Summary

  • Clean with vinegar to neutralize the skunk smell fast.
  • Peppermint oil eliminates the skunk odor effectively.
  • Promote airflow by opening doors and windows to remove the stench.

Skunks are small mammals known for their distinct black and white colors and ability to deter predators or mark their territory with a foul-smelling spray. They are found in every corner of the US, so you should not be surprised when you see one in your backyard. They are valuable members of the ecosystem, as they control insect populations.

On the downside, these small mammals can wreak havoc in your house with a skunk odor that doesn't seem to go away. The strong and musky odor can quickly make your home uncomfortable. That's why you should learn how to get the skunk smell out of your house. Luckily, there are a few practical ways to eliminate the stench.

1 Clean Your House with Vinegar

A natural disinfectant can restore your scent immediately

white vinegar in a bowl
Vinegar in a bowl and bottle
Image credits: NatureFriend via Pixabay

Do you know how to get skunk smell out of your house? It's common for individuals to open their windows and doors, hoping to get rid of the smell. Others consider scented candles a quick way of making their homes comfortable after a nasty spray. However, many of these standard approaches don't deliver the expected results when it comes to skunks.

A simple way to eliminate the foul odor in your home is to clean it with vinegar solution. Vinegar is a powerful natural disinfectant that will neutralize the foul smell quickly and effectively. However, there are several steps you need to follow to make your home comfortable after skunk spray.

Steps

What To Do

1

Wear protective gear such as gloves and old clothes that you don't mind getting smelly and dirty.

2

Prepare a solution of equal parts vinegar and water for a balanced solution.

3

Add the solution to a spray bottle and apply it to the affected areas of your house.

4

Allow the vinegar solution to sit on the affected area for about 15 minutes to give enough time for the vinegar to neutralize the stinky odor.

5

Rinse the affected area thoroughly with clean water to completely remove the vinegar and skunk odor.

6

Use a cloth to dry the area to prevent mold and mildew.

7

Repeat the process if the foul smell persists.

2 Try Peppermint Solution

Peppermint oil is a homemade solution that neutralizes the smell

An image of peppermint oil in a bottle
Peppermint oil in a bottle.
Image credits: silviarita via Pixabay

Have skunks sprayed your home? The last thing you would want is the gas-like smell lingering in and around your home for several days.

  • But before you turn to heavy-duty commercial cleaners, a simple homemade solution, such as peppermint, can restore your usual smell in no time.
  • Peppermint oil is a natural neutralizer that will neutralize the skunk smell, leaving your house smelling minty.
  • However, you need to learn how to get skunk smell out of your house using peppermint oil.

Steps

What To Do

1

Mix two to three drops of pure peppermint oil with water to help dilute the peppermint oil and prevent possible skin irritation.

2

Use a spray bottle to apply peppermint solution directly to the affected areas.

3

Open your windows and doors to allow fresh, clean air to eliminate the skunk smell and peppermint scent.

4

Spray the affected areas again, especially if the skunk odor doesn't disappear. You may need to repeat this until the smell dissipates.

Tomato sauce, oatmeal, and beer can help mask the smelly odor for a time, but they do not eliminate the stinking spray because they are not oxidizing products.

3 Promote Airflow Inside Your House

Allow the foul smell to leave your house naturally

An image of a skunk in a backyard garden
Skunk in the yard
Image credits: LenigG via Pixabay

If you don't have vinegar, baking soda, or any commercial foul-smell remover, promote airflow by opening doors and windows to eliminate the skunk smell.

  • Allowing air in your home will help dissipate the gas and make the house bearable.
  • Also, you should run your central air system and set your fans to their highest setting.
  • Opening windows and doors will also let in sunlight, which can help oxidize the foul odor.
  • Remember to vacuum your house and replace air filters to remove any lingering smells.

Skunks release a concentrated spray that may take several hours to remove, especially when allowing it to naturally leave your house through airflow.

4 Hydrogen Peroxide Solution Oxidizes Foul Odor

A safe, homemade solution that can restore freshness to your living space

hydrogen peroxide
Bottle of peroxide
Image credits: Jesse Franks via Shutterstock

Getting rid of the skunk odor in your home is critical for your comfort. The longer the foul odor remains around, the more it becomes unbearable. It spreads in various rooms while sticking to clothes, furniture, and carpets, worsening the situation.

However, according to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, there are creative methods of removing the stinky smell from your house. If skunks have sprayed your home, learning how to get skunk smell out of house can lead to a welcome method of restoring freshness to your living areas.

Steps

What To Do

1

Prepare a hydrogen peroxide solution by mixing one quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, 1 teaspoon of liquid detergent, and ¼ cu baking soda.

2

Apply this solution to the affected area, such as walls, furniture, and clothing.

3

Let it sit for about fifteen minutes. Allowing it to sit allows hydrogen peroxide to oxidize the smell and leave a fresh odor in your rooms.

4

Rinse the affected areas with clean water and allow them to dry for a fresh feel back into your house.

Any contact with hydrogen peroxide solution can irritate your skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Ensure you wear protective clothing such as gloves, goggles, and other personal protective equipment to avoid contact.

5 Using Baking Soda

Baking soda absorbs foul smells

Baking soda in a jar with a spoon on a wooden table
Jar of baking soda
Image credits: Maderla via Shutterstock

Are you still struggling with creative ways of removing unbearable smells in your house? If you don't know how to get skunk smell out of your house, you can consider using baking soda to absorb skunk oil.

  • Usually, skunks release pungent oil that will likely make your eyes water.
  • It's not something that you can just wash away with cold water.
  • Creative approaches such as using baking soda can help absorb the pungent smell.

Steps

What To Do

1

Use your hands to sprinkle baking soda around the affected areas of your house.

2

Allow baking soda to stay in the affected areas for about 30 minutes. Baking soda absorbs much of the smell of particles lingering in the air.

3

You may need to reapply baking soda more than once, but it will eventually absorb all the odor.

6 Steam Cleaning Removes Skunk Smell

A practical approach to removing the lingering skunk odor

steaming carpets
Carpet steamer
Image credits: whitejellybeans via Shutterstock

Skunks release a strong oil spray containing thiols, sulfur-containing compounds that bind strongly on surfaces. Homemade methods such as baking soda, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide may not completely remove the foul smell.

Steam cleaning can help remove the lingering smell, especially on surfaces like:

  • Curtains
  • Upholstery
  • Carpets

Steam ensures that the complex odor compounds are broken while removing the smell traces in hard-to-reach areas. However, for this to work, there are a few steps you should follow.

Steps

What To Do

1

Ventilate your room to allow fresh air to circulate while removing all the items directly sprayed by the skunk.

2

Use a vacuum cleaner to remove oil residue and other debris in the affected area.

3

Add a cleaning solution such as soap to your steam cleaner to enhance its effectiveness.

4

Steam-clean your upholstery, furniture, carpets, and curtains to remove all the traces of skunk oil on such surfaces.

Get Rid of Skunk Odor and Restore Freshness in Your Home

There are inexpensive and homemade strategies that can help you remove the skunk smell within a short period.

Skunks are essential mammals, as they contribute to a balanced ecosystem. However, their spray is not something you want near your house because it's unbearable. You don't have to panic when a skunk sprays your house.

There are inexpensive and homemade strategies that can help you remove the skunk smell within a short period.