Removing Skunk Smell: A Three-Step Process
Skunk smell is very strong and unpleasant for anyone nearby. If a skunk sprays near—or worse, in—your home, it can be almost impossible to eliminate. Fortunately, it is not impossible and all you need is a bit of patience and some cleaning supplies.
Here is a three-step process for removing the smell of skunk in your home:
1. Fresh Air is Your Best Friend
The first thing you should do is open up all of your windows. The fresh air and sunlight will help to neutralize the odor. If you have a screen door, open that, too.
If possible, run all of the fans in your house: ceiling fans, stand-up fans, window fans—anything works. The fans will help to increase the airflow in your home, which will take the smelly air out and bring clean air in.
You should also change out your air filters in your air conditioner and heating units. If you do not replace them—or at the very least, clean them out—the skunk smell will linger in the filters and your home will continue to smell like skunk.
2. Clean Up Your Home
The next thing you should do is clean up your home. Start by shampooing any washable fabrics in your home: carpeting, bedding, curtains, clothing, etc. A steam cleaner works well for removing any skunk smell in the flooring and carpet; just be sure to use a pet odor formula.
For clothing and bedding, toss it into the washing machine with 1/2-cup of baking soda. The baking soda will help to neutralize and eliminate any unpleasant odors left on your clothing and/or bedding. If one wash isn’t enough, wash your stuff twice. When finished, let it air dry in the sun or toss into the dyer with 2-3 dryer sheets.
To get the smell out, try to wash all clothing and bedding within 2 hours. After 2 hours, the smell may begin to set into the fabrics and it will be much harder to remove. So move quickly.
3. Wash Yourself and Any Pets
Finally, take a moment to wash yourself and any pets that have been exposed to the smell. For humans, wash with a mixture of 1 quart 3-percent hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1-teaspoon dish soap. This mixture is strong, but it’s effective at removing strong and unpleasant smells.
For animals, use the same mixture and a damp washcloth. Do not wet the animal’s fur first, as the skunk spray is oil-based. Instead, apply the mixture with the damp washcloth to dry fur. Once the animal has been scrubbed, rinse with clean, warm water.
If a skunk has invaded your home and you are using these steps to get rid of the smell, consider calling a skunk removal professional. It is likely that your home is being used a “home base” for the pest and they may return. To learn more, contact a company like Animal Control Specialists Inc. with any questions or concerns you have.
