How to Remove a Skunk Smell
The odour of a skunk is one of the most memorable and tell tale signs of wildlife in your area. In southern Canada, that rotten eggs scent moves across roads, nature conservancy corridors, and backyards, then finds its way into homes.
At SWAT Wildlife, we realize people want straight answers: how to remove skunk odours from in or around the house, or your clothes, and what actually neutralizes skunk spray instead of just covering it. Here is what we have learned from years of dealing with these stinky critters.
How to Remove Skunk Spray Smell
Ventilate and Gauge the Damage
Open up the house. Get some air moving for more than five minutes so you can judge what you are dealing with. If the skunk smell drops as the air shifts, the spray probably landed outside and drifted in. If it stays heavy, treat it as a direct hit on siding, steps, or soil tight to the foundation. Skunk odour comes from sulfur based organic compounds that cling to building materials, fabrics, skin, and fur, so the sooner you thin the scent, the better. And yes, you can absolutely smell skunk spray from inside your house if the animal lets loose near vents or an open door.
Use a Proven Deodorizing Solution on Hard Surfaces
When you’re dealing with skunk spray on patios, walks, siding, or any solid material, you need a mix that actually breaks the compounds apart. A simple formula of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and a small amount of grease cutting dish detergent works reliably in the field.
It cuts through the oily base of the spray so you can lift the skunk odour instead of smearing it around. Put on rubber gloves, apply the solution, and rinse with clean water. If the smell still lingers, repeat the process.
Wash Fabrics, Clothes, and Your Pet Properly
Soft items tell you how far the stinky situation has spread. Move affected clothing, blankets, and other fabrics into a closed container until you can wash them. Use hot water if the label allows, with regular laundry detergent mixed with white vinegar, or regular laundry detergent alone if that is on hand, and then let the items air dry outside. This helps eliminate skunk smells from clothes and keeps them from baking into fibres.
Use a mild pet shampoo to lift surface oils, then apply a freshly mixed peroxide/baking soda/dish soap solution to neutralize the skunk compounds. Work it through the coat (avoiding the eyes) and rinse thoroughly.
Inside the house, place bowls of vinegar in an open container to help the air, and yes, boiling vinegar can soften background odour in a room, although it will not fully rid of skunk smell soaked into furniture or a car’s interior. Over the counter products and tomato juice have limited reach here; they sit on top of the problem.
Got a Skunk on Your Property? Call SWAT Wildlife!
In many cases, that stubborn skunk smell is a sign the animal has settled in, not just passed through. SWAT Wildlife offers humane skunk removal services that focus on finding how they’re getting in, guiding them out, and helping protect the structure from repeat visits. If a carcass is part of the problem, our dead animal removal and clean-up team can step in and manage that side of things as well. And if you’re also noticing activity from raccoons, squirrels, or other wildlife, our broader animal removal services are set up to handle those situations in a coordinated way.