Dog met the tail end of a skunk

[Urban Youth]

It didn't end very well. Someone let her in the house, and now my house reeks something awful. Does anyone have any suggestions for removing skunk oils and smells from, well, everything? Dog was taken care of first, other than the oil she got in her mouth, she's smell free now. Will have to take her to get her mouth cleaned later today. Already brushed her teeth twice and while the smell isn't bad, it still lingers.

Now, I've shampoo'd every carpet twice over, the first time with this product designed to remove the oils from skunk spray, and the second time with soap and water. Hardwood and laminate floors have been scrubbed, mopped, scrubbed, and mopped again. Walls have been wiped down. We're good on that part. The part we're having trouble with is the couch and my bed. Sheets have been stripped off the bed, hosed off outside and hung to air dry/air out. I guess some of the oils permeated through the sheets on to the mattress itself and I have no clue how I'm supposed to remove it. I'd prefer not to get rid of the mattress. There's also a couch, cushions have been removed and left outside and couch moved outside as well. It's a nice couch and again, I'd rather not have to get rid of it.

Does anyone have some suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[JustaShooter]

You might try a Rug Doctor or similar device. That, along with a cleaner like you used on the carpet, might do the trick.

For future reference, a home remedy I've used to good effect in the past (and which saved me from a trip to Walmart or similar at 4:30am) is 1qt hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1 squirt of Dawn or other degreasing dish soap. Mix in an open container, lather fur well, rinse thoroughly, repeat. Never tried it on anything other than the dog so I don't know how well it might work on other things. YMMV

 

[Urban Youth]

Yeah that is what I used on my dog. I might give it a try on my mattress. It can't do any worse to it than what it's already got on it at least. Thanks.

 

[Grapeshot]

I find that trisodium phosphate (TSP) is extremely effective as a cleaning agent. One pound box - $3.95.

There is also a phosphate free product = TSP-PF. I don't think it measures up, just plays on the TSP reputation.

Both manufactured by Savogran.
http://www.savogran.com/

 

[Firearms Iinstuctor]

I found keeping the dog out side for a few weeks works.

 

[Grapeshot]

Trisodium phosphate is prohibited in many places, Wisconsin. It is recommended that TSP be used with impervious gloves. That implies to me that it is too 'harsh' to use on the hound or hands.

A 1% w/w TSP/water solution has pH=12 extremely low!

"Trisodium phosphate is commonly used as a food additive. It also functions as a degreasing agent, a stain remover and a general cleaning agent. Also known by the names TSP, E339, trisodium orthophosphate or sodium phosphate, trisodium phosphate is no longer used in consumer soaps and detergents because of ecological concerns"
http://www.livestrong.com/article/518834-is-trisodium-phosphate-bad-for-you/

In dry form, TSP can be an irritant. No problem when mixed with quantity of water.



I still use it to machine wash my whites along with Tide.

 

[utbagpiper]

Ozone generator

An ozone generator does a decent job of oxidizing and thus rendering inert most every offensive odor against which I've tried it including cigar, cigarette, mouse droppings, and animal urine. I've never had occasion to try against skunk.

In workable concentrations, ozone is toxic. Take all humans and animals out of the house for a few hours while you let the ozone generator do its thing on full power. Leaving a central air or forced air heater blower turned on will circulate the ozone throughout.

When you come home, turn off the ozone and open the doors and windows for a few minutes. Ozone degrades back to O2 pretty quickly.

Hotel chains use these things to clean up rooms after someone smokes in them. If you don't want to buy a large, good one for a couple hundred dollars such as an Alpine Air you might look for a rental from a flood cleanup company.

Good luck.

 

[Grapeshot]

Trisodium phosphate is prohibited in many places, Wisconsin. It is recommended that TSP be used with impervious gloves. That implies to me that it is too 'harsh' to use on the hound or hands.

A 1% w/w TSP/water solution has pH=12 extremely low!

I used TSP without gloves for years with no apparent problems.

 

[utbagpiper]

I used TSP without gloves for years ....

That might explain a lot.

(just kidding. couldn't resist a little humor. like the old hippy who claims his years of LSD use had no effect even as he slurs his speech and can't hold a train of thought.)

 

[Urban Youth]

Thanks everyone. I'm pretty confident we got the smell out of everything. Only time will tell. It's going to be 110f+ here over the next few days so we'll definitely find out then.

 

[Grapeshot]

Originally Posted by Grapeshot

I used TSP without gloves for years ....

That might explain a lot.

(just kidding. couldn't resist a little humor. like the old hippy who claims his years of LSD use had no effect even as he slurs his speech and can't hold a train of thought.)

I youthed TSP mit doubt govs for beers.

 

[Va_Nemo]

Go to what is considered the old standby skunk smell remover. Tomato Juice.

Does it work? I dunno, I try to avoid skunks and make sure my hounds do too.

Buy a jug of it and try. You could do alot worse and more expensive.

Nemo

 

[JustaShooter]

Go to what is considered the old standby skunk smell remover. Tomato Juice.

Does it work? I dunno, I try to avoid skunks and make sure my hounds do too.

Buy a jug of it and try. You could do alot worse and more expensive.

According to a friend who has tried it, tomato juice doesn't work. I also seem to recall a Myth Busters episode that came to the same conclusion.

 

[Grapeshot]

V8 juice will at least give one a full serving of vegatables in each glass.