How to Get Rid of a Skunk Smell in the House

Skunk odor is not easy to get rid of. The spray that skunks emit is a combination of sulfurous chemical oils that protect the animal from predators. It can become trapped in fabrics, carpets and upholstery. To effectively get rid of the skunk smell in your home, you must neutralize the odor sooner rather than later. Pets or people that have been sprayed by a skunk can bring the smell into the home and make it difficult to get rid of. You can take specific measures to effectively get rid of the skunk smell inside of the home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bucket
• Dish soap
• Bottle of peroxide
• Chlorine bleach
• Laundry detergent
• Spray bottle
• Fabric deodorizer
• White vinegar
• 1/4 baking soda
• New furnace filter
• Steam cleaner (optional)
• Ozone machine (optional)

1. Open as many windows and doors as possible to let the smell escape and allow fresh air to come into the home.

2. Wash any clothes, animals, surfaces and even people that may have been sprayed by a skunk. The quicker you get the spray off, the less likely the smell will linger in your house.

3. Use a cup of white vinegar in your washer to wash clothes. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and randomly spray around your house. This will help counteract the natural oil found in a skunks spray.

4. Wash any animals that are inside the home that have been sprayed. Combine into a bucket ¼ cup of baking soda with a full bottle of peroxide and a few drops of dish soap. Work the mixture through the animal's fur, then rinse. Do this several times.

5. Spray furniture, carpets and fabrics with a deodorizer such as Febreeze. You can also purchase a spray specifically for removing skunk odor from fabrics at most home improvement stores.

6. Use bleach and water to clean any surfaces that can tolerate bleach. Bleach is toxic, so do not use it on animals or people. Do not use it on fabrics or colored clothing as it will take the color out.

7. Steam clean carpets and upholstery if the smell is not removed with the more simple remedies listed above. If your pet was sprayed, you may also need to take it to the vet for a prescription-strength bath.

8. Rent an ozone machine from a local rental store. These machines are not cheap to rent, often costing upwards of $500, but they are quite effective in removing the skunk smell. All living creatures will have to be removed from the home. This machine removes the oxygen in the house, so it will also kill anything living inside of the house. You typically will need to stay out of the home for at least four hours.

9. Change the filter on your furnace. This will prevent any trapped smells from recirculating throughout your home.

References

• How to Get Skunk Smell out of Your House
• Get Rid of Skunk Smell