Conquer Lingering Skunk Odors With A Simple Household Solution You Can DIY

A skunk's spray is the kind of pungent stench that seeps into carpets, clings to furniture, and seems to follow you from room to room. Once it's inside, it can turn your home into a place you don't want to be in. Air fresheners only mix with the smell, cleaning sprays barely touch it, and leaving windows open just gives you a draft with no relief. If you've already tried the obvious fixes and the odor still lingers, you know how maddening it can be.

But you don't need expensive specialty products or a professional clean-up crew to make it disappear. There are two household staples you probably already own that can rid you of skunk smell for good: white vinegar and baking soda. They are safe, inexpensive, and easy to use. These ingredients can be used separately or in tandem for more odor-eliminating power. Here's exactly how to put them to work so you can reclaim your home from even the most stubborn skunk odors.

To make a DIY vinegar cleaning solution, mix equal parts white vinegar and water, then pour it into a spray bottle. For stubborn odors, skip the water and use undiluted vinegar. Spray the solution directly on to the smelly surface and let it sit for about an hour. This gives the vinegar time to neutralize the skunky stench. Afterward, wipe everything down with a clean cloth. If you're still catching a whiff, just repeat the process until the smell is gone.

For a low-effort fix, place bowls of baking soda around the smelly areas. This easy baking soda hack is often used to banish odors naturally. It works like an odor sponge, pulling the smell out of the air. If certain spots are the main culprits, mix baking soda with a bit of water to make a paste. Apply it directly to the area, let it sit, then wipe clean. For an even stronger deodorizing solution, combine one quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide with one to two teaspoons of liquid dish soap and a quarter cup of baking soda. Stir the mixture gently in an open bottle and use immediately (don't use a spray bottle, since it can build up pressure and explode). Apply it to the affected areas, let it sit for five to ten minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with water. With these simple tricks, you'll be able to eliminate skunk smells without having to call in a professional.

Skunk odor is caused by thiols which are oily, sulfur-based compounds with a sharp, unpleasant scent. Because they're oily, a quick wash with soap and water won't do much. Vinegar, on the other hand, is acidic, and that acidity breaks down the thiols, changing their chemical structure so the odor becomes far less pungent. Instead of just covering the smell, it neutralizes it at the source. 

Baking soda works as a natural deodorizer and a mild abrasive, which means it can absorb and scrub away odor molecules. What makes baking soda so versatile is its ability to neutralize both acidic and basic smells. When combined with liquid soap and hydrogen peroxide, baking soda doesn't just reduce the skunk scent, it also helps break down the thiols completely, leaving the area truly odor-free. Both vinegar and baking soda are strong enough to break down odors by themselves, but when used side-by-side, they are one of the most effective ways to get rid of the smell of skunk spray inside your home.