How to Get Mothball Smell Out of Leather
When you take out a leather jacket from storage, pull an old bag from the attic, or inherit vintage leather furniture, you may be greeted by that unmistakable sharp, chemical smell of mothballs.
It’s a scent that clings—acrid, stubborn, and deeply absorbed into the leather fibers.
You want your leather to smell clean and inviting, not like a storage closet from 1974.
Getting mothball smell out of leather isn’t impossible, but it does take the right approach.
Leather is porous and sensitive, so you need to eliminate the odor without drying it out, staining it, or compromising its structure.
In this guide, you’ll walk through the full process, step-by-step, to restore your leather to its best state—fresh, supple, and ready for use.
Understanding the Problem: Why the Smell Sticks
Before jumping into the fix, you need to understand why the smell is so persistent.
Mothballs are made from strong chemicals like naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, both of which are volatile and cling to fabrics, wood, and yes—leather.
Leather, being porous, absorbs and traps these molecules. And because it’s not something you can just throw in the wash, traditional cleaning methods don’t work.
Your mission is to pull the smell out gently, without damaging the material.
Step 1: Air It Out — But Do It Right
Your first move should be giving your leather item plenty of fresh air. But simply tossing it in a corner and hoping for the best won’t work. You need strategic airing.
How to Do It:
- Take the leather item outside and hang it in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can fade or dry out leather.
- Let it breathe for several hours a day, rotating the item occasionally to expose all surfaces.
- Do this for several days to a week, depending on how strong the smell is.
You won’t eliminate the odor completely with air alone, but this step reduces the intensity and prepares the leather for deeper treatment.
Step 2: Wipe Down the Surface
You can’t rely on passive airing alone. The mothball odor clings to the surface oils and residues, so your next task is to gently clean the leather without soaking it.
You’ll Need:
- A soft cloth (microfiber is ideal)
- Distilled water
- A small amount of gentle leather cleaner or mild soap
What to Do:
- Dampen the cloth lightly with water. You’re not trying to soak the leather—just get the cloth moist enough to lift residue.
- Add a tiny dab of leather cleaner or soap and gently wipe the entire surface of the item.
- Use a second cloth dampened with clean water to remove any soapy residue.
- Pat the surface dry with a clean towel.
This helps lift surface-level odor particles and grime that may be trapping the smell.
Step 3: Use Natural Odor Absorbers
Once the surface is clean, you need to draw the smell out from inside the leather. This is where natural odor absorbers come in. They don’t mask the smell—they absorb and neutralize it.
Choose from:
- Activated charcoal
- Baking soda
- Coffee grounds
How to Apply:
- Place your leather item in a large breathable container—like a cotton garment bag, mesh laundry hamper, or cardboard box. Avoid plastic; it traps odor.
- Put the odor absorber in a breathable pouch (use cheesecloth, a sock, or a mesh bag) and set it near—but not on—the leather item.
- Seal the container loosely to keep air flowing while containing the deodorizing material.
- Let it sit for 3–7 days, checking progress every few days.
This step works slowly but effectively. If the odor is deep, you may need to repeat the process with fresh absorbers.
Step 4: Neutralize Remaining Odors
If the smell lingers after natural absorbents, you can take a more direct—but still safe—approach using a homemade deodorizing spray.
DIY Leather-Friendly Spray:
- 1 part white vinegar
- 2 parts distilled water
- Optional: A drop or two of essential oil (like lavender or lemon—nothing too strong)
Application Steps:
- Lightly spray a cloth with the solution—never spray directly on leather.
- Wipe the surface gently, section by section.
- Allow to air-dry completely in a shaded area.
Vinegar is a natural deodorizer and evaporates quickly, leaving no long-term smell behind. The optional essential oil can help give the leather a more pleasant scent while remaining safe.
Step 5: Condition the Leather
By now, you’ve aired, wiped, and neutralized. But in the process, you may have stripped away some of the natural oils from the leather’s surface.
Conditioning restores flexibility, sheen, and a pleasant leather aroma that helps replace the mothball scent.
Choose a Quality Leather Conditioner:
Look for one specifically designed for your type of leather—full-grain, top-grain, or synthetic (if applicable).
How to Apply:
- Use a soft, clean cloth to apply a small amount of conditioner.
- Rub in gentle, circular motions, covering the entire surface.
- Let it sit for the time recommended on the label.
- Buff off excess with a dry cloth.
Conditioning also helps seal the leather, which slows down the reabsorption of unwanted smells in the future.
Step 6: Scent the Leather (Optional)
If you want to go the extra step and give your leather a subtle, pleasant scent, you can apply a leather-safe fragrance treatment.
Don’t use perfume or fabric sprays—they contain alcohol and chemicals that can dry out or stain the surface.
Instead, try:
- Leather-scented conditioning wipes
- Cedar sachets placed near (but not touching) the leather
- Scent-infused leather sprays made specifically for furniture or apparel
Remember to keep the scent subtle. Leather naturally carries its own aroma, and you’re aiming to restore that—not overpower it.
Specific Scenarios and Tips
For Leather Jackets:
Turn the sleeves inside out to air them out thoroughly. Hang on a wide, padded hanger to avoid warping the shape. Use charcoal in a hanging bag for best results.
For Leather Bags:
Fill the interior with crumpled newspaper or dry baking soda pouches. Let them sit for days and replace as needed. Clean both inside and outside surfaces.
For Leather Furniture:
Sprinkle baking soda over the cushions and let sit for a few hours before vacuuming with a brush attachment. Use sprays sparingly and follow up with conditioner.
For Leather Car Interiors:
Use car-specific leather cleaning and conditioning products. Leave windows cracked open in a safe area to promote ventilation. Activated charcoal pouches under the seats can make a big difference.
Maintenance to Prevent Future Odors
Once you’ve restored your leather, you’ll want to keep it that way. Mothball smells are hard to eliminate, so it’s best to avoid them from returning altogether.
Here’s how:
- Store leather in breathable garment bags, not plastic.
- Avoid mothballs entirely. Use cedar blocks, lavender sachets, or other natural moth repellents instead.
- Keep leather out of damp spaces like basements or attics. Choose dry, temperature-stable storage.
- Air out stored leather quarterly. A few hours of fresh air every few months goes a long way.
Final Thoughts
Getting mothball smell out of leather isn’t a one-step miracle. It takes a combination of patience, the right tools, and a gentle hand.
But by airing it out, wiping it down, absorbing the odors, and conditioning the leather, you can bring your item back to life—without a trace of that chemical sting.
With a little time and the methods you’ve learned here, you can breathe fresh life into vintage leather, hidden closet treasures, or handed-down family pieces.
Once the smell is gone, you’ll be left with the rich scent and texture that made you love leather in the first place.
