Removing moth ball odor from interior

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iroc86

New member
I recently purchased a Cadillac Allante and I'm having a tough time getting the interior to smell normal again. The previous owner, in his infinite wisdom, decided to stuff two coffee cans full of moth balls inside the car. It was stored for two years like that. I've already gutted the interior, steam-cleaned the carpet, replaced every last bit of jute, conditioned the leather seats, and applied GM Odor Eliminator just about everywhere, but the smell still lingers. Initially I suspected the seats were holding most of the odor, but after several applications of Leatherique and Zaino Z-9/Z-10, they smell pretty normal now up close. We've had two weeks of hot weather (95 degrees) and I've even left the car outside with the top down to try to bake out the odor. Things have definitely improved, but I'm still disappointed with the results.



It would be great to hear any suggestions for dealing with this problem. I found many suggestions in previous threads, but I was curious if there's anything I should be doing that's moth ball-specific. I've gleaned a lot of great information here as a guest user over the past few years. :)
 
From my experience, airing out is the only way to totally remove. I cleaned one last week, same problem. Cleaned, deodorized, ozone and aired out. Made it drivable again, but still had smell. There are so many areas that can not be cleaned.



Continual ozone might work, but I found the most relief from airing out.
 
DrivePur is the only product of many I've used that will 'sanitize' and remove 'any' odour from a vehicles interior
 
Whenever I detail a smokers car and have it the night before I get four bowls and put a cup of vinegar in each and leave them in the car over night. It really reduces the amount of the smell.
 
ernman said:
Whenever I detail a smokers car and have it the night before I get four bowls and put a cup of vinegar in each and leave them in the car over night. It really reduces the amount of the smell.
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Mothballs are a strong smelling, volatile solid pesticide made from naphthalene or para- dichlorobenzene made to repel moths and insects. They off-gas toxic fumes which kill moths and other insects and can be hazardous to humans. This type of odor is extremely pungent and is difficult to remove and would suggest that you clean thoroughly all plastic surfaces with an AP and some white vinegar and wash copiously all plastic pieces including shampoo and rinsing of all textiles.



If you continue to smell the odor make sure you air out the vehicle well, clean again, or use a Restorator (odor neutralizing dry vapor into the air) the compound effectively neutralizes impregnated odors. The principle behind odor modification and the restorator is when two substances of given concentrations are mixed, the resulting odor may be far less intense than that of separate components and not be perceptible. If you continue to smell the odor clean again air out and follow up with fogging with Odor Terminator by Valugard or Drive Pur.
 
Wow, thanks so much for the helpful suggestions! I have a couple things to try now... and I was beginning to think that all hope was lost. I appreciate the ideas, guys.
 
'The principle behind odor modification and the restorator is when two substances of given concentrations are mixed, the resulting odor may be far less intense than that of separate components and not be perceptible.'



I used- Odorcide uses a chemistry called Zwaademaker Conjugates. This process bonds, absorbs and then counteracts the odor molecules ability to emit a vapor.



It helped but some materials held onto the odor more that others. Rubber floor mats, being one.



Not sure Terminator would work for the fact that there is no food source, for it to treat.
 
Odor removal looks like a science all to itself. Lots to learn, for sure.



D&D, I'm in Western PA. DrivePur has a shop near Harrisburg according to their website. Maybe I can find someone closer to home with their products.



I guess I could also try a few of the different odor products mentioned in this thread and see which ones work best. The GM Odor Eliminator, which came highly recommended by a few other sources, seemed to do well on fabrics and inside the A/C system after removing traces of a mouse's nest. (So much for the moth balls to keep critters away!) I wonder how similar it is to Valugard's Odor Terminator. Ron, thanks so much for the discount code!



I've also read good things about using activated charcoal. Has anyone tried that with positive results?
 
Great post indeed! Thank you for a great suggestions it really helps people like us in terms of some car problems. I hope in the near future i can also share some better suggestion that can help other car owners.
 
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