How to Remove the Skunk Smell From Outside Your Home

A skunk smell is actually a defense mechanism.

Most people realize that skunks have a very distinct and particularly awful smell. This small mammal uses glands to spray an oily, foul liquid as a defense mechanism when frightened or threatened. If you were unfortunate enough to have a skunk spray on your property, you will no doubt be left with a very unpleasant smell which several techniques can remove.

Things You'll Need

• Container
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Baking soda
• Liquid detergent
• Spray bottle
• Water
• Laundry bleach
• Fogging deodorant

Instructions

1. Fill a container with deodorizing ingredients, including one qt.of hydrogen peroxide, ¼ of a cup of baking soda and about a tsp. of liquid detergent. Stir.

2. Pour the deodorizing solution into a spray bottle and immediately spray down the area outside your home that smells of skunk. Discard what you don't spray. It will not be effective against a skunk smell if it sits.

3. Wait a day or two and smell the area outside your home. Remember that humidity can reactivate the smell, so if possible, wait until a humid day. If you can still smell skunk, continue.

4. Mix together 1 cup of laundry bleach for every gallon of water. Rinse out your spray bottle and pour in the solution.

5. Spray this area outside your home. Be careful with fabrics that might be damaged by the bleach. Thoroughly spray all inanimate objects.

6. Use a fogging deodorant if you can still smell skunk after a few days. You can buy the fogging deodorant in home improvement and hardware stores. You will need about 16 oz. of deodorizer for every 1,500 square feet of space.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not move any objects outside your home that have a skunk smell to a new location. This will spread the smell.

References

• NC State University Cooperative Extension: How can I get rid of skunk smell?