How To Use Lemons As Mothball Replacement In Your Closet

Remember that funny smell in your grandma's or elderly neighbor's house? You may have held your nose as a kid, discovering that the strong, odd odor was none other than mothballs. For years, the older generation relied on these tiny balls of chemicals to keep moths out of clothes and prevent mold growth in their homes. Nowadays, however, it's rarer to hear about people using them. And there's a good reason why.

Shockingly, mothballs carry vapors like naphthalene and other possible carcinogens that are toxic to inhale, according to the Department of Health and Hospitals. They emphasize that you should never use mothballs in your closets or other tightly closed spaces in the house (and makes you want to reread the ingredients in common cleaning products). If you're looking for a safer, more pleasant-smelling mothball replacement, lemons might do the trick. Not only does this tarty-sweet fruit leave a refreshing scent in the home, citrus fruits like lemons have insect-repelling and antimicrobial properties that also help kill mold. Knowing these benefits, it makes sense why there are so many household uses for citrus fruits. 

That said, you don't want to stick a plain lemon in your closet, as it would eventually rot and develop mold. Instead, you could spray a lemon juice solution to repel insects like moths. It's a quick and easy spray to make at home and great for multipurpose use.

The best thing about lemons is that you don't need the entire fruit to benefit from its use. The strong citric and antimicrobial properties remain in the lemon extracts — its juice, peels, and essential oils —  not to mention its fresh and invigorating aroma. Here's how you can make a natural insect repellent spray using lemons and replace those mothballs for good.

You'll only need two key ingredients for the spray solution: lemon juice and water. While the strong citrus smell repels insects like moths and other unwanted pests, the acidity of the lemon simultaneously helps disinfect and remove odors. Equally pour one part water and one part lemon juice together in a spray bottle. Give it a quick shake to mix well, and you're done. Spray the lemon solution around your closets and door cracks where moths and other insects may enter. You can even use your DIY lemon spray to repel ticks. 

And there you have it: a lemony-fresh closet spray that could keep moths and other insects at bay. Most importantly, the solution is safe to use around your family and pets. Still have plenty of leftover lemons? Don't toss them out just yet. Learn this quick lemon trick to deodorize your basement.