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Removing Skunk Odor
Deodorizing Treatment
Consider these
approaches when dealing with skunk odor:
- Remove the source of the
odor.
- Ventilate the area with
fresh air.
- Wash or apply deodorants
to the source of the odor.
- Use air fresheners to
mask residual odor in the air.
- Use laundry detergent to
remove residual odor in fabrics.
Skunk odor may
reactivate during periods of high humidity. If the odor does not decrease in a
week or two, the skunk may have re-sprayed or died on the property.
Home Remedies
Never overlook the simple act of taking a
shower and washing clothes to mitigate skunk odor. Time, air, soap and water,
and ammonia in water are recommended to remove odor from fabrics. Other
treatments include washing items with a strong soap, a heavy-duty laundry
detergent, or borax. Be sure to follow any directions that are specific to
washing a particular fabric.
A chemist by the name of
Paul Krebaum discovered a solution that chemically neutralizes skunk odor. The
ingredients for the formulation are:
1 quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (fresh
bottle)
1/4 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
1-2 teaspoons liquid dish soap.
Ingredients must be mixed in an open
container and used immediately. Never mix the ingredients in advance because
oxygen released from hydrogen peroxide may cause a closed container to explode.
The solution can be used on people or pets; avoid splashing the product in the
eyes or mouth. Allow the solution to remain on hair for five minutes before
rinsing with water. Repeat as needed. Do not use this solution on clothing — it
may discolor the fabric.
For clothing that cannot be washed or
dry-cleaned, such as shoes, suspend them outdoors, allowing fresh air to carry
away the volatile thiols. The odor will decrease over time provided the material
is not re-exposed to skunk musk. Any cleaning fluid or household chlorine bleach
also can be used to remove skunk odor from fabrics. Use these products in
separate steps — not together. Test cleansers first on an inconspicuous portion
of the fabric before applying to the entire fabric.
When deodorizing a house, don't forget to
change the air filter to the furnace/air conditioner. Sometimes it can become
contaminated with skunk odor and continue to disperse the smell throughout the
house after the initial source of the odor has been treated.
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