Home Garden

How to Get the Smell of Mothballs Out of Stuffed Animals

If you have stuffed animals that you store in an attic or basement with mothballs to help protect them, the toys likely smell when you want to use them again. If you can smell the mothballs, chances are vapors from chemicals can pose a risk to you, your children and pets.

Things You'll Need

  • Pillowcase
  • Laundry soap
  • Vinegar
  • Clean blanket or towel
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Place the stuffed animal into a pillowcase to protect it in the washing machine. Tie the pillowcase shut.

    • 2

      Set your washing machine on a gentle cycle to avoid damaging the stuffed animal.

    • 3

      Add your regular laundry soap in the same way as for any other laundry load. Pour 1 cup vinegar into the washing machine. Vinegar helps remove strong odors, and you won't smell it when the wash is done.

    • 4

      Run the washing machine to allow the laundry soap and vinegar to work.

    • 5

      Remove the stuffed animal from the pillowcase.

    • 6

      Hang the stuffed animal to dry in the sun, or lay it on a clean blanket or towel in the sun. The sun helps break up odors. You can also place the stuffed animal in the dryer. However, keep the heat setting low and keep the animal in the pillowcase for drying.