$500,000

Cost of the of the skunk-odor cleanup at a house in Highland Park, Illinois.

Some might smell an April Fools’ joke here, but this story has definitely been no laughing matter to the affected homeowner. Two years ago, a skunk took up residence in a $940,000, five-bedroom home under construction in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Illinois. According to this Chicago Tribune report, it took days to corner and remove the skunk, whose stench had thoroughly permeated the home.

Efforts to remediate the problem included taking the walls down to the studs and digging up a large section of a concrete porch. The insurance company paid for the work, but as the odor problem persisted and the cost grew to $500,000, the insurer insisted on cheaper options. The homeowner and insurer have since filed lawsuits against each other. Although the house is still not completed, the owner and her son are moving in this week.

Experts stress that you should try to remove an intruding skunk as soon as possible. As for odor removal, “One remedy that our members have found works on a pretty regular basis consists of one quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda, and one teaspoon of liquid soap,” says Pat Harman, director of communications for the Restoration Industry Association, a nationwide association of cleaning specialists.

“Because hydrogen has a tendency to bleach textiles, we wouldn’t advise spraying this solution on them, but if you do put them on a hard surface nearby, the solution will space and have some effect by neutralizing the sulfur in the skunk odor,” Harman added.

Consumer Reports’ How to Clean Practically Anything notes that you can try this solution to remove skunk odor from pets. Be sure to keep it away from your pet’s eyes—the mixture is nontoxic bit it can sting.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter

Essential information: Find out how air purifiers fared in removing household odors. Visit our cleaning-supplies hub for details on a range of cleaning products and try these recipes for low-cost homemade cleaning products.