Skunk spray is so powerful and nauseating that it scares every animal away, even bears. No one wants to deal with it. Without treatment, the smell of skunk may last for weeks. Its oily chemical structure takes a long time to break down and it clings to fabrics, skin, and hair. Regular soaps only make the situation worse. So, here’s how you can get rid of the smell of skunk in your house. If you need help getting rid of a skunk, call Skunk Control. We offer humane skunk removal in Toronto and the surrounding area.
Air out the house
First, open all your windows and turn fans on to air out the house. Point fans toward the windows so you can direct the smell out of the house. You can also use bathroom exhaust fans, kitchen fans, and the fan in your Havoc system. The more circulation, the better.
Wash clothing and fabrics
Wash all your smelly clothes and fabrics in hot water. Use regular detergent with half a cup of baking soda to help get rid of the smell. Once everything is washed, do not use the dryer. The heat of the dryer will bake the smell into your clothes. Hang everything to dry. If you can, hang the fabrics in the sunlight because UV rays help to neutralize the smell. Repeat the process as needed.
Steam clean carpets and furniture
Carpets are tricky to clean, but they house odors that can linger for weeks. Rent a steam cleaner or hire a professional to get the smell of skunk out of your carpets and upholstered furniture. Steam cleaning is also great for making your carpets look good as new.
Mop the floors
Vacuum your floors, then mop them clean with bleach. Mix one part bleach with 10 parts water for a homemade bleach solution. You can use this on tiled floors and kitchen countertops.
For wood, use a mixture of 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide, 1 tablespoon baking soda, and a drop of dish soap. Mop, then let the solution sit for a few minutes and wipe it up with a clean towel. Alternatively, you can mix baking soda and water to form a paste. Let the paste sit on the wooden surface until it has dried, then scrub it off and vacuum to remove the skunk odor.
Use sunlight
Open up your curtains to let in the sunlight. UV rays are antibacterial and help to neutralize the smell of skunk. Use the sunlight to neutralize the air as well as your clothing and rugs.
Boil a pot of vinegar
Boil a pot of vinegar for about an hour, replenishing the pot as the vinegar evaporates. The house will smell like vinegar, but it will help get rid of the smell in the air. You can also fill some bowls with vinegar and place one in each room for a few days. The vinegar will help to absorb the smell of skunk.
Wash the smell off your skin
You might smell like skunk, too. Wash your skin with dish detergent, then wash your hair with a shampoo for oily hair. If you were skunked directly, take a hot bath, and use baking soda instead of soap. Pour 2 to 4 cups of baking soda into the bath and soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse clean.
Hire a professional for skunk removal
If your house was skunked, there may be a skunk living on your property. Contact a local wildlife removal company for help. A technician can find where the animal is denning and remove it humanely. The technicians at Skunk Control would be happy to help you out. We provide safe, humane, and affordable skunk removal services. Call us for an inspection today.