Why does my house smell like mothballs?
Lingering Odors. Mothballs are made of naphthalene, a chemical that evaporates quickly and leaves a strong odor behind. If used for long periods or in poorly-ventilated spaces, the odor of dissipated naphthalene can remain long after the mothballs have been removed. In this case, you may need to air out the house for several days...
Why does mothball breath smell so bad?
By not practicing good oral hygiene, those bacteria are able to duplicate rapidly and therefore produce high quantities of the volatile Sulphur compounds that cause the bad smell. Sinus issues are one of the most common causes of bad breath, including mothball breath.
Why does tobacco smoke smell like mothballs?
Tobacco smoke can also contain naphthalene and leave behind an odor similar to mothballs, depending on the type of tobacco product that was smoked. Areas with high pollution tend to have a high concentration of naphthalene in the air.
Do mothballs smell like skatole?
And the scent of skatole is very similar to that of mothballs. Some people that have a condition of excess mouth mucus, a sinus infection, or general bad breath may be mistaking the smell of their own breath for mothballs. Quick Tip: Don’t mistake mothballs for mold or mildew.
What does it mean if you smell mothballs?
If you smell mothballs, you are being exposed to these chemicals. Children or pets sometimes mistake mothballs for food or candy and eat them, which can cause serious effects. Some of the chemicals in mothballs can cause reversible health effects that include headaches, nausea, eye and nose irritation and coughing.
What else could smell like mothballs?
Naphthalene is either a white solid or a liquid with a strong odor like mothballs. It's used to make dyes, explosives, plastics, lubricants, and is found naturally in crude oil. It is also found in coal tar wastes at former manufactured gas plants. Coal tars were byproducts at these plants.
Can mold smell like moth balls?
Smelling a Musty Odor If you smell an odor of stale, old moth balls or mildew, chances are that you have mold living somewhere in your building.
What pesticide smells like mothballs?
Naphthalene is registered for indoor and outdoor residential use. Used indoors, it kills moths and their eggs. Outdoors, it is used around gardens and buildings to repel pests like snakes. Common naphthalene containing products for use around the home are mothballs and snake repellents.
Why does my furnace smell like mothballs?
If you've been sensing a musty, mothball-y smell coming from your vents that you haven't really been able to place, there's a big chance that what you're smelling is mold or fungus growth in or around your HVAC unit.
Does formaldehyde smell like mothballs?
Formaldehyde is a colorless chemical, that packs a strong pickle-like odor, that is commonly used in the manufacturing process for many household items like furniture, flooring, glues, and pressed-wood.
What would make your house smell like mothballs?
Naphthalene also is present in tobacco smoke, and even in the air in highly polluted cities. Companies that produce products such as ink, dye, coal and tar, preserve wood, or tan leathers also use naphthalene. If you live near one of these sources of naphthalene, your house may take on a strong mothball type smell.
What does black mold smell like in a house?
It's often described as musty and earthy, and may even smell like rotting vegetables or plants. You might notice a musty smell, but not be able to see any mold growing.
How do you get rid of mothball smell in house?
How to Get Rid of Mothball Smell from the HouseUse charcoal. ... Leave out bowls of vinegar or coffee grounds. ... Set out a box of baking soda. ... Get some ventilation in the room. ... Use cedar chips or cedar balls. ... Spread zeolite – or household cat litter – on wood and furniture. ... Mop the floors in the room. ... Use air fresheners.More items...•
Can moth balls make you sick?
An active ingredient in some mothballs is naphthalene. If swallowed, naphthalene can damage red blood cells, causing kidney damage and many other problems. It can affect how blood carries oxygen to the heart, brain, and other organs. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, seizures and coma.
Is naphthalene harmful to humans?
Inhalation of naphthalene may cause skin and eye irritation; gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea; neurologic symptoms, such as confusion, excitement, and convulsions; renal problems, such as acute renal shutdown; and hematologic features, such as icterus and severe anemia ...
Why are moth balls illegal?
Not many people know that mothballs are pesticides and are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just like any other pesticide. Using mothballs in a way not specified by the product's label is not only illegal, but can harm others and the environment.
Do snakes smell like mothballs?
Do mothballs repel snakes? Moth balls are common old-time home remedy to keep snakes away, but this old wives' tale doesn't stand the test of science. Mothballs don't repel snakes. Snakes “smell” with their tongues, so methods like mothballs that rely on odors are unlikely to deter them.
What does formaldehyde smell like?
Formaldehyde is a colorless chemical with a strong pickle-like odor that is commonly used in many manufacturing processes. It easily becomes a gas at room temperature, which makes it part of a larger group of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
How do you get rid of mothball smell in house?
How to Get Rid of Mothball Smell from the HouseUse charcoal. ... Leave out bowls of vinegar or coffee grounds. ... Set out a box of baking soda. ... Get some ventilation in the room. ... Use cedar chips or cedar balls. ... Spread zeolite – or household cat litter – on wood and furniture. ... Mop the floors in the room. ... Use air fresheners.More items...•
What is camphor smell like?
Camphor has a very distinctive scent that is hard to confuse with anything else, yet it is practically indescribable unless you take the neologisms route. It is prickly, partly woody, herbal and spicy, cooling, somewhat earthy and partly similar to naphthalene (aka moth balls).
Why do mothballs smell?
Because of the unlimited food supply for these bacteria, the same thing that happens with poor oral hygiene can happen: the bacteria produce volatile sulfur compounds that cause the mothball smell.
Why does my breath smell like a mothball?
Mothball breath is named that because your breath will have a musty, benzene-like smell to it that is often related to mothballs. You might not notice the mothball smell right away or it may arise slowly over a period of weeks or months. In some cases, though, it is possible that the mothball breath is noticed right away.
How to get rid of mothball breath?
This will help you thoroughly clean your mouth and sterilize it to get rid of as much bad smelling bacteria as possible.
What does keto smell like?
Ketones often smell rich and fruity (similar to nail polish). However, some might find that the ketones that are released during this diet often smells like mothballs.
Why does my breath get bad?
Sinus issues are one of the most common causes of bad breath, including mothball breath.
Why does my body smell like ketones?
During this diet, because it’s based on you eating a lower amount of carbs, your body starts to burn stored fat instead of carbohydrates. This causes your body to release a chemical called “ketones” which is what causes the “keto-breath.”. Ketones often smell rich and fruity (similar to nail polish). However, some might find that the ketones that ...
What does sulfur smell like?
As these bacteria digest the food that they’re thriving on, they can often produce volatile sulfur compounds that smell like mothballs.
What to do if your breath smells like mothballs?
If your breath smells like mothballs, your doctor can help. Treating and managing the underlying cause will help to eliminate or reduce the occurrence of mothball breath. Based on your condition, you may need over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications, such as: decongestants. antihistamines. antibiotics.
How to get rid of mothball breath?
Tackling the underlying cause, however, won’t be enough to eliminate mothball breath completely. You’ll also need to maintain good oral hygiene habits every day. These include: 1 brushing your teeth when you wake up, after meals, and before bed 2 using a mouth rinse specifically designed for dry mouth 3 flossing teeth 4 using a tongue scraper 5 drinking lots of water 6 avoiding foods that bacteria like to feed on, such as sweets and starchy carbohydrates
Why does my mouth get dry?
Conditions that generate excess mucus in the nasal cavities may cause you to breathe through your mouth, making it dryer than normal. For that reason, having dry mouth can intensify mothball breath. Many conditions and medications also cause dry mouth.
What enzyme is responsible for mothball breath?
A 2018 study found that the enzyme known as tryptophan can lodge and grow between teeth and under gums, and it’s specifically tied to mothball breath.
What causes bad breath?
lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia. All types of bad breath are generated by bacteria. Bacteria can coat the teeth, tongue, gums, mouth, and throat, feeding off of food particles, enzymes, and other substances.
Is mothball breath a medical condition?
of the general population. Even though it occurs in almost everyone on occasion, having bad breath can make you feel self-conscious. If you have mothball breath, there’s most likely a medical cause behind it.
What to do if your breath smells like mothballs?
If your breath smells like mothballs, your doctor can help. Treating and managing the underlying cause will help to eliminate or reduce the occurrence of mothball breath. Based on your condition, you may need over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications, such as: decongestants. antihistamines.
Is bad breath a problem?
Bad breath (halitosis)is a common problem that affects around 50 percentTrusted Source of the general population. Even though it occurs in almost everyone on occasion, having bad breath can make you feel self-conscious.
Can mothball breath be caused by dry mouth?
For that reason, having dry mouth can intensify mothball breath. Many conditions and medications also cause dry mouth. Talk to your doctor about the medications you’re taking and their side effects.
Why do mothballs smell?
Mothball breath can be triggered in the mouth by bacteria. On food particles and sloughed mouth cells, these sulfur-producing bacteria flourish. When these food products are digested, they create volatile sulfur compounds (vscs) that can smell like mothballs.
Why does my mouth smell like mothballs?
Though acid reflux (GERD) most often makes its presence felt in the mouth in the form of a sour or bitter taste (thanks to the incorrect positioning of stomach acids), there is some evidence that GERD may also be a causal factor in mothball breath.
How long does it take for mothball breath to come?
Interestingly, mothball breath can occur slowly over a period of weeks or months, or within a period of days, it may occur unexpectedly. The scent of mothballs can be very intense in more serious situations, requiring immediate care to prevent needless embarrassment.
Why does my breath smell like rotten eggs?
A breath that smells like rotten eggs often suggests a problem originating from the digestive tract. Since sulfur is broken down by the gut microbiota, an eggy-smelling gas is released. This may be caused by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. When the stomach acids crawl back up the esophagus, GERD occurs.
Why does my urine smell like acetone?
fruity odor. This happens because diabetic patients often suffer from insufficient insulin output, which induces fat burning and results in ketone production. A fruity odor similar to acetone is then produced by ketones. Chronic kidney disease, which is another symptom of diabetes, may also cause this smell.
What foods can cause breathing problems?
Elements such as onions and garlic, or spicy foods such as curry, may all have a big breathing effect.
Can you mask mothball breath?
However, remember that it can only be considered a short-term remedy to mask your mothball breath; we will encourage you to pursue the proper medical advice to help deal with the root cause of the problem.
What does it mean when you smell mothballs?
The musty, sour smell of mothballs is often mistaken for mold or mildew. Make sure to rule out the presence of mold in your home first. If the scent is strongest in your kitchen, bathroom, or basement, you may have to worry about getting rid of mold rather than mothballs.
Why do moth balls emit noxious gases?
Because mothballs were invented using chemical pesticides to repel insects, these little white balls emit a noxious gas when exposed to air. Once the gas is released, the sour, pungent fumes get absorbed by the materials around it such as clothing, bedding, carpeting, and even wall insulation.
How to get rid of mothballs on floors?
The best way to remove the mothball smell is to deep clean your floors with baking soda. For rooms or closets, fill up a bowl with vinegar or coffee grounds and leave it there for a few hours. Finally, air fresheners can offer temporary relief to the smell.
What are mothballs made of?
Mothballs are traditionally made of chemical pesticide. The primary ingredient is the chemical naphthalene. When naphthalene is exposed to air, it becomes a gas that irritates the eyes and lungs, and can cause dizziness, nausea, and headaches. Naphthalene, just like other pesticides, are evidenced to cause cancer and respiratory problems.
How long does it take for a mothball to dissipate?
If the mothball is placed under a covering or inside a closed space, it can take up to 12 months to dissipate. And even after a mothball fully dissolves, its smell can be easily absorbed into nearby material and remain there for months or even years! That’s why the scent is so challenging to get rid of.
How to get rid of a bad smell in your house?
The first thing you should do is ventilate your entire home so the odor particles can dissipate faster. Open all the windows and doors, strategically place box fans to push the air outside, and turn on your house fan if you have an HVAC system. You can also place an air purifier in the rooms that smell the worst.
What to put in clothing to keep moths away?
Try placing some of these affordable and natural options in your storage spaces: cedar chips, a bowl of activated charcoal, satchels of lavender, or dried mint. You can also place your clothing in air-tight storage containers.
What causes mothballs to smell?
What Causes a Mothball Smell In Your House? The simple answer is mothballs. Specifically the chemical that causes the mothball smell is naphthalene. Naphthalene also is present in tobacco smoke, and even in the air in highly polluted cities.
How to get rid of mothball smell in house?
The best way to remove the mothball smell in your home is by using baking soda. Mix some baking soda with warm water and mop the floors with the solution.
How Long Will It Take To Get Rid of The Smell of Mothballs?
Plan on spending at least a month eliminating mothball odors in your home. If you’re actively working to remove the smell, that is about how much time it takes in a warm, well-ventilated area for the mothball odor to completely go away.
What Can I Use Instead of Mothballs?
As we mentioned previously, mothballs are used to prevent moths and other pests eating stored clothing. If you stop using mothballs, you’ll need to find other options for preventing the moths and other insects from eating your clothing.
How long does it take for a mothball to dissipate?
If you place the mothball underneath clothing or otherwise not in open air, it will take up to 12 months to completely dissipate. The mothball smell stays in your home for months or years after dissipating. Often, the smell of mothballs never truly ever go away.
What is the smell of naphthalene?
If you live near one of these sources of naphthalene, your house may take on a strong mothball type smell.
How to get rid of a smelly blanket?
Toss the blanket in a dryer and choose the ‘air only’ mode. Hot air will help the smell go away. You can also press the blanket with a hot iron or bask it in sunlight.
How to get rid of mothball smell in house?
Ventilation. One of the best ways to oust the mothball odor is to air out your space. Open the windows and doors. Turn on ceiling fans. Let the air circulate around the room or house for a few hours.
Why are mothballs toxic?
The reason mothballs are toxic is because of the chemicals they are made from. Mothballs are commonly made from naphthalene, but due to naphthalene being a highly flammable substance, more companies are switching over to paradichlorobenzene.
What Are Mothballs?
Mothballs are basically a chunk or small ball of pesticides that repel both clothes moths and humans alike—and for good reason. Once you lay mothballs out to deal with moth larvae, the chemicals will transition into a gas and mix into the air. The smell is enough to drive moths and other insects, as well as small pests like mice and rats, away from the space. Mothballs can also be used to soak up moisture and prevent mold growth.
How to get mothball smell out of clothes?
How to Get the Mothball Smell Out of Clothes 1 Roast away the smell. Okay, maybe not roasting, but iron could do the trick. Ironing your clothing will usually disperse any odors, not just mothball ones. If your garments aren’t meant to be ironed, place them in warm sunshine. You may have to hang the garment for several days in the sun for the smell to fade. 2 Try the “air fluff” setting. For fabrics that aren’t prone to shrinking in heat, you can pop them into the dryer and set it on a low heat setting. The result is just like ironing the clothes. 3 Wash with Vinegar. Load your smelly clothing into the washing machine and pour in some vinegar. Skip the detergent and the fabric softener for now. Run the machine, letting the clothing and shoes soak in the vinegar-water solution. Afterwards, wash the clothes with your regular detergent and fabric softener. Either air out the clothing or toss them in the dryer to finish up. The mothball smell should be gone. 4 Cedar or charcoal in the closet or drawers. You can purchase sachets or small planks to hang in your closet. Both cedar and charcoal will absorb stubborn odors. Not only that, but cedar also works as a moth repellent.
What is the best way to get rid of mothballs?
A box of baking soda. Tried and true, baking soda is one of the best odor eliminators for your household. Place it anywhere the mothball scent is the strongest and let the baking soda work its magic.
How long does it take for a mothball to dissipate?
Mothball odor is a terrible smell to have clinging to your clothing. And we have some shocking news for you: a single mothball takes about 3-6 months to dissipate completely. If you put the mothball under fabric or someplace where there is no air circulation, it takes about 12 months to dissipate!
What are the side effects of mothballs?
Some of the chemicals used in mothballs, such as naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene, may cause reversible side effects when inhaled, including nausea, headaches, coughing, eye and nose irritation. Extended exposure may result in kidney and liver damage. Naphthalene may also cause hemolytic anemia and is a possible carcinogen.
