Skunk spray within close proximity to leather furniture and clothing can quickly find its way within the material. The overpowering skunk oil stench can cause extreme nausea and spread a revolting odor in anything it contacts.
Fortunately, there remain several household solutions for eliminating the skunk odor and returning freshness within your leather. Use of the following solutions can help to ensure that the leather is freshen to free it from any skunk related odor.
Skunk Smell Removal Solutions from Leather
1 Mandatory First Step: Detergent Wipedown
As your first step, you will want to apply a solution of dish detergent to help with breaking apart the skunk oil within the leather’s surface. Mix a solution of three teaspoons of dish detergent with two cups of water within a bowl. Dunk a light hand towel within the solution and proceed to wipe down the affected areas of the leather. Allow this solution to settle in for 15-20 minutes before returning to wipe the moisture away.
2 White Vinegar Mixture
The use of this household acid can work well in cutting through any remaining skunk odors within the leather. Mix a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts water and dunk a light hand towel within the solution. Next, wipe down the leather while ensuring that no area is left untouched. Allow the vinegar moisture to sit on the leather for 30-60 minutes before returning to dry the vinegar off the freshened leather with dry towel.
3 Liquified Baking Soda
This kitchen powder can work wonders in absorbing any remaining skunk smells entrenched within the leather fiber. Mix a solution of one part baking soda with six parts water and continue to wipe down the affected leather with this solution. Once completed, provide a minimum of 30-45 minutes for the vinegar to soak in before blot drying it from the freshen leather.
4 Rubbing Alcohol Treatment
The high alcohol content within the rubbing alcohol can have the effect of neutralizing skunk odors upon contact. Mix a solution of one part rubbing alcohol with three parts water and proceed to wipe down the leather’s surface with a light hand towel. After an hour has passed, any remaining alcohol moisture can be wiped up from the surface to reveal fresh smelling leather.
5 Lemon Juice Spray
The citric acid within lemon juice can have the effect of eliminating the foul stench of skunk within the leather. Mix a solution of one part lemon juice with seven parts water and proceed to dunk a light hand towel within a bowl of this substance. Wipe down the leather with this solution and provide a minimum of an hour for it to set in before absorbing any remaining lemon juice mixture from the freshened leather surface.
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Placing the leather watch band within direct sunlight can do much to remove the embedded stink. The ultra violet rays, open space and fresh air will slowly work to neutralize the smell and render the leather fiber odorless. It is important to find the correct balance when performing this task. Too much sun will ensure can potential bleach the leather color and too little will not have a strong enough effect.
This solution works well on leather to eat through the odorous organics that are creating the cause. Draw a small bowl of this solution, and submerge the leather straps within the solution for a total of 3-4 hours. Once complete, place the leather band in direct sunlight to dry out before reattaching to the watch face.
Using activated charcoal is a noninvasive and effective solution if you have the time. Find a very small box to place several charcoal briquettes. Next include the watch band within the pile and seal the box. Allow the box to sit for 5-7 days to slowly work it’s magic in absorbing all of the unwanted aromas before opening it to remove the freshened wrist bands.
Baking soda has been used for generations in extracting unwelcome odors from household items. Within a small bowl create a baking soda paste of one part baking soda to three parts water. Once mixed, submerge the leather watch bands within this formula and allow it to sit for 24 hours. During this time, the leather fiber will be loosened up and the baking soda will work to absorb the available odor. After this time period has passed, remove the watch bands and place them under the facet to wash away any baking soda paste that may remain on it. Finally, complete this solution by laying the watch band within the sun to air dry.
As far as product solutions go, Murphy’s Oil Soap can work wonders in eliminating harsh leather odors while remaining sensitive and gentile to the wrist bands appearance. Apply generous amounts of this solution to the watch band and allow it to sit for 2-3 hours. After this time rub away any excess and set aside for the fiber to naturally dry out.
The citric acid within lemon juice works to directly fight off the scent left behind from cigarette smoke. Mix a solution of one part lemon juice to six parts warm water within a spray bottle. Proceed to spray down the entire affected area of the leather. Once the leather has been fully misted, begin wiping the citric acid compound into the surface fiber. As the solution comes into contact with the smoke residue it will immediately neutralize it and quickly evaporate away.
Beyond making an excellent party drink, vodka has been used for decades as a deodorizer for smoke residues. The alcohol within the drink works to cut through the odorous smoke residues and leave surface areas of leather and other materials smelling fresh. Pour a small portion of vodka within a spray bottle and proceed to mist down the entire surface area of the leather. Quickly follow this up by wiping this moisture in with a light paper towel. Doing so will ensure that the alcohol will reach all affected surface areas and will prevent it from being lifted away by the towel.
The use of this substance does wonders at covering up smoke aromas. Mix one teaspoon with a cup of water and pours contents within a spray bottle. Begin to spray down the surface of the leather ensuring that it is covered in this solution. Store leather within a dry location with a outside in the shade. The open space and fresh air will work to sweep the remaining odor away.
Made naturally from orange peels, this product works great at cutting through tough smoke odors. Spray down the entire surface, and take leather outside within the shade to air dry. Be careful not to place it within direct sunlight to prevent the leather from bleaching.