Mothball vs. Naphthalene — What's the Difference?

Mothballs are small balls of chemical pesticide and deodorant, sometimes used when storing clothing and other articles susceptible to damage from mold or moth larvae (especially clothes moths like Tineola bisselliella).

Naphthalene is an organic compound with formula C10H8. It is the simplest polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, and is a white crystalline solid with a characteristic odor that is detectable at concentrations as low as 0.08 ppm by mass.

A marble-sized ball, originally of camphor but now of naphthalene, stored with clothes to repel moths.

A white crystalline aromatic compound, C10H8, derived from coal tar or petroleum and used in manufacturing dyes, moth repellents, and explosives and as a solvent. Also called tar camphor.

A condition of long storage for possible future use

A white crystalline hydrocarbon manufactured from coal tar; used in mothballs.

A condition of being set aside or discarded

(organic compound) An aromatic bicyclic hydrocarbon, C₁₀H₈; an acene containing two fused benzene rings.

To remove (a ship, for example) from active service or use and put into protective storage.

A white crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon, C10H8, analogous to benzene, and obtained by the distillation of certain bituminous materials, such as the heavy oil of coal tar. It is the type and basis of a large number of derivatives among organic compounds. Formerly called also naphthaline.

To defer indefinitely; shelve

A white crystalline strong-smelling hydrocarbon made from coal tar or petroleum and used in organic synthesis and as a fumigant in mothballs

A small ball of chemical pesticide (typically naphthalene) and deodorant placed in or around clothing and other articles susceptible to damage from mold or moth larvae in order to protect them from this damage.

(transitive) To store or shelve something no longer used.

To stop using (something), but keep it in good condition.

A small sphere of camphor or naphthalene used to keep moths away from stored clothing.

To put into long-term storage; as, to mothball the battleships not needed after the war.

A small sphere of camphor or naphthalene used to keep moths away from stored clothing

Put into long-term storage