We smell like old people? (ok just moth balls)?

Question

My roomates and I recently moved into an apt, we are all 22 and we really smell 72. The apartment smells like mothballs and the smell is getting stronger even though there are no mothballs in our apt. HOW DO WE GET RID OF THE SMELL? I'm mostly looking for an old home remedy as my allergies are sensitive and Glade products cause a severe reaction.

thanks

Answer 1

You really need to find the source of the smell, if you really think it is getting stronger it must still be there. I trust you have tried opening windows to air it out and sunshine (it is a natural disinfectant) so here are my best solutions (make sure everything is in a dish or container or something to protect what ever you put it on); 1) put small dishes or containers of vinegar around also try boiling 1T vinegar in 1C of water. 2) saturate cotton balls with vanilla extract (real not artificial) put around the house 3) try the same with orange oil, pepermint oil or any essential oil you like but the first two work best. 4) try boiling citrus peel in water, cloves are a nice addition. 5) Indoor plants are natural air purifiers (but they work slow) 6) If you have carpet or rugs sprinkle baking soda and let sit an hour before vacuuming. That's my best shot. Could it be in the vacuum? How about the curtain rods? Find the cause and you'll have taken care of the worst. Good luck.

Answer 2

Its possible there is a box of mothballs hiding out somewhere. Last year I moved into a quadplex that was really old (a good friend of mine in her 60's actually grew up in the same unit!) reeked of mothballs when we first moved in! We found mothballs in the corners and removed them but still smelled them! It ended up that there was a box of moth balls under the kitchen sink that at one time had also gotten very wet and the smell almost knocked you out! If you have some allergic reactions, the day you decide to hunt for them, I would put on a surgical mask and some rubber gloves. If you find them just throw them out and place small bowls of baking soda around your house. If you can't find it, call your landlord and tell them.

Answer 3

first of all, open all the windows, check you filter on your air consitioner furnace,( they trap smells) if it's dirty, change it, just take the old fiilter off and take it to your local hardware store or walmart, do not leave it off very long, it will burn up your air compressor, a couple of hours tops... mix a few tablespoons of baking soda (Arm & Hammer) in a spray bottle with warm water, shake well, and spray through the apartment, the main thing is that the apartment needs to air out. When you raise the windows, turn the ceiling fans on. Put Fabric Softener Sheets in the drawers where you keep your clothes, and the smell won't get in your clothes so bad.

Answer 4

Might be mold. If it is getting stronger talk to the manager. Some types of mold, especially what is called black mold is very dangerous. Are you in a place that may have flooded or had a roof leak? Ask the neighbors if you think the landlord is not being honest with you. If it is mold and the dangerous kind a professional must do it. Beach kills mold, but some kinds have to be done by a professional. You might not be able to see it because it is in the walls or ceiling.

Answer 5

I'm quite concerned as to what is causing this chemical smell in case it's something dangerous to your health. Maybe you should get someone from the council (or US equivalent - city hall?) to have a look, especially since it's getting worse. Is there a factory nearby? Or a dry cleaners? Please investigate the source of this smell .