How to Remove Skunk Smell from Wood

Table of Contents:

Removing the Smell
Additional Tips and Advice
Sources

Wood is a very common item for skunks to spray as it is found outside in areas where skunks frequent, such as on a deck, around planer boxes, or on patio furniture. Here are some easy ways to remove the smell. If one way doesn’t do the trick, try another until the smell is fully removed.

Removing the Smell

You Will Need:

A fan
Gloves
Simple Green
A scrub brush
A towel
White vinegar
Pet enzyme cleaner
Hydrogen peroxide
Baking soda
Dish liquid
A cloth
Vanilla extract
A bucket

Steps to Remove the Smell:

Ventilate the area by opening all the nearby windows and pointing a fan on the area.¹
Put on a pair of disposable gloves to avoid transferring the skunk oil to your hands.¹
Fill a bucket with 5 cups of hot water, then add 1/2 cup of Simple Green All Purpose Cleanser. Scrub the floor with the mixture, then wipe up the liquid with a towel.¹
Another option for removing the stench is a pet enzyme cleaner. Follow the instructions on the label of your selected cleaner to apply it to the area.²
Another option is to use a mixture of 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, 1 tablespoon baking soda and a small squirt of dish liquid.³ Apply the mixture on the surface, let it sit for a couple minutes, then wipe it up with a towel.⁴
Another option is to use a baking soda paste. Pour some baking soda into a bowl and stir in a little water to make a thick paste that is about the consistency of toothpaste or peanut butter. Spread the paste over the area where the skunk sprayed and let it dry. Brush off the dried paste and the smell should be gone.
To remove any remaining smell, soak a cloth with vanilla extract and put it in a bowl. Set the bowl near the area where the skunk sprayed and let it sit overnight.¹
When you have finished cleaning, put all towels or rags used for cleaning in a bucket of white vinegar to soak overnight.⁵ If you don’t have enough white vinegar to fill a bucket, you can use a ratio of one cup white vinegar to one gallon of water.⁶

Additional Tips and Advice

There are commercial skunk odor removers available, such as Nature’s Miracle Skunk Odor Remover. If you see a lot of skunks in your area, consider investing in a commercial product.²
Skunks can be repelled with perfume scents. Simply put an air freshener in the area where the skunk frequents or around the perimeter of your house to keep them away.⁷
Oleander is one scent that skunks particularly dislike.¹
If the skunk smell has entered the house, check the air filters and replace them if needed.
Skunk spray is nature’s version of tear gas and prolonged exposure can be irritating to the eyes and skin, as well as nauseating. Take breaks from cleaning as needed to avoid discomfort.