My 2 labs were sprayed by a skunk 3 days ago and my entire house and everything in it smells like skunk. My father-in-law is coming for a visit in less than a week and I don't know how to get rid of this smell. Clothes, coats, purses, book bags. Are all of these things ruined?
Shelly from Worden, Illinois
Febreze works well in the house for skunk odor. It may need a repeat spraying. Wiping a pet's face with vinegar water helps remove skunk odor. (03/01/2008)
By Joan
Skunk spray contains an oil which is why it clings so well to whatever it touches. Washing items in a combination of soap and vinegar wter usually does a good job, then air dried. (03/01/2008)
By Joan
Thanks for the helpful hints. Two suggestions:
The Hydorgen Peroxide-Dawn-baking soda works well; and also place bowls of coffee grounds - unused is better but used is ok. The coffee grounds absorb the smell. Better to have your house smell like Starbucks than skunk. (03/01/2008)
By Louise
4:00 this morning I awoke to a horrendous odor. A skunk must have sprayed outside my open bedroom window. I tried burning candles, but worried that if I fell aspleep again the house would burn down. And if you burn incense, make sure it isn't under a smoke alarm, or being tired and cranky will be the least of your problems. I have vinegar boiling on the stove, and a baking pan of coffee grounds in the oven. 5 minutes, all gone. And I used the yucky old flavored coffee that everyone gives me as gifts (that I abhor!) so it smells like Chocolate and Coffee. Yummy. (03/07/2008)
By Susan
This is the second time it's happened to us at 2-4:00 am and must I say, I never wanted to smell that awful, gag reflex smell again, and I'm sure neither did our Austrian Shepherd, Duke, although this time he wasn't just curious, he was doing his duty to protect us, and the bag of trash outside. This time wasn't as bad for him because he must have realized his error at the last second and turned, because this time instead of receiving the blessing in the eye, he got it on the tail end.
Immediately we went into De-skunking mode. Duke ran to the tub, and my husband starting getting the supplies, the vinegar, the shampoo, and the baking soda. As I deskunked Duke, he worked with carpet supplies on the carpet, lit candles, and put vinegar and coffee grounds in EVERY ROOM. This does work although it does take up to a week depending on how bad your animal and house were penetrated. A
COUPLE MORE TIPS-- I found the last time that using Hazelnut Popourri helps to highlight the coffee smell in a little more appealing way, as well as, using fabric sheets in your furnace heat vents. Every single one of them, will put off a wonderful fragrance when your furnace runs, and they are made for heat because you use them in the dryer. So if you have floor vents just pick your favorite fragrance, and put 1-2 between the floor and the vent, this definitely helps deodorize from the skunk, the coffee, and the vinegar.
It makes me literally sick thinking about it. One more thing that helped me was chewing gum or a cough drop the night of, because after you've been that close to the natural oil of a skunk, you have it, in every pore, every sinus crevis, every taste bud, and it's there for a couple of days, unless you take action, and the action I took, was using a strong cough drop w/ vapors to help cleanse my sinuses, and mouth, as well as a strong flavored gum. Good Luck, and God Bless, (don't think I haven't questioned God on "Why Skunks anyway, Lord?") (03/15/2008)
By Michele, OH
We had a a skunk attach last night and after reviewing all the web info we ended up using a mixture of mouthwash and laundry detergent. Threw in a bit of vinegar right on the spot where she was hit, used an oatmeal dog shampoo with a touch of my eucalyptus oil & dried her. Smelling the spot this a.m. you cannot tell there was ever an incident. (03/20/2008)
By Nancy
Thank God for this site! Just came home from a rare evening out with the hubby (3 have three little kids) and as soon as we pulled into the driveway I could smell it. Then came in the house and the smell was worse! The babysitter let the dog in after he got sprayed! His bed is in our room so of course that is the worst of the whole house. This happened one other time at our old house and it was miserable!
By Shannon
The Peroxide/Baking Soda/Detergent recipe works great on dog, our family has been using it for over 10 years, BUT, after the last attack I am having difficulties getting the oil/smell out of the carpet. The smell in the house has lessened after putting baking soda on the carpet. Any ideas on how to extract the smell totally from the carpet? (06/27/2008)
By Sharon
Thank you all! This site just saved my sanity! It is 3:00am...four hours ago our dog took several steps outside and met a skunk head on. He was skunked full face...Riley was frothing at the mouth, eyes almost shut. We were able to grab him as he tried to barrel back into the house so he only got two feet into the back entry, but the skunk was directly under the kitchen and bedroom windows (all wide open of course) and the dog was left in the garage, so like many of you, I am dealing with the dog and the house...called Emergency Vet...she had us rinse his eyes with contact saline solution. She also suggested peroxide bath, it does work (thank goodness for 24 hour Walgreens)! The dog is in better shape than the house. Thank you for all your tips! The house at the moment, is bearable. I have vinegar and cinnamon, candles, cofee grounds all at work. Have also put out bowls of vinegar and baking soda. We will see what the morning brings! (06/27/2008)
By deb
Ok, I posted before and now I am again to say that the peroxide/baking soda/dishwashing detergent bath really works! I will say that if you have a bigger dog, do a double recipe. Our dog is 75+ lbs and it took 2 baths and then another dose right on the chest where he got hit and now he is happily back in the house with the family. Still working to get rid of the smell in the house by where the attack took place. (06/28/2008)
By Shannon.
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