I got a swell deal on some sweaters today, but alas! they stink of mothballs, even after I have washed them! Anyone know a sure fire way to rid clothing of mothball smell? Thanks, Sissy

-- Sissy Sylvester-Barth (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), December 11, 2001

Answers

Response to mothball smell.....yeck!

Just a guess, but Fabreeze sp? may do the job. It's worth a try.

Talk to you later.

-- Bob in WI (bjwick@hotmail.com), December 11, 2001.

Response to mothball smell.....yeck!

Hang them outside for several days.

-- Anne (Healthytouch101@wildmail.com), December 11, 2001.

Response to mothball smell.....yeck!

Hey, it'll keep the bears away!

-- chuck in MD (woah@mission4me.com), December 11, 2001.

Response to mothball smell.....yeck!

Air them - like Anne, said, outside if you have to. A few days, a week, whatever it takes for you. The warmer they are while airing, the sooner the smell will dissipate and the moths can come back.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), December 12, 2001.

Add a cup of borax to the wash water, it is the best for odor removing washable items, and is way cheaper than Fabreeze.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), December 12, 2001.

I agree with Anne and Don.

I used to burn the rugs and such that my dog and cats used, thinking I'd never get the stench and hair out. Then I started hanging them on the line in the sun, wind, and rain for an extended period of time (usually a couple of weeks), which completely deodorizes them and removes all the hair.

I wouldn't recommend leaving your sweaters out in the rain, but I bet a few days of sun and wind would take care of the problem.

-- Sharon/WI (pinnow@inwave.com), December 12, 2001.