Getting rid of skunk smell--INSIDE the home!

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I looked over the archives, and I didn't find an answer, so I hand it to you.

Daughter and her Hubby live in a nice wooded trailer court, in mostly newlywed bliss. But they have had to sleep at their inlaws the last few days. Seems the family of skunks that like to stroll thru the park after dark chose to have a family discussion under the couple's trailer---with predictable results.

The place REEEEKs--event he clothes in the closet. It has turned COLD again, so opening the windows won't help, nor removing a section of the skirting under the trailer. Someone reccommended COOKING with tomato juice--so she is going to try that. I suggested LOTS of baking soda--sprinkle it on and let it set overnight. Daughter is pregnant, and certain smells make her sick--including the smell of Febreeze, so that is out. Any ideas???

thanks, Leann

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), February 10, 2002

Answers

Shallow bowls of white vinegar help, but having been 'there' I hate to say that the only real cure is time. Good thing they have another place to stay!

-- Kathy (catfish201@hotmail.com), February 10, 2002.

baking soda,, peroxide and dish soap,, breaks up the oil that is sticking,, use that,, then "wash" the rugs/carpetting, drapes,,ect steam cleaner rental may be inorder,, maybe a power washer with the solution added

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), February 10, 2002.

Boy, that is a toughie isn't it? We had much the same problem as my dad decided to shoot a skunk, with a 12 gauge, that had moved in under our house! DUHHH. We slept in the orchard for a week and during that time dad had to go under the house, spray with vinegar(I didn't notice it helping any) and of course clean up all the skunk remains. We washed and scrubbed everything in the house using vinegar but I think since the spray itself was on stuff underneath the house it just took time. I feel bad for your daughter and family. At least our problem was in the spring when it wasn't so cold. A call maybe to the professionals who deal with cleaning up after floods and stuff might give you some ideas. Sure hope you can help with this. LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), February 10, 2002.

You might try using a pump sprayer filled with straight bleach. Spray the ground and coat everything under the bottom side of the trailor.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), February 10, 2002.

I don't know about skunk smell, but I am vERY sensitive to mold/ mildew smell, and my car reeked after carrying around a mildewed box of canning jars for a couple days-I spread a lb of unused coffee grounds between the floors and in the trunk and the smell is gone and I can breathe without initiating an asthmatic attack- now all I have to do is vacuum up the coffee grounds-sooner or later!

-- Mitzi Giles (Egiles2@prodigy.net), February 10, 2002.


Leann:

I have two formulas for skunk deodorizer--both use peroxide and dish soap. Here is one: Quart of peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, teaspoon dish soap. Mix, spray on any surface sprayed by the skunk. Will only work if mixed fresh and used immediately. This is good for people and pets. Do not wash clothing in hot water if the clothing has been sprayed. Use calgon or borax and the cold water setting.

You may also use 1 cup bleach to gallon of water, spray on surfaces sprayed by skunk. This may take more than one application.

Nothing will work if you cannot spray the same surfaces the skunk sprayed--time will take care of those.

-- Jimmy S (Macrocarpus@gbronline.com), February 10, 2002.


There is a product called Orange Appeal here in Canada that is like a very strong orange peel extract - much like lemon oil for furniture polish. I have heard from several people that it works very well taking skunk odor off of pets, cars, porches etc. It is a concentrate and needs to be diluted before using directly on pets. Quite often the identical product in US has a different brand name. This post probably isn't going to help you much, but gives people ideas of what to look for. Good luck.

-- Bernie from Northern Ontario (bernadette_kerr@hotmail.com), February 11, 2002.

The company has a website. www.orangeapeel.com

Made in Canada - from U.S. components!!

-- Bernie from Northern Ontario (bernadette_kerr@hotmail.com), February 11, 2002.


This is the best thing to use Quart of peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, teaspoon dish soap. I have dogs sprayed by skunks and this mixture was the only thing that worked. It is impossible to get out all the smell but this would be a good start.

-- Jeff (Jeff@jeff.com), February 11, 2002.

It's not a solution to getting rid of skunk smell but this might help get rid of the skunks under the trailor I was told by my local animal control officer to spred moth balls under/in the area this should help keep them from coming back it also works for stray cats!!!!

-- jaime house (doobis@iwon.com), February 24, 2002.


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