Top Tips To Get Rid Of Skunk Smell

Skunks emit a foul odour when threatened. It can irritate your eyes and nose, is likely to give you a headache, and you may even vomit. More impressively, the skunk can spray as far as 20 metres and it is incredibly accurate.

Unfortunately, the smell is distinctive, unpleasant, and lingers for days or even weeks. That’s why you need to know how to eliminate the smell as fast as possible. It is also worth finding out more about your local pest control firm. Considering what skunks are capable of you don’t want to be dealing with this aroma yourself. 

The good news is that this scent is organic. The base compound is called thiol and its main ingredient is sulphur. By identifying this it is easier to find a suitable neutralizing agent. 

Hydrogen peroxide

This is probably the most effective compound at getting the skunk smell out of your clothing. However, you can’t put hydrogen peroxide directly onto your clothing, it will damage the fibres. 

You’ll need to dilute a tablespoon of it in a bottle of water. You can then spray this directly onto the clothes and leave it to soak in a hydrogen peroxide solution for at least an hour.  You can then wash them normally but without any additional soap. It helps to add ½ cup of baking soda to your washing machine. This absorbs the aroma and prevents it from sticking to your machine. 

It’s very important to air dry any affected clothes. Putting them in the dryer can simply bake the smell into the clothing making it much harder to remove.   

Dealing With Your Home

Any skunk spray that has hit the surfaces in your home will also need to be removed. The first thing you’ll need to do is open all your windows. Ventilating the house is a great way to start removing the smell.

Alongside this, place several bowls of vinegar around the house. This absorbs smells and you’ll need to leave it in place for several days.

You’ll also need to tackle any surface that has been coated by the skunk smell. Again, vinegar is your best friend. Put on some gloves to protect your hands and then place a clean cloth into the neat vinegar. You can also use diluted bleach. You’ll need to scrub every surface that has been in contact with the skunk compound.

Now is also a good time to invest in a steam cleaner. You can hire one if you prefer. Then, you can stream-clean all the soft furnishings. That’s curtains, upholstery, and carpeting. The steam will help to lift the smell, you’ll need the windows open to help remove it from the house and some air fresheners can also be useful.

Dealing With Pets

If your pet has been unlucky enough to be sprayed by a skunk keep them out of the house./ Mix a solution of equal parts water, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap. Then rinse your pet before rubbing this compound into their fur. Wear gloves and use a brush, you can always throw these away afterwards. Once you’ve finished scrubbing, rinse your pet and they should smell much better.