You can get the smell from a variety of sources.You or your pet could be sprayed by a skunk outside of your house.If you don't take immediate action to remove the odors from your home, they can linger for a long time in fur, clothes, furniture, and carpeting.Start with simple solutions and work your way through different methods until you get rid of the smell.
Step 1: It's a good idea to open the windows in your home.
Natural sunlight and fresh air can help with the odor of the skunk.The smell will stay inside if you close the house up.Fresh air can enter your home if you let out some of the smell by opening your windows.Don't open windows until the smell of the spray has dissipated, if a skunk has sprayed right outside your home.Sunlight has a positive effect on smells.The odor can be mitigated with the help of the ultraviolet rays.
Step 2: Run fans to move the air.
Turn on electric ceiling fans, floor fans and desk fans to circulate the air in your home.If your heating and cooling system has a fan function, you can turn it on.If you allow the air to remain stagnant, the smell of the skunk will sink into your fabrics.It's a good idea to turn on the fans in your home as soon as possible to keep the air moving.This works well with opened windows.
Step 3: The furnace filters should be changed.
Before you treat the rest of your home, you should change out your air conditioner and heater filters.You may end up smelling skunk through your air vent for months because the smell can cling to the filters.Changing out your air filters is the only way to fix this.Before you treat the rest of your home, you should change the air filters to make sure there's no stink coming through your vents.After you clean the rest of your home, do a sniff test.You can smell the air filters.You may not need to change them again if they don't smell like skunk.If they smell like a mammal, you should replace them again to prevent the filters from re-contaminating the rest of your home.
Step 4: The spray air deodorizers can be used.
Part of the skunk smell can be masked by deodorizing air fresheners.It is a good idea to look for a spray that indicates its ability to deodorize.The majority of air fresheners emit a strong perfume that covers other odors in the home.This won't be enough to deal with the smell.Eliminating some of the smell is only possible with a deodorizing freshener.Special "de-skunking" sprays are formulated to remove the smell of skunk.People who use these sprays tend to report mixed results, but you can read reviews about different types online and determine which may be the most effective for your needs.
Step 5: Place bowls of water around the house.
If you can't find the source of the smell, fill small bowls with 1 cup of white vinegar each and place them around the house.The source of the smell in your home is most likely in the worst smelling rooms.If you have pets or small children, you may want to put the vinegar on the shelves to prevent them from spilling or eating it.The smell of vinegar should not be overpowering and it should absorb most of the smell within 24 hours.
Step 6: Put a thin layer of odor removal on your carpet.
The products are usually applied directly to the carpet.The cleaner should stay on the carpet for at least a half hour.The product will absorb the smell.Most big box, grocery, and home improvement stores have products.The product should be spread thinly across the carpet.To absorb the smell, you don't need a ton.
Step 7: The cleaner needs to be removed from the carpet.
If the cleaner has been on the carpet for at least a half hour, you can simply vacuum it up.You should vacuum the surface several times to remove odors.After vacuuming up the odor, you should clean out your vacuum bag and vacuum filter.
Step 8: If the smell persists, wash your carpets with a steam cleaner.
Carpets and other hard-to-wash fabrics should be washed using a wet vacuum.The heat from the steam cleaner helps to open and expand the stitching of the fabric.This will allow the detergent to sink in more and eliminate the smell.An ordinary wet vacuum is still better than nothing.In order to prevent the smell from sinking in, the carpet should be washed within 1 or 2 hours of initial contamination.
Step 9: There is a solution to wash fabrics.
In a bucket, mix 1 part vinegar with 5 parts warm water.Depending on how much you need to clean, the precise amount will be determined.This solution is for clothes, blankets, towels, and other fabrics that can be washed in a washing machine.Synthetic fabrics and delicate fabrics may not hold up well in acidic environments.
Step 10: A weak solution of hydrogen peroxide is an alternative.
6 parts warm water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide.The solution is safe to use.How much you need to clean will affect the amount you make.The stronger hydrogen peroxide solution used to clean pets and people is not recommended for fabrics.It is safe to use hydrogen peroxide on normal fabrics if it isDiluted with water.Don't use this solution on delicate fabrics or "dry clean only" clothes.
Step 11: The fabrics should be soaked in the solution.
Take your clothes and other fabrics and put them in a container.Allow them to soak for 2 to 3 hours.After dipping the fabric into the solution, gently scrub it with your hands.The liquid in between the fibers of the fabric allows it to penetrate further and smell better.You might want to soak pillow covers, slipcovers, curtains, and blankets, as well as any other fabrics that have the smell of skunk on them.
Step 12: After the fabrics have soaked, wash them in a washing machine.
After removing your fabrics from the cleaning solution, wash them in a warm wash cycle.Baking soda can be added to the washing machine at the beginning of the wash cycle.It is possible to dry the fabrics in the sun.If you want to get rid of the smell, the fresh air is better than drying in the dryer.
Step 13: The bleach should beDiluted with water.
Combine 1 cup of bleach with a gallon of warm water.A utility bucket is a good place to put it.When working with bleach, it is best to avoid using other chemicals or cleaners, since many will have a chemical reaction with the bleach that may produce a toxic gas.The room should be well-ventilated by opening windows and doors.Do not use bleach in a closed room.
Step 14: This solution can be used to scrub hard surfaces.
If you want to wash kitchen floors, counters, car tires, decks, or other contaminated hard surfaces, you can use a scrubbing brush.Do not use this solution on carpets, upholstery, or other fabrics since bleach is bad for fabrics.Don't use this solution on clothes.According to the label directions, you can add bleach to whites, but darker colors should not be bleached.As you work with the bleach solution, you may want to wear rubber cleaning gloves to protect your hands.
Step 15: Continue as needed.
Put the rag in the water and wash it off.If you want to remove the smell from your surfaces, you have to repeat the process.After finishing, wash the surfaces with a dry cloth.
Step 16: There is a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and soap.
Combine 1 quart (1 liter) hydrogen peroxide, 1/2 cup (45 grams) of baking soda, and a small amount of liquid laundry detergent or dish detergent.The ingredients can be put in an open container.If possible, use 3 percent hydrogen peroxide.After mixing the ingredients, don't close the container.There could be enough pressure to pop off a lid if the gas builds up.You may need to make more of the solution for a bigger dog or human.Do not store it.As soon as you mix it together, use it.
Step 17: The area that was Saturate was the skunked area.
You can use the solution that you made.The solution should be used to cover the fur and skin until it is dripping wet.The solution is safe for both pets and humans, but you should not put it in your eyes, ears, or mouths.It can sting and damage sensitive areas.
Step 18: The solution should be used to scrub the area.
The solution can be used to scrub the pet or human.Even if your pets have thick fur, make sure you get down to the skin on them.If you want to eliminate the smell, let it sit for 5 minutes.If it is done within an hour or two, it will work.
Step 19: The area should be washed with clean water.
Fresh water can be used to remove the solution from the skin or fur.Ensure that all of the solution is gone by rinsing the area several times.When you can no longer smell the skunk, repeat the soaking, scrubbing, and rinsing.