How to Make Homemade Mothballs

Mothballs are made of either solid naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. The chemicals slowly turn from a solid to a vapor, and it is the vapor that kills the moths. In fact, the odor that mothballs put out is actually the vaporized form of the insecticides. These two substances are highly toxic to humans as well if inhaled or eaten. Instead of using chemical mothballs, use a natural, nontoxic alternative to keep your clothes mothfree while avoiding the potential health risks of the chemically based versions.

Cedar blocks or chips
Organic cotton balls
Essential oils of lavender, cinnamon or cedar
Dried lavender, rosemary, thyme, mint, clove and ginseng
Dried lemon peel
Cedar shavings
Oranges
Muslin or cheesecloth squares, approximately 6 by 6 inches
String

Instructions

- 1
  Place cedar blocks or cedar chips in your closet or clothes chest.
- 2
  Dip organic cotton balls in essential oil. Lavender and cedar are the most commonly used, though cinnamon may also work. Allow the cotton balls to sit overnight to fully absorb the oil. Wrap the cotton balls in a fabric square and tie with string. Hang the sachets on a hanger in your closet.
- 3
  Make a mixture of some or all of the following herbs: rosemary, clove, ginseng, mint, thyme and lavender. The exact proportions aren't critical. A roughly 1-to-1 recipe is fine. Place a spoonful of the herb mixture on a fabric square and tie with string. You can also make sachets with a single herb. Lavender, mint, rosemary or clove work best.
- 4
  Make a sachet with dried lemon peel or cedar shavings.
- 5
  Make a pomander. A pomander is a dried orange studded with cloves. Allow the oranges to dry out for a few days in a dry place with good airflow. Stud the oranges with cloves until completely covered. Dry the clove-studded oranges for another few days to get rid of the juice. Hang the pomander in your closet.

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