How to Get Rid of Skunk Odor in Concrete

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Things You'll Need

  • Unused coffee grounds

  • Baking soda

  • Bleach

  • Funnel

  • Industrial spray bottle

  • Broom

Getting sprayed by a skunk leaves a strong and sickening stench that just doesn't go away. Skunks are not limited to spraying your pets and garden, either. They can also wreak havoc on concrete. Concrete is heavy duty, but it is also porous, which means the skunk oils can permeate it. That can leave you with one stinky garage, driveway or patio if a skunk decides to spray on concrete. Rather than move, you can use a few easy-to-obtain items and lots of patience to absorb the oils, then rinse away the stench.

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Step 1

Clean off the area to be treated. Sweep the concrete clear of any dust, debris, litter and other detritus. Rinse down with a hose to clear off any additional dust and to dampen the concrete.

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Step 2

Absorb the odors. Get enough cheap coffee grounds to cover the area for two applications. Get the same amount of baking soda. Sprinkle a generous layer of coffee grounds on top of the concrete. Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda on top of the grounds. Leave the mixture on top of the concrete for two days to work its magic.

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Step 3

Sweep and repeat. Use a broom to sweep off the coffee ground and baking soda mixture. Sweep it into a dust pan and discard. Once the concrete is cleared off, repeat the coffee ground and baking soda sprinkling, then wait an additional two days.

Step 4

Sweep the concrete clear once again, making it ready for the final step. Hose off any caked-on coffee grounds and baking soda, if necessary.

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Step 5

Apply bleach. Use a funnel to fill an industrial spray bottle (available at hardware stores) with undiluted bleach. Spray down the affected concrete with the bleach, soaking it as much as possible. Do not rinse. Allow it to dry on its own to further purge the odor.

Tip

You don’t need gourmet coffee grounds for this process. Your concrete doesn’t care if it gets the bargain brand. Shop for cheap coffee grounds at dollar stores, grocery outlets or during sales at supermarkets. If the affected concrete area is in a particularly windy or rainy area, you can cover the coffee grounds and baking soda mixture with plastic drop cloths. They are available in the painting section of hardware and home stores. Secure the cloth with rocks or other heavy objects over the area to prevent the coffee grounds and baking soda from getting blown off or washed away.

Warning

If the affected concrete area is inside a garage or another enclosed area, make sure to ventilate well when you saturate the concrete with bleach.

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