http://www.care2.com/greenliving/ask-annie-moth-ball-alternatives.html
Non-Toxic Moth Ball Alternatives
By Annie B. Bond
I receive a lot of e-mail from frustrated readers who have learned about the National Toxicology Program’s designation that moth balls are potential carcinogens, have removed moth balls from their home, and can’t rid their clothes or furniture of the toxic
smell of moth balls. They are also looking for effective moth ball alternatives.
The first
is an interesting question because there is only one thing known to remove moth ball odors:
Removing Moth Ball Smell
The bad news about removing the smell of moth balls is that it is not easy. The only way that I know of to remove the smell (and this is confirmed by many discussions with other experts) is by putting the clothing and furniture in the sun. Keep repeating until the smell is gone.
Before packing woolens away, there are a number of important steps to take to prevent moths, including washing the wool. Here you can learn about how to wet clean wool without shrinkage, how to make your own natural moth balls (repellent sachets), and what to do if you already have clothing moths.
How to Repel Clothing Moths
1. Clean woolen items before storing.
To wet clean wool: The key to not shrinking wool is to never twist it, agitate it, or wring it out. Gently swirl the wool in the water, then rinse and press the water out. Wool is an acidic material, so use a shampoo with its acidic pH. Or an acidic detergent. Any soap or detergent with a pH above 8 will harm wool. To lower the pH of a soap or detergent, add 1 tablespoon of white distilled vinegar or lemon juice before washing. Water temperature when washing wool should be around 100 F. Block wool—lay it flat and shape it—before drying.
2. Air woolen clothing in the sun for a few hours before packing them away.
3. Make your own moth ball alternatives.
Natural Moth Balls (Repellent Sachets): These sachets are lovely to tuck into sweater drawers and hang in closets. Most health food stores sell bulk dried herbs.
2 ounces each of dried rosemary and mint
1 ounce each of dried thyme and ginseng
8 ounces of whole cloves
Combine the ingredients in a large bowl. Blend. Make sachets by choosing a 4 x 4 inch piece of natural fiber with a tight weave, such as silk. Sew three sides together, then fill with the herbs and sew the fourth side shut. You can adapt this pattern to any size you want (2 x 2 is the traditional size for the undergarments drawer, for example). A good idea for small sachets is to fill cotton teabags sold for making your own tea (these are often sold in health food stores). If you are really in a rush, just tie the herbs up in a cotton bandana or handkerchief; place the herbs in the middle, gather the edges together, and tie with a ribbon.
Variation: Other herbs that are good for repelling moths include lavender, lemon, sweet woodruff, and tansy.
4. Completely seal clean woolen items in bags, boxes, and chests. Cedar chests help repel moths, but they must be sealed.
5. If you see moths, freeze the item of clothing for two days in the freezer.
Wool Moth Spray
If you have wool moths already, the best spray is to make one of neem oil, adding 1/4 cup of neem oil to 1/2 gallon water, with a dab of liquid castile soap, in a spray bottle.
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22 comments
add your comment »Good thinking!
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why is this inappropriate?
wow you are using ginseng, thats rly clever
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why is this inappropriate?
first of all the only way that you will have a lingering smell is if you use tons of mothballs at one time. However,. If you use only two mothballs in each closet and drawer no you will not have a smell and it will kill the moths.
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why is this inappropriate?
can you please explain how to use the spray? Does it go directly onto the clothing/item or do you spray the inside of your closet?
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These sachets smell wonderful! The smell of clove was a little bit too strong for me, so I substituted with lavendar. I also could not find ginseng. But, my clothes smell great. Alas, I already have a clothes moth problem (the whole apartment building does I believe), so I'm not sure if the sachets will help at this point. But at least they can't hurt!
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Thank you so much ladies, This is fabulous advice. I can use these in my home and trailer. Hugs Linnie
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why is this inappropriate?
In regard to the sun ridding the mothball odor, is it the result of the sun's light or it's heat? I have two cabinets with this odor. One a 3 drawer/2 door with 2 shelves. The other a 4 door with 4 shelves and 1 drawer. I'm not able to get them outside. Would it help to direct artificial light or heat into them? Thanks for your reply. Mary L.
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why is this inappropriate?
I freeze any grains (flour, corn meal, oatmeal) I buy overnight. Seems to kill any bugs in there. I used to use bay leaf (it works), but my flour sometimes tasted of bay.
I think most of the moths I see come from bags stored too long or merchandise left in storage areas of stores to be sold next season.
I use a 50/50 sachet of black peppercorns and whole cloves. To a 1/4 cup, I add 1 broken cinnamon stick. This contains volatile oils, so you don't want it making contact with your clothing, or it will stain.
When you make orange pomanders, there are a couple of things you can do. Make sure there are cloves on the bottom of the orange, so there's air circulating underneath, I ususally end up with a petrified orange. You can also use lemons. limes or apples.
Another way to make sure the orange doesn't leak is to roll it in orris root powder (this smells good too). Hope this helps!
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does the neem oil solution work for bed bugs as well as carpet moth larvae?
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Here is the tip for grain/pantry moths:
http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/home/5
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