Moth ball smell remover?

Question

I have a steamer truck filled with various fabrics (mostly silks and wools) that had been stored for at least 10 years in what seems to be 2 lbs of moth balls. I get dizzy opening this trunk. These are bolts of fabric (not outfits) and I cannot wash them. What can I do to get the smell off without fading them (by putting them on the clothes line) or staining them by using Fabreeze? I don't want to throw this out. This is over 60 yards of fabric!

Answer 1

O wow! Too bad whoever put the moth balls in there didn't know whole cloves do the same job and smell good. If you're having dry, sunny weather, I suggest unwrapping the fabric and hanging it out. If the weather is not good, put rope clotheslines up in the house and set bowls of vinegar around. It will leech out the moth ball smell and the odor of vinegar does not linger.

Answer 2

I once worked at a cleaners and we had many cloths that came in to be cleaned that had mothball smell....I would hang the cloths to air for 2 days then dryclean them and then wash.
After letting them air for the 2 days the mothball smell would be gone....If all possible put it outside on a windy day to air, if the sun will not damage the fabric....I dont think there is any spray to get it out without air them out......Good Luck

Answer 3

Try putting in an odor absorber like renuzit odor eliminator, or possibly a couple of boxes of fabric softener sheets and leave in the steamer box for a few weeks.

Answer 4

it may be risky. i would try SCD Odor Away since it is a natural enzyme that eats organic causes of odor. only problem is that after you mix it in water, it can be a brownish/orange color. you can try mixing it with less solution and more water. that way the color wont stain your fabrics, but the smell should be gone after a couple applications, if not just one.

Answer 5

Febreeze does wonders getting any smell out

Answer 6

try baking soda, just sit in the trunk in the box it works there just like in the refrigerator