5 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Mothball Smell in Your Car

Mothballs or naphthalene balls, when placed in the car, can help keep the insects, as well as rodents (like mice), away.

You can use a small bag filled with mothballs to hang under the front of the car’s hood or bonnet as a strong repellent. Or if you are planning for a campervan drive, put a very small amount under the mattresses to repel the pests.

Although mothballs can help keep a variety of critters out of your vehicle, the only problem is their strong smell that can remain inside.

If left for long, the odor inside the car can permeate the interior, which can be hard to get rid of.

But worry not, here in this article, we will discuss how you can stop this powerful smell from the inside of your vehicle by using household natural methods.

So, let’s get into them right away…

How to Get the Mothball Smell Out of a Car?

Ah, the unmistakable whiff of naphthalene—that pungent, chemical aroma from mothballs.

It’s strong enough to make you question your life choices, yet stubborn enough to linger in your car for weeks.

Don’t worry—here’s how to remove and neutralize it effectively without making your car smell like a chemical lab.

1. Ventilate

Nothing beats good old fresh air. Open all doors and windows, and let airflow do its magic.

Naphthalene molecules are volatile, which means they evaporate into the air over time.

The more air circulation, the faster they disperse. For best results, park in a breezy area or use a portable fan to speed up the process. Think of it as giving your car a much-needed deep breath.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda is cheap, safe, and surprisingly effective. Sprinkle it generously on carpets, seats, and floor mats, and leave it overnight.

Baking soda absorbs odor-causing molecules by neutralizing acidic or basic compounds in the air.

Technically, it reacts with naphthalene residues, capturing them in its crystalline structure so they don’t float around to assault your nostrils.

Vacuum it up the next day and enjoy a noticeably fresher cabin.

3. Activated Charcoal

If baking soda is good, charcoal is like bringing a magnet to a nail fight. Place a few bags or bowls of activated charcoal in the car’s interior.

Its porous structure provides an enormous surface area that traps chemical vapors, including naphthalene.

The result is a natural deodorizer that silently sucks the stink right out of your car.

Bonus: it’s chemical-free, so your passengers won’t think you’ve started a lab experiment.

4. Vinegar Solution

White vinegar isn’t just for salad dressing—it’s a mothball-fighting powerhouse.

Mix equal parts water and vinegar, then wipe down hard surfaces like dashboards, door panels, and cup holders.

Vinegar’s mild acidity chemically reacts with basic naphthalene compounds, neutralizing the odor rather than just masking it.

Pro tip: avoid soaking leather or fabric; a damp microfiber cloth works best.

5. Coffee Grounds or Citrus Peels

Sometimes, odor elimination isn’t just about science—it’s about joy.

Place a bowl of coffee grounds or fresh citrus peels in your car for a few days.

Coffee grounds absorb lingering volatile compounds, while citrus releases natural oils that mask and neutralize odors simultaneously.

Bonus: your car ends up smelling like a cozy café or a fresh orchard instead of a chemical warehouse.

How Dangerous are Mothball Fumes in a Car?

Mothballs contain chemicals like naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which give them that unmistakable, lingering odor.

While these compounds are solid at room temperature, they gradually sublimate into gas, which can be highly toxic when inhaled.

Whether in a home, car, or camper van, exposure to these fumes can be harmful to both humans and pets.

Some modern mothball brands are designed to be less pungent and safer for small enclosed spaces like vehicles.

However, even these alternatives carry a noticeable smell that can linger for weeks or months if not properly ventilated.

The scent itself may seem minor, but prolonged inhalation of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene can irritate the respiratory system, cause headaches, or trigger more serious health effects over time.

For this reason, it’s important to remove mothball odors completely from your vehicle, even after the initial smell seems to have faded.

Proper ventilation, odor absorbers, and cleaning surfaces are key steps to protect your health while keeping your car fresh.

How Long Does it Take to Remove the Mothball Smell from a Car?

The time it takes to get rid of mothball odor largely depends on how long the mothballs were inside the car, the ventilation, and the methods used to eliminate the smell.

Natural Ventilation: Simply opening all doors and windows and letting fresh air circulate can take several days to a week for the smell to fade, especially if the mothballs were left in the car for a long time.

Odor Absorbers: Using baking soda, activated charcoal, or coffee grounds can accelerate the process, typically reducing the odor within 2–5 days if left inside the car.

Pro Tip: For stubborn odors, combine ventilation, odor absorbers, and a deep clean. In most cases, with consistent effort, your car should smell normal within a week or two.

Preventative Measures to Keep the Mothball Odors Away from Your Car

The best way to deal with mothball smell is to avoid using mothballs in your car altogether.

Even modern, low-odor versions can leave lingering traces of naphthalene, so it’s safer to rely on other odor-control methods.

Regular cleaning and maintenance go a long way.

Wipe down hard surfaces, vacuum carpets, and clean fabric surfaces like seats and mats to prevent any odor buildup.

Addressing the moisture issues is equally important in your car.

Damp interiors promote lingering odors, so check for leaks, use desiccants, or keep windows slightly open when parked in humid conditions.

Deep Cleaning, AC Treatment, Air Fresheners & Temporary Masking

Cleaning fabric surfaces, wiping hard surfaces, and disinfecting the car air conditioner can remove trapped naphthalene particles faster, often in 1–3 days, depending on how thorough the cleaning is.

Don’t forget the car air conditioner—mold and moisture in the vents can trap chemical smells, so running disinfectants like Lysol or using AC cleaners periodically can help.

Products like Febreze or Lysol can also help mask the mothball smell immediately, but they don’t eliminate the root cause—so the odor may return if the underlying residues aren’t addressed.

By combining these habits—avoiding mothballs, maintaining cleanliness, managing moisture, and using safe deodorizing products—you can keep your car smelling fresh without resorting to toxic chemicals.

Final Thoughts

The lingering, strong scent of mothballs can quickly make your car an unpleasant space.

Thankfully, with a little time and effort using simple household products like baking soda, vinegar, or a good charcoal air purifier, you can effectively eliminate the odor.

The key is persistence: be thorough in cleaning and allow sufficient time for the deodorizers to absorb the chemical fumes. Once the smell is gone, you can enjoy a fresh-smelling vehicle again!