What Is the Quickest Method to Remove Moth Ball Odor From a Vehicle?

The smell of moth balls can be overwhelming, and getting rid of it quickly from your motor home or trailer requires some effort and a little bit of time. If you have store your motor home or trailer for the winter months, you can add a few moth balls to prevent upholstery damage from mold or mildew. This is a good practice and will extend the life of your motor home or camper interior, but it does leave a smell to deal with each spring.

  1. Ventilation

    • Open all the windows and bring in fans to get air moving. Exchanging the air inside the motor home or camper will be the first step in minimizing the smell.

    White Vinegar and Charcoal

    • Prepare a solution of white vinegar and water mixed at equal strengths. Wash down all the hard surfaces with the mixture. Place small containers of white vinegar throughout the motor home or camper to help in removing the smell. Buy charcoal -- not the kind for the barbecue, but actual charcoal -- and place it throughout the motor home or trailer on disposable paper plate. Charcoal is an absorbent material that will help in removing the odor.

    Commercial Products

    • Use a commercial fabric spray like Febreze or other similar products. Follow the instructions and spray all the fabric in the motor home or camper. Where possible, remove any material and machine wash it using a normal detergent and a cup of white vinegar. These steps will help you remove the moth ball odor from your motor home or camper as quickly as possible so you can begin you summer camping trips.

    Prevent It From Happening

    • The easiest way to not have to get rid of the smell is to prevent if from occurring in the first place. This can be tricky as it is a good idea to use moth balls to protect the inside of your camper during the winter months. When placing the moth balls into the camper, place paper plates with charcoal in them. This will help to reduce the odor somewhat when you open the camper the following season. You can also remove as much of the coverings, drapery and other fabric as possible and store them inside your home.