Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500031
06/24/03
Removing Skunk Odors
You will need to break down or dissolve the oil in
skunk scent.
Inside house:
1. wash affected wall, floor, etc. areas with water
containing either chlorine bleach or vinegar (acetic
acid) or
2. Use a commercial odor-removing compound such as:
1) "Skunk-off" aerosol; get through Vet Clinic, or
catalog of dog supplies through dog kennel or pet shop.
2) "Nil-Odor" made by Dow Chemical; follow
directions and put couple drops in water, and put on
furnace filter to circulate air through; can put on dogs
as directed.
3) "Odor-Away" either liquid (use few drops) or
aerosol.
4) Rexall "C-D Deodorant" aerosol, can spray
furnishings, drapes, etc.
These odor-removers act to break down the oil and so
remove the odor or neutralize it.
3. Spraying with aerosol or putting drops around will
neutralize odor in air generally; may still smell for
awhile as you put nose right down in drapes, carpets,
etc. but will gradually dissipate.
Outside house--on bare wood, concrete, soil:
Get chlorinated lime water at drug store, or mix 1 cup
agricultural lime in 1 gallon chlorine bleach and put on
areas. BE VERY CAREFUL TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS - don't get
on skin, clothing, etc as it will burn (is a caustic
solution), and will also burn grass or other vegetation.
On clothes--Launder in cool or barely lukewarm water
with lots of heavy, built laundry detergent, plus a
degreaser and some water conditioner (like Calgon) if
water is hard. Don't use very warm or hot water as oil
will be released in steam and odor will come up out of
tub.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus, with references from Mary Ellen
Delsipee, and Isabel Jones, previous Extension
specialists.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
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Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .