How to Get Skunk Smell Out of Furniture

Skunks have to have one of the best natural defence mechanisms in the natural kingdom. One whiff of that rotten stench, and everyone stays away. The smell will carry for miles, and it will attach to multiple items in its path as it travels. There will be no mistaking the fact that a skunk has visited your neighborhood. The stench is a dead giveaway. You will be tempted to hold your nose once you catch a whiff of this particularly pungent aroma. It’s difficult to describe, but once you have smelled it, you will certainly never forget it.

 

One way that skunk scent can make its way onto your stuff is if a beloved pet gets sprayed and makes his or her way home. If you don’t catch Fluffy or Fido before they get the chance to rub up or lie on your furniture, you will have Eau de Skunk all over it. Once the smell has been transferred to the fabric, it will be challenging to get it out. Your outdoor furniture can also be a target for skunk stank. Since this is an oil based type of reek, putting water on it isn’t going to be an effective way to get the smell out. We have some effective solutions to help you deal with this problem. Keep reading for helpful suggestions to get rid of the skunk issue and help you be able to take a deep breath near the affected furniture again.
 

 

How to Get Skunk Smell Out of Furniture

1 Arm & Hammer Carpet Powder Smell Out

Grab some heavy duty Arm & Hammer carpet powder. Sprinkle at least half a box of the product on the stinky furniture. The baking powder in the product will pull the skunk oil out of the furniture and get rid of the stank. Vacuum it up. You will need to repeat the process several times a week until all of the stink is gone.

 

2 Bleach it Out

If your outdoor furniture has gotten sprayed by Pepe Le Pew, wash it down with bleach. Mix one part bleach with nine parts water. This concentration will work well on most patio furniture. Choose colour-safe bleach to avoid damaging colored furniture and always try a test patch in an unobtrusive spot before you clean the entire piece.

 

3 Use Dry Cleaning Solution

You can find dry cleaning solution in the laundry aisle at Wal-Mart or in a hardware store. Apply the solvent to the furniture with a clean, white cloth. Make sure the room you are working in is well ventilated. Blot any excess liquid from the furniture with a second cloth. Allow the furniture to air dry.

 

4 Peroxide-Baking Soda-Dish Soap Recipe

Cook up your own home-made solution to the problem of skunk smell with a few items you may already have around the house. Pour a quart of hydrogen peroxide (3 percent grade) into a bucket. Add one Tablespoon of baking soda and a squirt of non-toxic dish detergent. Scrub down your furniture with a clean rag or old wash cloth. Rinse with a second cloth that has been wrung out in warm water.

 

5 Spray Down the Fabric

As soon as you notice, the skunk stink, grab some fabric spray and give your furniture a good misting. Even if it hasn’t come directly into contact with the skunk, it is possible for the smell to travel throughout your home and attach to the furniture, carpet, and walls. Be proactive and grab Febreze or a similar product and freshen up your furniture right away.

 
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Photo credit: Robert Bieber