How to Remove the Smell of Mothballs From Shoes

By: Kimberly Johnson

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If that handful of mothballs tossed in with last season’s shoes have left a smell that makes your eyes sting, some quick odor control is in order. It's the strong odor that keeps insects, like moths, away -- but, it will also keep people away if you don’t air those puppies out. The smell can also cause skin irritation and breathing problems. Removing the offensive odor requires a bit of natural or man-made heat and some serious odor absorbers.

Step 1

Dampen a clean cloth with warm water and add a pea-sized amount of gentle laundry detergent. Wipe the external surfaces of the shoes to remove any mothball flakes or residue that may still be present. If the shoes are not water-safe, remove the flakes by brushing the shoes gently with a soft-bristled brush.

Step 2

Fill two old socks half full with activated charcoal. Tie a knot in the top of the socks to prevent the charcoal from spilling out. Activated charcoal is available in the laundry department of most supermarkets and general merchandise stores.

Step 3

Insert one sock into each shoe pushing them as far down into the toe as possible.

Step 4

Take the shoes outdoors to an area that receives good ventilation but that is not in direct sunlight. Place the shoes 6 to 12 inches apart to provide plenty of air flow in between them. If you can’t leave the shoes outdoors, place them inside a dryer and set the dryer to medium heat. Turn the dryer on for 15 to 20 minutes and wait until it shuts off. If the odor persists, place the shoes back in the dryer for another 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 5

Leave the shoes outdoors for 24 hours to allow the mothball smell to dissipate. Remove the socks from each shoe and smell the shoes to see if the smell remains.

Step 6

Create a mix of 40-percent water and 60-percent denatured alcohol and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray all surfaces of the shoes with the solution to get rid of any residual mothball odor. Let the shoes air-dry thoroughly. Test the alcohol on a small portion of the shoe first to ensure colorfastness.