vacuum out your drawers, closets, and furniture. Get all areas you normally don't disturb, including under furniture. Use the vacuum to get all lint and hair.[9]
    • Any mice or rats that have eaten poison and died in hidden areas can cause moths, so do make sure to clean everywhere.
  2. Step 2 Wash your drawers and closets. 2 Wash your drawers and closets. Empty both of them of clothing. Get a surface cleaner or a mild dish or laundry detergent. Soak the rag in the solution and use it to wipe down the entire area. Clean off any clothing separately before reintroducing them to the storage areas.[10]
  3. Step 3 Treat wall cracks with boric acid. 3 Treat wall cracks with boric acid. Boric acid is a powder that can be found at stores that carry pest control products. Follow the directions on the label to apply the product. You should only apply a dusting to every crack or crevice in your home. This will take care of any loose moths that may live there.
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Join the Discussion...

How do I get rid of moths for good? WikiBandicootDancer458 WikiBandicootDancer458 I noticed two moths in my closet last week. I killed them because I don’t want them chewing on my clothes, but now I’m noticing more and more moths in my bedroom and on my clothes. I have no idea if I have an infestation or what. I didn’t even know moths traveled in packs like that. How do I get rid of the moths in my house? Please help me out here. Read More Brandon Runyon Brandon Runyon Entomology and Pest Control Expert Hello, WikiBandicootDancer458. You must go through your clothes and look for the infected items. You can dry clean them or heat them to 120 F. You can freeze them for a few days. To make the closets and storage areas less inviting for them, you should also try to keep the humidity as low as possible. When cleaning in the area or around the home be sure to look out for discarded pet fur, wool rugs, and even natural fiber used in wall decor. Read More Kevin Carrillo Kevin Carrillo Pest Control Specialist, MMPC Hard work and patience are required. Moth caterpillars - the ones that actually do the damage - can lie dormant or be on a delayed metamorphosis for 1-3 years. Many people think the problem is beaten just because they stop seeing adult moths, only for them to pop up again in 6 months.1. Launder EVERYTHING.2. Deep clean EVERY place that clothing was kept.3. Regularly steam clean anything upholstered and carpeting.4. Change out felt carpet padding for synthetic when possible.5. Just because traps aren't catching doesn't mean you should stop using them. Keep one in each room and one in each closet, in dark, out-of-the-way areas. Change them every 3-6 months (by label) until they're clear for 3 years.6. Keep as much of your freshly cleaned and not-worn-everyday clothing in storage bins and garment bags as you can.7. Think outside the box. Caterpillars feed on a protein called keratin, found in our hair and fingernails (same for animals). Anything you have that contains this protein is a suspect: food source, silk, wool, felt, your pool table, an antique horse-hair stuffed couch, etc. Read More See all 9 Replies and Read Discussion

Expert Q&A

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Tips

  • Moths prefer undisturbed areas. Clothing worn two or three times a week is unlikely to be attacked. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
  • Even if your clothing is synthetic, moths may still chew through them to get to animal-based stains. Clean all clothing before storage. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
  • Never breathe in the mothball odor. If you can smell them, you are using them incorrectly and putting your health at risk. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Never use mothballs outdoors or to fend off pests such as snakes or squirrels. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 5
  • Mothballs are pesticides. They release fumes that harm people, animals, and the environment. It may be illegal in your area to use them in the open. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
  • Mothballs may also be mistaken as food or a toy by curious children or animals. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • Mothballs cause adverse health symptoms, including headache, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2
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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about pest control, check out our in-depth interview with Elmer Bensinger.

References

  1. ↑ https://ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Center-EH/envepi/Pest/Documents/Mothball_Fact_Sheet.pdf
  2. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-mothball-smell/
  3. ↑ Elmer Bensinger. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/pest-control/how-to-get-rid-of-clothes-moths-a3403805062/
  5. ↑ https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7435.html
  6. ↑ https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7435.html
  7. ↑ https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7435.html
  8. ↑ Elmer Bensinger. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/pest-control/get-rid-of-pantry-moths/
More References (1)
  1. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/pest-control/how-to-get-rid-of-clothes-moths-a3403805062/

About This Article

Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann Reviewed by: Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann House Cleaning Professionals This article was reviewed by Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. Claudia and Angelo Zimmermann are the founders of Everneat, an Eco-Friendly Cleaning Service based in New York City and in Connecticut. They are also the founders of Clean Code, a DIY 100% natural cleaning product line. This article has been viewed 200,037 times. 3 votes - 100% Co-authors: 8 Updated: July 10, 2025 Views: 200,037 Categories: Indoor Air Improvement Article SummaryX

To use mothballs, start by packing the clothes that you want to protect into an airtight container. Then, lay mothballs around the clothes in the container, using the right number of mothballs according to the instructions on the package. Next, seal the container and store it in a closet or under your bed. Once the mothballs have dissolved, machine wash the clothing inside the container with white vinegar to get rid of the mothball smell. To learn how to remove and prevent moths in your home, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann Reviewed by: Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann House Cleaning Professionals Co-authors: 8 Updated: July 10, 2025 Views: 200,037 100% of readers found this article helpful. 3 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote

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