How to Get Skunk Smell Out of Furniture

Skunks have to have one of the best natural defence mechanisms in the natural kingdom. One whiff of that rotten stench, and everyone stays away. The smell will carry for miles, and it will attach to multiple items in its path as it travels. There will be no mistaking the fact that a skunk has visited your neighborhood. The stench is a dead giveaway. You will be tempted to hold your nose once you catch a whiff of this particularly pungent aroma. It’s difficult to describe, but once you have smelled it, you will certainly never forget it.


 

One way that skunk scent can make its way onto your stuff is if a beloved pet gets sprayed and makes his or her way home. If you don’t catch Fluffy or Fido before they get the chance to rub up or lie on your furniture, you will have Eau de Skunk all over it. Once the smell has been transferred to the fabric, it will be challenging to get it out. Your outdoor furniture can also be a target for skunk stank. Since this is an oil based type of reek, putting water on it isn’t going to be an effective way to get the smell out. We have some effective solutions to help you deal with this problem. Keep reading for helpful suggestions to get rid of the skunk issue and help you be able to take a deep breath near the affected furniture again.
 

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How to Get Skunk Smell Out of Furniture

1 Arm & Hammer Carpet Powder Smell Out

Grab some heavy duty Arm & Hammer carpet powder. Sprinkle at least half a box of the product on the stinky furniture. The baking powder in the product will pull the skunk oil out of the furniture and get rid of the stank. Vacuum it up. You will need to repeat the process several times a week until all of the stink is gone.

 

2 Bleach it Out

If your outdoor furniture has gotten sprayed by Pepe Le Pew, wash it down with bleach. Mix one part bleach with nine parts water. This concentration will work well on most patio furniture. Choose colour-safe bleach to avoid damaging colored furniture and always try a test patch in an unobtrusive spot before you clean the entire piece.

 

3 Use Dry Cleaning Solution

You can find dry cleaning solution in the laundry aisle at Wal-Mart or in a hardware store. Apply the solvent to the furniture with a clean, white cloth. Make sure the room you are working in is well ventilated. Blot any excess liquid from the furniture with a second cloth. Allow the furniture to air dry.

 

4 Peroxide-Baking Soda-Dish Soap Recipe

Cook up your own home-made solution to the problem of skunk smell with a few items you may already have around the house. Pour a quart of hydrogen peroxide (3 percent grade) into a bucket. Add one Tablespoon of baking soda and a squirt of non-toxic dish detergent. Scrub down your furniture with a clean rag or old wash cloth. Rinse with a second cloth that has been wrung out in warm water.

 

5 Spray Down the Fabric

As soon as you notice, the skunk stink, grab some fabric spray and give your furniture a good misting. Even if it hasn’t come directly into contact with the skunk, it is possible for the smell to travel throughout your home and attach to the furniture, carpet, and walls. Be proactive and grab Febreze or a similar product and freshen up your furniture right away.


 
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Photo credit: Robert Bieber

How to Get Paint Smell Out of Furniture

The chemical stench of fresh paint can remain within a piece of furniture days or even weeks after it has been initially applied. Often this sharp stink can take over the room and cause much discomfort to spend much time around it.


 

Although industrial smells are never easy to treat, there exist a range of household solutions to that can help to remove the paint related odor. By applying one of the below solutions, you can be sure that your furniture will be smelling fresh and paint-free in no time.

 
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Paint Smell Removal Solutions for Furniture

 

1 Cut Onions in Bowl of Water

This method may sound strange, but it has successfully been used for generations to remove the effects of paint odor. Begin by cutting a full onion into four parts and placing each piece within a bowl. Next, fill these bowls with a cup of water and place the bowls around the piece of furniture that smells of paint. Allow the bowls to sit for 2-3 days surrounding the object while it works to absorb all unwanted odors. Once this time has passed, perform a smell test to ensure that the smell has passed and then remove the bowls.

 

2 Bowls of White Vinegar

This household acid works well at deodorizing a number of challenging odors within the home. Similarly, you will want to prepare four bowls and pour a half cup of white vinegar within each of them. Surround the piece of furniture that has been affected by paint odor making sure to place the bowl within key locations where they can best surround the item. Allow the bowls to sit for 2-3 days before return to do a sniff test of the furniture in question and remove the bowls.

 

3 Move Furniture Within Sun

Once of the most effective ways to eliminate the paint odor is to move the piece of furniture outside within the sun. The ultra violet rays will go to work in neutralizing the stench of the paint odor, while the fresh air and open space will gently lift any residual chemical scent. You will need to place the piece of furniture within a location of the yard where it will be sure to receive a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight. If any odor remains after the first day, you can try putting the furniture outside within the sun for a second or third day until no paint scent remains within it.

 

4 Bowl of Orange with Peelings

Similar to onions, oranges do very well at absorbing paint odors within furniture. Unpeel two oranges and take apart all of the wedges within each of them. Place the detached remains of each within two separate bowls and then place these bowls on either side of the piece of furniture. Allow the orange filled bowls to sit for 48 hours before returning to the piece of furniture to smell it and remove the bowls.

 

5 Vanilla Dipped Newspaper

If the furniture is a desk or chest of drawers, this solution can be very effective at removing difficult odors from enclosed spaces. Begin by filling a small saucer with vanilla extract and crumpling up several balls of newspaper. Take each ball and lightly dip the edged with the solution before proceeding to place these balls within the draws and enclosed spaces. After closing the drawers and spaces, allow the newspaper wads to sit for 24-48 before returning to remove them from the freshened space. The newspaper works to absorb the paint odor while the vanilla will have masked any remaining smell with its own subtle scent.

 

6 Use Clear Sealer

If nothing has been worked, you can try applying another coat of clear sealing paint over the piece of furniture that is emitting the paint smell. This will help to lock any smell from the original paint within and prevent it from smelling up the room. Because this option can be rather time consuming, it is recommended that you only use this as a last resort.

 
 

Prevention of Paint Smell

 

1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract in Paint

If you anticipate that a paint will smell, you can take one small but effective step to ensure that it does not smell. Simply measure one teaspoon of vanilla extract for each gallon of paint and thoroughly mix the ingredient in before use. The vanilla extract will work to neutralize the paint related odor and ensure that it does not contain an odor.



Photo Credit: Esteban Maringolo

 
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How to Get Smell Out of Furniture

Furniture gets shuffled, moved, and sat on. In the process, these fixtures of modern living gather smelly residues and bodily odors and create a nasty build-up. The stench is often overpowering and cause much discomfort on the part of the owner.


 
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Fortunately, there exist a range of household solutions for removing the odors and ensuring that they do not return. The following solutions can help to freshen the household furniture and make sure that the embedded stench within them is a thing of the past.

 

Smell Removal Solutions for Furniture

 

1 White Vinegar Spray

This household solution relies heavily on a mild acid that cuts through odorous residues and build-up within the furniture. For application of this solution, mix a solution of one part white vinegar with eight parts warm water within a spray bottle and proceed to mist down the exterior of that furniture. When dealing with a flatten surface, it is advised that you also dunk a small clean hand towel within the solution and give the odorous surface a good wipedown. Proceed to open the windows within the room and allow the vinegar-based solution to naturally air dry away.

 

2 Enzyme Cleaning Wipedown

This enzyme-based solution is great at literally eating through some of the smelly organics that cover the exterior of furniture. After acquiring the solution, dunk a small hand towel within the solution and proceed to rub down the affected areas of the furniture. When dealing with upholstery and underlying padding, you may need to administer and extra amount of enzyme solution within the padding to ensure that deep-down odors are reached and removed. Enzyme solution can be allowed to naturally evaporate from surfaces or can be blot dried from padding after it has been allowed to set for 24-48 hours. As a note of precaution, never use this solution on leather, silk or suede covered furniture.

 

3 Lemon Juice Spritz

In a similar fashion to white vinegar, the citric acid within lemon juice works to cut through odorous residues upon contact. Mix a solution of one part lemon juice with five parts water inside a generic spray bottle. Proceed to mist down the furniture with a heavy shot of lemon juice to ensure that no area is left untouched. Once completed, open the windows within the room to allow for a quicker evaporation process.

 

4 Sprinkle Baking Soda & Insert

This household powder contains marvelous absorption capabilities. If the area affected by the unwelcome odor is on the surface area, baking soda can be sprinkled over these areas to allow the for the powder to slowly pull the stench from the furniture’s surface. Alternatively, baking soda can be inserted within the couch or sofa cushions to maintain freshness and prevent the build-up of odor. Measure 1/4 cup of baking soda and add it on both side of the cushion before zipping the cushion closed.

 

5 Time + Sunshine

Oftentimes, all that is required to neutralize odors within furniture to allow it to bathe outside within direct sunlight. Move the furniture outside into a location within the yard where it is sure to receive a minimum of 8 hours of sunshine throughout the day. Once completed, perform a smell test of the furniture to decide if you need to place the it outside for a second or third day of deodorizing environment containing UV rays, open space and fresh air.

 

6 Vodka Mist It

The active ingredient within the formula is better known for mixing drinks than deodorizing furniture. However, the alcohol within this solution may surprise many party-goers that the alcohol within the solution can be used as a deodorizer to neutralize smell on contact and dry away odorlessly. Pour a small portion of this solution within a generic spray bottle, and proceed to spray down the affected area of the furniture with a heavy coat of the household spirit.


Photo credit: Juan ValldeRuten

 
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How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Furniture

A smelly consequence of cigarette smoke can be the odorous residues that build within the furniture of a home. Once the smokey funk of cigarettes get within this furniture’s fiber, it can be a challenging task to neutralize and remove.


 

Following regimate of household solution will help to eliminate the cigarette odor and ensure that it does not return. The following solutions can be helpful at freshening the furniture within your home and making the stench of cigarette smoke a thing of the past.

 
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Deodorizing Furniture Solutions

 

1 Lemon Juice Wipe

The citric acid within lemon juice is the most effective solution against cigarette odor. Create a solution of one part lemon juice with 4 parts water within a bowl. Proceed to dip a small clean hand towel within the solutions and rubbing the formula into the affected areas of the furniture. In furniture containing upholstery, the solution can be poured within a generic spray bottle and sprayed on. As a final step, simply allow 30-45 minutes for the citric acid to do it’s job while it naturally evaporates away.
 

2 Vodka Mist

This spirit has much many more powers than fueling parties. The alcohol within the solution works to neutralize odors on contact and quickly evaporate away. Pour a small amount of vodka within a spray bottle and spray down the affected area of the furniture. When dealing with large flat surfaces, a small clean hand towel can be moistened with vodka and used to wipe down and deodorize the specific piece of furniture.
 

3 Enzyme Spray

Using an enzyme spray is both safe and powerful in combating smoke related odors within furniture. This solution is available in pet stores and most large supermarkets. It works by harnessing the active enzymes within the solution to actually eat through the odorous smoke residues within the furniture. After spraying down the cigarette affected piece of furniture, make sure to follow up by wiping down the flat areas with a clean paper towel to spread out the formula and ensure that no surface area is left untouched.
 

4 White Vinegar Mixture

Similar to lemon juice, white vinegar works by using it’s acid to cut through difficult odors. Mix a solution of one part white vinegar with eight parts water within a bowl.  Using this mixture, dampen a small hand towel within the liquid and proceed to wipe down the affected sections of the furniture.  Alternatively, this same formula can be sprayed on upholstery through a generic spray bottle.  As a note of precaution, immediately after application the solution will contain a vinegar scent which will go away immediately after drying.

 

5 Soak Within Sun

The solar rays of the sun in your backyard can do much to reduce the odor of cigarettes within the furniture.   The open space, fresh air and ultraviolet rays will all help in neutralizing the smokey residues.  Find a location that receives a minimum of eight hours of direct sunlight and move your furniture within the spot in the morning.  Perform a smell test at the end of the day and consider taking the furniture outside for more sun a second or even third day if any odor remains.

 

6 Sprinkle Baking Soda

The absorption powers of baking soda has been known and used for several generations.  Sprinkle heavy quantities of the deodorizing powder of the the smoke smelling piece of furniture.  Allow the baking soda to sit and absorb the odors for 48-72 hours before doing a smell test.  If the cigarette odor remains, allow the baking soda to remain where it is for another 48 hours.  Once the furniture has been freshened, proceed to vacuum the powder up with a hose attachment.

 

7 Citrus Product Spray

When lemon or lemon juice is not available, citric cleaning  product will work nearly as well.  Orange TKO is one that can be sprayed onto the cigarette affected piece of furniture to remove all signs of cigarette odors.  As a precaution, always make sure that your specific product spray will do no damage to the material of your specific piece of furniture.  In short, always make sure that your read the bottle before use.


 
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How to Get Cat Urine Smell Out of Furniture

A major challenge with cats is their ability to get into several nooks and crannys around the house.  Due to their natural acrobatic abilities, they are often found high and low, on a number of different furniture sets.  Despite such obvious skills in mobility, our feline friends can surprisingly fail to make their way to the litter box and make a urine deposit upon our furniture.


 

When disaster strikes, there remain several solutions to cleaning up the mess and removing the kitty urine based odor.  By following the suggestions below, you will be able to increase your odds of solving your cat urine furniture problem.

 

Cat Urine Removal from Furniture

 

1 Remove Affected Cushions

If you have caught your kitten within the act on one of the cushions from your couch or sofa, gentility remove the cushion to place it outside as soon as possible. Cat urine has a way of making it’s way within the cracks of the couch and underlying furniture frames if it has enough time to soak in.  By immediately removing the cushion, you will be preventing this from happening and diverting a larger problem.

 

2 Use a Black Light

If the smell of cat urine is within a piece of your furniture, it is likely that it has taken a direct hit. In such cases, you can use a blacklight to search out the spot.  Close the blinds within the room, and run a black light over the affected piece of furniture.  Immediately, you should be able to see a subtile grow emanating from that areas where your cat has urinated on the furniture.

 

3 Press Dry Kitty Fluids

On the areas that remain moistened from your cat’s urine spray it is important to press dry the spot to withdraw as much liquid as possible. Using a clean and dry hand towel, press down on these locations until all of the urine fluids have been lifted from the affected locations of the furniture.

 

4 Dilute with Water

Once much of the urine has been lifted from the location, you can proceed to pour small amounts of water onto the affected portions of the furniture to dilute the remaining residues within.  After pouring water onto the upholstery and underlying furniture padding, you can proceed to blot dry the location to pull out additional urine resides from the cushioning.  For best results, pour water and blot dry a second time to lift additional urine fluids out of the furniture.

 

5 Use an Enzyme Cleaner

Once much of the urine and ammonia based residues have been lifted from the furniture, using enzyme cleaner will help to eat through the existing residues and deodorizing the urine odor.  Pour enzyme cleaning solution over the affected areas and allow for the solution to set for 24-48 hours while it literally eats through the organic urine residues within the upholstery and underlying padding.  Once 1-2 days have passed, you can return to blot dry the enzyme cleaning solution from the furniture before placing back within use.

 
 

Alternative Cat Urine Deodorizing Tips

 

1 Deodorize with White Vinegar

When enzyme cleaner is not accessible, white vinegar can make a wonderful household substitute in combating cat urine odors.  The mild acid within white vinegar directly neutralizes the ammonia within urine and leaves it odorless once dry.  Mix a solution of one part white vinegar with five parts warm water and pour over the affected areas of the furniture.  Allow the solution to work it’s magic for 24-48 hours before returning to blot dry the remaining white vinegar from the upholstery and cushioning.  As a note of precaution, the white vinegar will posses a have a mild odor until it have completely evaporated from the piece of furniture.

 

2 Use Solar Power

Placing the furniture within the sun will do more than allowing the white vinegar or enzyme cleaning solution evaporate faster.  The ultraviolet rays, open space and fresh air will all work to further lift any remaining cat urine odors.  If the pice of furniture is small and light weight enough to move outdoors within direct sunlight for 1-2 days, it can have a last effect on erasing the effects of your feline friend urinary misfirings.

 

3 Sprinkle Baking Soda Within Cushion Liner

Baking soda is a household ingredient that is know for it’s odor absorbing capabilities.  As an additional step, sprinkling baking soda within the cushion liners of the furniture  can help to keep any remaining odors within the padditing at bay.  Measure 1/4 cup of baking soda and disperse it throughout the cushion to make sure that it cover the entire interior.
 
 

Preventative Cat Urine Solutions

 

1 Place Secondary Litter Box

Cats are creatures of comfort and often will opt to relieve their bladders in places that are close and comfortable.  If the cat litter box is located on the other end of the house, you may wish to consider placing another litter box on the other corner of the household.  Doing will ensure that you cat is always within close proximity to the litter box and will have no excuse not to use it.  As an additional precaution, avoid placing that the box within a location that can accidentally be blocked off by a door or obstruction. If cats cannot get to their litter box, you can be sure that they will relieve themselves elsewhere.

 

2 Reward Your Cat

Rewards always work better than punishments.  If your cat successfully uses his litter box, be sure to provide rewards from time to time to increase it’s positive association with the act.  This is especially important after the cat has misfired on you furniture as this will incentives this practice and will ensure that your cat does not get within the habit of peeing anywhere that he pleases within the house. If this problem persists, it may make sense to take you cat to the local feline veterinarian for a checkup.


 
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How to Get Dog Urine Smell Out of Furniture

When dogs confuse household furniture for the backyard lawn it can be very problematic.  The difficulty removing this long-lasting urine odor can vary based upon furniture selection. However, cleaning and removing odor is never very easy, and can leave owners questioning how they will return their furniture back to normal.


 

This guide presents a range of solutions for removing dog urine odor from household furniture.  By using the below tips, you will be able to increase your odds of eliminating your furniture’s funk.

 
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Suggested Steps

The following steps are essential to removing the unwanted urine odors and returning your furniture back to normal.

 

1 Remove Cushions

Once cushions have been urinated on, you are in a race against time before the urine seep through within the cracks of the furniture.  Once this happens, it will be increasingly difficult to remove the stench.  If the cushion was not urinated on, move forward with the next step.

 

2 Press Dry

Begin blotting the area where the urine has soaked in with a dry towel.  Be sure to use your full body weight while you press to ensure that you absorb all of the unwanted moisture from the padding.

 
 

3 Water Down

You will want to dilute this substance within the padding.  Continually pour water on the affected area, blotting it up shortly afterwards.  After doing this 2-3 times, the furniture will be ready to receive an enzyme solution.

 
 

4 Enzyme Solution – Do Not Use On Leather

Enzyme solutions contain active enzymes that eat through organics like urine and leave freshness behind.  It is often recommend by vets, can be purchased at most pet store and large super markets, and are essential to when pet accidents of this nature occur.   To use, pour enzyme solution on affected area and leave to sit for a day.  After a day has passed, blot out excess and allow furniture to air dry.

 
 

Alternative Solutions

If an enzyme formula is not an option, you can try one of the below substances as a solution.

 

1 White Vinegar

If you are unable to find enzyme solution at your local pet store or supermarket, white vinegar can be used as an alternative.  Mix 1 part white vinegar with 5 parts water, and pour the substance on the location of the accident.  Allow it to sit for 24 hours before blotting excess and allowing it to air dry.

 

2 Baking Soda

After watering the spot down, you can help remove much of the odor with baking soda.  Open the lining of the cushion and pour baking soda over the spot within the padding.  Then close the lining and leave the baking soda for 24-48 hours to absorb much of the odor.


 
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How to Get Musty Smell Out of Wood Furniture

People often blame old age when they smell musty odors within wood furniture.  In actuality, the science behind how it gets the odor is found within the slow infiltration of mold spores within the wood’s fiber. Mold thrives in locations that are dark and damp, and usually appears within wooden furniture after it has been stored within an attic or basement.  When the wood sits for weeks, months, or even years at a time, this smell intensifies.


Fortunately, there exist several solutions for neutralizing these invisible pungent particles, and making sure they never return.  By following the below tips, you can find ways to kill the mold and neutralize the residual musty odors.

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Eliminate Mold

You must kill the existing mold spores before you can begin eliminating the odor.  Failure to eliminate all of the mold spore will result in the odor returning shortly after you have treated it.

1 Bleach

Create a mixture of one part bleach to six parts water within a bowl or bucket.  Take a cloth and dunk it within this mixture and begin scrubbing down the the piece of furniture.  Bleach will work wonders in eating away at any mold and leave a sterilized surface behind.

Be sure to scrub down every square each of the wood to ensure that the mold is completely wiped out.  Additionally, take care not to apply the bleach solution to any cloth material built within the furniture to avoid unwanted bleaching.  As a final step, rinse the bleach off of the wood with fresh water to avoid any unwanted chemical damage on the wood’s surface.

Smell Removal Solutions

These solutions can be used singularly or in combination with one-another.  By using more than just one tip, you can increase your chances of removing any unwanted musty odors.

1 White Vinegar

This household substance is the most commonly used for neutralizing musty odors within wood fiber.  Create a solution of white vinegar and water in equal parts and scrub down the entire wooden furniture.  After wiping down, allow the vinegar to air dry off of the piece of furniture.

2 Baking Soda

Baking soda is known for it’s ability to eliminate a wide range of household odors.  A solution of one part baking soda and ten parts water will absorb nearly all of the musty odors.  Mix thoroughly, and scrub down entire surface of wood furniture.  Let this solution air dry off of the surface, and enjoy freshened furniture.

3 Lemon Oil

This substance works miracles at wiping out smoke and mold related odors within wood.  Simply apply this oil to a cloth, and give the entire wooden surface of furniture a wipe down.  Doing this after cleaning with bleach is usually enough to remove any lingering odors.

4 Hydrogen Peroxide

Similar to baking soda, this household compound can help you in removing musty aromas.  Create mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water in equal parts, and give the entire furniture a wipe down. Let odors air dry off the furniture and receive the added benefit of the darkened stains within the wood being lifted out.

5 Murphy’s Oil Soap

This product does a fantastic job at cleaning and eliminating unwanted aromas within wood.  Applying this product to a cloth, and begin wiping down the entire piece of furniture.  Let it air dry, and enjoy the freshened aroma that the product has left behind.

6 Nature’s Miracle

Unique enzymes within this product eat away at mold and leave freshness behind.  Pour some of this product into a cloth and work the solution into the entire piece of wooden furniture.  Allow product set into the grain of the wood and air dry away.


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