Camphor blocks are small white tablets with a sharp medicinal smell, sold in supermarkets and general dealers. They are used to repel moths and insects from stored clothing, to freshen cupboards and drawers, and in some households for spiritual and ceremonial purposes. They are toxic if swallowed, particularly by children.
What is Camphor Blocks?
Camphor blocks are compressed tablets that sublime — they turn straight from solid to vapour without melting. That vapour produces the smell and the repellent effect, and it is why a block slowly shrinks and disappears. Camphor was traditionally extracted from the camphor laurel tree and is now mostly synthetic.
Not everything sold in this shape is camphor. Mothballs are commonly made from naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene instead, and the three look almost identical — small white balls or blocks in a similar packet. They behave similarly as repellents and differ in their hazards.
Read the packet. If it does not name the active substance, treat it as unknown, and keep it well away from children regardless.
Camphor blocks are a household product, not a medicine. Camphor does appear as an ingredient in some registered chest rubs and inhalations, but a block sold for cupboards is not a medicinal product and should not be used as one.
What is Camphor Blocks commonly used for?
- Repelling clothes moths from stored woollens, blankets and formal clothing.
- Deterring silverfish, fishmoths and other insects in cupboards, drawers and linen presses.
- Keeping stored fabric fresh and discouraging musty smells.
- Protecting stored books, papers and photographs from insect damage.
- Spiritual, ceremonial and traditional use. Camphor is burned or placed in the home in a number of religious and cultural practices, and this is a common reason people buy it in South Africa. The safety guidance below applies whatever the purpose — camphor vapour and camphor swallowed behave the same way regardless of why it is in the room.
What they do not do is kill an established moth infestation. They repel, and only where vapour concentrates in a closed space — infested clothing needs washing, dry cleaning or freezing, and blocks in an open room do very little.
Common household applications
- Wardrobes and clothing storage, in a closed cupboard, sealed bag or box.
- Blanket chests, linen cupboards and drawers holding seasonal or seldom-worn items.
- Storage boxes and suitcases, and book and document storage.
- Under sinks and in back cupboards, to discourage insects.
The effect depends entirely on enclosure. Vapour must build up to work — which happens in a closed drawer or sealed box, and not in a ventilated room.
How to use Camphor Blocks appropriately
- Use them in closed containers, not in open rooms. A sealed bag or box works far better than a wardrobe with a gap under the door, and keeps the vapour away from people.
- Do not let blocks touch fabric directly. Wrap them in tissue or cloth, or use a hanging holder — direct contact can leave marks, and camphor can damage some plastics, buttons and synthetic fibres.
- Store clothing clean. Moths are drawn to sweat and body oils; washing before storage does more than any repellent.
- Air clothing thoroughly before wearing it, and ventilate cupboards after storage. The smell clings and can irritate skin and airways.
- Keep them out of reach of children and pets — locked away rather than in a low drawer. This matters more than any other instruction on this page.
- Never use them near food, in a fridge, in a baby’s room, or with infant clothing or bedding.
- Wash your hands after handling them, and keep the packet sealed.
Safety, surfaces and situations to avoid
Camphor is toxic if swallowed, and children are the main risk. A block looks like a sweet. Swallowing camphor can cause vomiting, agitation and — quickly, sometimes within minutes to an hour — seizures. This is a genuine emergency, not a wait-and-see situation.
If a child swallows or may have swallowed a camphor block, or any mothball, get emergency medical help immediately. Take the packet with you. Do not try to make them vomit. The same applies to pets.
Other cautions:
- Ventilation. Prolonged exposure to the vapour in a closed space causes headache, nausea, dizziness and airway irritation, and can trigger asthma. Open a window if camphor is burned or kept in a room.
- Pregnancy and infants. Avoid heavy exposure, and do not use these products around babies.
- Skin contact. Camphor irritates skin. Do not apply blocks or residue to the body.
- Naphthalene mothballs carry a specific extra risk. In people with G6PD deficiency — an inherited condition that is not rare in some South African communities — naphthalene exposure can trigger destruction of red blood cells. Naphthalene exposure has also caused this in newborns wearing clothing stored with mothballs. This is one of the strongest reasons to know which product you have, and never to store infant clothing with them.
- Fire. Camphor is flammable. Keep it away from heat and open flame, and if it is burned ceremonially, use a stable non-flammable holder, never unattended and never near curtains or bedding.
- Surfaces. Camphor can damage some plastics, varnished surfaces, vinyl and synthetic fabrics. Do not place blocks directly on them.
For other household staples, see the general household products hub.
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Frequently asked questions
What are camphor blocks used for? Repelling moths and insects from stored clothing, linen and books, freshening cupboards and drawers, and — in many households — spiritual and ceremonial use.
What are camphor blocks used for spiritually? Camphor is burned or placed in the home in several religious and cultural traditions. The safety points apply either way: ventilate the space, never leave burning camphor unattended, and keep blocks away from children.
Are camphor blocks the same as mothballs? Not necessarily. Many mothballs contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene instead. They look alike, so check the packet.
What do I do if a child swallows one? Get emergency medical help immediately and take the packet with you. Do not try to make them vomit.
Do they kill moths? No. They repel insects where the vapour is concentrated in a closed space. An existing infestation needs washing, dry cleaning or freezing.
Why do my clothes still smell? Camphor vapour is absorbed by fabric. Air items thoroughly, and wash them if the smell persists before wearing.