Removing Skunk Odors

About the only effective thing a skunk can do to defend themselves is to spray a liquid that stinks to the high heavens. It is a very effective defense.

This spray contains a sulfuric based chemical that comes from their anal glands. The terrible odor is unmistakeable, a combination of rotten eggs, garlic, and burnt rubber. So if you see a skunk hissing, stomping it's feet, raises his tail and pointiing his rear at you - start running.

Being "skunked" is not a pleasant experience for animals or people. You must have already run into a Skunk because you are at this page, so all I can say is I'm sorry, and I've been there too. And I know just how to fix you all up..

So lets get right to it, The faster you clean it up, the faster you get rid of the odor. We'll clean it up fast with a homemade cleaning deodorizer.

Homemade Skunk Odor Remover Recipe:

Here is a recipe that is safe for pets or humans to use. This will help to remove the skunk odor - not just mask it.  If a skunk has got you, you can use this liquid to wash with, you can also use this to wash your dog, and your clothes.

All of the ingredients below should be mixed at the time you need it,  in an open container and not bottled. The hydrogen peroxide and baking soda produce copious amounts of oxygen and it's the same chemical action that is creating the oxygen that will neutralize the skunk odor.  Whatever cleaning solution you have left over that you don't use should be poured down the drain.  

• One quart of hydrogen peroxide
• ¼ cup of baking soda
• A teaspoon or two of gentle liquid soap like soft soap or ivory liquid

Removing Odor From Clothing:

If you can actually bear to wear your clothes long enough to get to a washing machine, you'll need to wash them in the hottest water possible. Use the strongest laundry detergent you can find and don't be shy about using it. Don't use so much that the machine over-suds and leaks all over the laundry room floor like a bad Brady Bunch episode. It should also go without saying that you'll want to wash the skunk clothes separately.

Because the skunk spray will permeate the fibers of your clothes and might be a bit tougher to remove, another method for laundering clothes that have been skunked is below. You may need to repeat the process until the smell is completely gone.

• Laundry detergent, use liberally
• Use the hottest water possible
• Vinegar, 4 cups per load
• Baking soda, 1 cup per load

Using the hottest water your washable clothes can tolerate, fill the tub with water and add the vinegar and baking soda, then add your clothes and wash.

Keep in mind you don't want to put your clothes in the dryer until the smell is gone. If you do put them in the dryer and the smell hasn't been removed, the cloths may be permanently "skunky" smelling and will need to be tossed out. If it is a sunny day, you can also hang the clothes in the sun to dry.

If Your Dog Smells Like Skunk:

If your dog has been sprayed, the sooner you try and bathe him, the better. If possible, don't let him loose in the house. You don't want him to jump up on any of the furniture or come into contact with the kids.

Skunk Remover Recipe For Dogs

In a wide-mouth plastic container, mix the following ingredients:

• One quart of hydrogen peroxide
• ¼ cup of baking soda
• A teaspoon or two of gentle liquid soap like soft soap or ivory liquid

Step 1. Stir the mixture gently but don't put it into a spray bottle. (Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda put off oxygen that will create an enormous amount of pressure. Remember the Brady Bunch episode in which Peter builds the volcano?)

Step 2. Work the mixture into your dog's coat immediately while the solution is still bubbling. You might want to wear rubber gloves to avoid getting the skunk smell on your hands.

Step 3. Keep your dog as still as possible for five to 10 minutes while the solution works its magic. Then, rinse him or her well with warm water.

Step 4. While the solution should not irritate your dog's skin, watch him or her carefully to make sure.

How to Remove Skunk Odors from Your Car:

There's a commercial product called "Skunk-Off" that works well for some people. If you can't find it, use a commercial tire cleaner to at least scrub the tires. If the smell has permeated the inside of the car, spray upholstered seats and the carpet with distilled white vinegar. Remove the car mats and spray them as well.

You'll also need to replace the air filter as soon as you can. Any of the skunk oil that's under the hood will make its way into the car as long as it's there. Don't waste your money on air fresheners that hang from the mirror. They will cover the bad odor, but they won't be any good at removing skunk smell.

Additional Skunk Odor Removal Tips:

• If you were skunked, get yourself, or your animal and all clothing washed immediately- The sooner the better.
• If a pet was sprayed by a skunk, try to bath them outside to avoid further "spray" from the skunk being tracked inside your home.
• Skunk odor is very persistent so don't get discouraged if it does not come out immediately at first. Bathing and laundering may have to be done more than one time.
• If you have skunks around your home keep the lids tightly on any garbage cans and feed the dog indoors.
• Watch your back - and your pets.

Avoid Getting Sprayed In The Future:

If you live in an area with skunks, you're going to have to learn how to avoid being sprayed in the first place. Skunks are nocturnal (sleep in the day) and are out and about at night foraging for a variety of food. They are omnivore, which means that they eat both plant and animals, with insects a being a favorite choice.

If you have to go outside in the evening where a skunk might be about, bring a flashlight to avoid startling it if you happen upon each other- Or at least give you a chance to run if you see that you are about to become a target again.

Skunks do not form long partnerships and often communicate via scent marking. They mate in late February and their young are born in May. Young skunk are raised my their mother for a year.

• Remove food sources and shelter
• Put trash out in morning instead of the evening, if possible, or keep it in a protected area.
• Skunk-proof garbage can with a tight fitting lid, or secure it with straps.
• Don't leave pet food or their food bowls out at night.
• Treat lawns to reduce grub populations (biological controls are preferred.
• Keep mice out of buildings. Skunks eat them, and will go inside buildings looking for them.
• Remove brush piles and debris.
• Close garage doors at night.
• Cover window wells. There are readily available commercial window well covers that are inexpensive.
• Close basement windows at night, and keep them in good repair.

Image courtesy of NDomer73, CC BY Flickr.