Traditional moth balls have been made from naphthalene or other chemical substances that are meant to kill the insects as well as any eggs they may have laid. It is characteristically foul smelling, since what deters the moths from eating your clothes and multiplying are the fumes. Over the years much concern has been raised about the safety of using chemical based moth balls. Some claim that the chemicals are passed onto the clothes, thus making them unsafe to wear especially for young children.
If you’re one of those people who would rather not expose your family to chemicals, there are natural and perfectly safe moth ball alternatives that you can try. Herbal sachets are one of them. Whether home made or store bought, these herbal sachets contain a selection of dried herbs known for their aromatic qualities citronella, lavender, citrus peels, orrisroot and even nutmeg and cinnamon are some of the favorite ingredients. Another popular choice are cedar wood blocks. These are not very big chunks of wood, in fact they are only slightly bigger than a matchbox and are hung from the closets or kept with the clothes inside trunks or drawers. Cedar wood naturally possesses insect repellent qualities, and one piece can be used for a long time. It is also very sweet smelling, so you wouldn’t have to worry about your clothes smelling of chemicals.