Can Mothball Smell Make You Sick? Health Risk and What to Do

If you open a closet or attic door and ask yourself, is the smell of mothballs harmful, you are not overreacting. That odor comes from chemicals that can irritate your eyes, nose, and lungs, especially in a small, poorly ventilated space. If the smell is strong or you start feeling off, treat it like an exposure problem, not just a nuisance.

For more help, see our Mothball Placement: Legal Label Use and Safety Limits guide.

What the smell of mothballs actually means

Mothball odor is a sign that chemical vapors are escaping into the air. Most mothball products use volatile ingredients that turn into gas, then spread through fabric storage areas. The smell can stay noticeable long after the initial exposure because vapors cling to porous materials and can slowly release over time.

What chemicals cause the odor

The classic mothballs used in many homes contain either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Both release vapors that create the familiar strong, “medicinal” smell. Higher temperature and airflow move those vapors faster, which is why the odor often intensifies in warm rooms, near vents, or when stored containers are opened. If you can, check the label on your mothballs to identify which chemical is in your product, since the irritation risk is tied to breathing those vapors.

Why the smell can linger in closets, attics, and stored clothes

Vapors can absorb into fabrics, cardboard boxes, and other porous materials. Once they soak in, the odor can keep coming back when you open the storage area or when the temperature changes. Closets and attics also tend to have less airflow, so vapors build up instead of dispersing. Even if you remove the mothballs, trapped vapors may continue to release for days to weeks depending on how long they were stored together and how tightly the space is enclosed.

Why strong odor does not always equal immediate danger

A strong smell means more chemical vapors are in the air, but it does not automatically predict a severe health emergency. Risk depends on exposure duration, ventilation, and your sensitivity. Someone may smell it intensely yet feel fine, while another person feels irritation quickly. Treat any strong or worsening odor as meaningful and act early by ventilating and leaving the area, especially if you notice symptoms.

Can mothball fumes make you sick?

Yes, mothball fumes can make you sick. Inhaling the vapors can irritate your respiratory tract and trigger symptoms like headache, nausea, eye burning, and coughing. The closer you are to the source and the longer you stay in the room, the more likely you are to feel effects.

Common short-term symptoms to watch for

Watch for irritation and neurological symptoms that start after you enter the space. Common short-term signs include burning or watery eyes, runny nose, throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness. Some people also get headaches, dizziness, nausea, or unusual sleepiness. If you feel these symptoms while the odor is present, step out and breathe fresh air, then ventilate the area before you return.

Who is more vulnerable to exposure

Children, pets, and people with asthma, COPD, or chemical sensitivities are more vulnerable because they breathe faster and have smaller airways. A child may also access stored items and inhale closer to the source, or accidentally swallow a mothball. If you share your home with anyone at higher risk, treat mothball storage as off-limits inside living spaces, and ensure products are sealed and stored far from where people spend time.

When odor exposure becomes more concerning

Odor exposure becomes more concerning when symptoms appear or the smell does not fade after you improve ventilation. Seek urgent help if you have trouble breathing, persistent vomiting, severe dizziness, confusion, or worsening coughing. Contact poison control if a child swallowed mothballs, if you suspect heavy exposure, or if symptoms do not improve after leaving the area and getting fresh air.

Health risks linked to mothball exposure

Mothball exposure can range from mild irritation to more significant effects with high or repeated exposure. The main issue is that the chemicals can irritate airways and, in certain cases, affect the nervous system. How serious it becomes depends on dose, ventilation, and individual health.

Breathing irritation, headaches, and nausea

The most common health complaints are irritation-related. Vapors can inflame your nose, throat, and lungs, leading to coughing, burning eyes, and sore throat. Headaches and nausea can happen when irritants trigger stress responses and when exposure is more concentrated in a small space. If symptoms start during exposure, they are a signal to leave immediately and reduce airborne concentration.

What happens with repeated or high exposure

Repeated or high exposure increases the chance of persistent respiratory irritation, prolonged headaches, and more intense nausea or dizziness. People with asthma may experience flare-ups, including increased wheezing or shortness of breath. In higher exposures, the chemical effects can also be more systemic, which is why heavy exposure should be handled as a safety issue, not a comfort issue. If exposure is strong enough to cause symptoms, treat it like a health event.

Why children, pets, and people with asthma need extra caution

Children and pets can take in more vapor relative to their body size, and they may be closer to stored items. Swallowing is also a real concern, even with small amounts. For asthma and other breathing conditions, mothball vapors can trigger bronchospasm and make breathing harder. Keep storage areas inaccessible to children and pets, and avoid using mothballs in locations that can reach living air.

What to do if you smell mothballs at home

If you smell mothballs at home, act quickly to reduce exposure. Ventilation and removing the source from the breathing zone make the biggest difference. If you feel symptoms, prioritize getting away from the odor before you do anything else.

Open windows and increase ventilation

Start by lowering the concentration of vapors in the air.

Leave the room and get fresh air immediately.
Open all windows you can in that area and nearby connecting rooms.
Turn on exhaust fans (bathroom or kitchen fans if they vent outside).
Keep the area off-limits until the odor drops significantly.

If weather allows, create a cross-breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of the home.

Find the source before using the room normally

Do not start normal activities in the space while the odor is still strong. Look for the mothball container or the storage area where it was used, such as a sealed box of seasonal clothes, an attic trunk, or a closet shelf.

Wear a basic mask if you must approach the source closely (a well-fitting respirator is best, but a simple mask is still better than nothing).
Locate the exact container or area where the odor is strongest.

Do not rummage through items right away, since agitation can release more vapor.

If you cannot locate the source quickly, keep the area closed and ventilated while you search carefully.

Remove stored items safely and avoid mixing chemicals

Once you find the source, remove it in a way that limits vapor release and prevents chemical interactions.

Move mothball containers and stored items outdoors or into a garage with the door open (avoid your main living space).
Place mothballs back into their original packaging or an airtight, labeled container.
Do not mix mothballs with cleaners, pesticides, bleach, or other chemicals, since reactions can create additional fumes.

Keep items separated so odor does not spread to other boxes or clothing.

Seal everything again before bringing items back indoors.

How to clean up the odor and reduce exposure

Odor cleanup is about getting rid of chemical vapors trapped in fabrics and storage materials. Airing and proper disposal reduce future exposure. Switching to safer storage methods can prevent the problem from returning.

Air out clothing, fabrics, and storage areas

Start with what absorbs vapors. Fabrics need airflow and time to release trapped odor.

Take clothing and washable fabrics outside to a ventilated area.
Hang items so air can reach both sides, then air them for at least several hours.
Wash according to the care label using detergent and, if the odor remains, run an extra rinse.

For non-washable items, air them longer and consider professional cleaning if the smell persists.

For storage spaces like closets, wipe hard surfaces with a mild cleaner and ventilate until the odor drops.

Dispose of old mothballs the right way

Old or spent mothballs can still release vapors, so proper disposal reduces lingering fumes.

Keep unused or old mothballs sealed in a container.
Check your local waste rules for chemical disposal. Many areas treat mothballs as household hazardous waste.
Do not dump them in sinks, toilets, or regular trash if your local rules forbid it.
If you must transport them, keep them upright, sealed, and labeled.

If you are unsure where to take them, contact your local waste authority for mothball disposal instructions.

Use safer storage alternatives instead

You can protect clothing from pests without filling your home air with chemical vapors. Alternatives include sealed containers and proper cleaning.

Use airtight plastic totes or vacuum-seal bags for seasonal items.

Keep items clean before storage, since moths are drawn to residues and existing damage.
Add cedar (in breathable sachets or blocks) for odor-based deterrence, since it does not create the same vapor risk.
Use sticky traps or monitoring for early pest detection.

These steps reduce odor and keep stored items from contaminating living air.

When to get medical help or call poison control

If symptoms are present, do not wait and hope it passes. Poison control can guide you based on the specific product and your symptoms. For severe breathing problems, treat it as an emergency.

Symptoms that need urgent attention

Get urgent medical help if breathing symptoms are severe or worsening. Call emergency services if you have trouble breathing, persistent chest pain, bluish lips, or you are extremely drowsy or confused. Seek urgent care if you have seizures, repeated vomiting, or eye or throat injury that is worsening. In these situations, the priority is immediate evaluation and oxygenation.

What to do after accidental swallowing or heavy exposure

Swallowing is a clear red flag. If a child or pet swallows mothballs, act fast and do not try to neutralize it with random household remedies.

Call poison control right away (in the US, call 1-800-222-1222).
If vomiting occurs, keep the person upright and follow poison control instructions.
If the person is unconscious or having trouble breathing, call emergency services.

For heavy exposure, move to fresh air and keep warm, then follow poison control guidance on next steps.

Have the product label or chemical name available for the call.

When to call a doctor for lingering symptoms

If symptoms improve after you leave the area but linger, it is reasonable to call a clinician for advice. Contact a doctor if you have ongoing coughing, chest tightness, persistent headache, or continued nausea beyond a day. If you have asthma or another chronic lung condition, check in sooner, especially if you need rescue inhaler more than normal. For kids and pets, get medical guidance even if symptoms seem mild, because they can change quickly.

How to prevent mothball problems in the future

Prevention is about storage discipline and choosing alternatives that do not release strong vapors. The goal is to keep moth protection contained, away from living air, and out of reach.

Store seasonal items without mothballs when possible

The simplest prevention is avoiding mothballs entirely. Store clean seasonal clothes and linens in sealed containers, which blocks moth access without chemical fumes.

Wash and dry items before storage.
Store them in airtight totes or sealed bags.
Add cedar blocks or sachets in breathable containers if you like that scent.

Store containers in a cool, dry area away from frequent foot traffic.

This keeps both odor and exposure risks down.

Keep products in sealed containers and away from living spaces

If you do use mothballs, treat them like a chemical source that must stay contained. Do not place them in open drawers or on shelves where air can carry vapors into your home.

Keep mothballs in their original packaging or an airtight, labeled container.

Store them in a sealed tote with the lid closed, and keep the tote in a non-living area when possible.
Keep containers out of bedrooms, kitchens, and common living spaces.
Never store them loosely in closets where clothing hangs nearby.

Replace mothball products when the odor fades, since performance drops and leftover odor can still linger in fabrics.

Choose pest-control methods that are safer indoors

Better pest control reduces the need for mothball chemicals. Focus on prevention, monitoring, and targeted action.

Use sticky traps to detect adult moths early.
Regularly clean closets, vacuum edges, and launder or dry-clean vulnerable fabrics.

If infestations appear, use pest control that is rated for indoor use and follow label directions exactly.
Consider professional pest management when you see active damage or repeated moth activity.

These approaches protect your home without filling the air with irritating vapors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the smell of mothballs harmful if I only notice it for a short time?

A brief odor exposure is usually less concerning than prolonged exposure, but it can still irritate sensitive people. If the smell is strong or it makes you feel off, leave the area and ventilate it right away. If symptoms like headache, nausea, coughing, burning eyes, or dizziness appear, get fresh air and consider contacting poison control for advice.

Can mothballs make you sick just from smelling them?

Yes, inhaling mothball fumes can cause irritation and symptoms in some people, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Repeated or heavy exposure is more likely to cause problems than a faint, occasional odor. If you feel symptoms while the odor is present, treat it as exposure, not a harmless smell.

What symptoms mean mothball exposure may be a problem?

Watch for headache, nausea, dizziness, eye or throat irritation, coughing, trouble breathing, or unusual sleepiness. These symptoms suggest your body is reacting to the vapors. Seek urgent help if symptoms are severe, especially if a child or pet may have been exposed.

Are mothballs more dangerous for children or pets?

Yes. Children and pets are more vulnerable because they may inhale more fumes relative to their size or accidentally swallow the product. Keep mothballs away from all living areas and stored items they can reach. If swallowing happens, call poison control immediately.

Should I throw away clothes that smell like mothballs?

Not always. In many cases, airing them outside and washing according to the care label can reduce the odor. If the smell is strong or the fabric was stored with mothballs for a long time, air longer and consider professional cleaning, especially for items that cannot be washed.