One of the strongest odors on the planet is that of the skunk. Depending on what or where the skunk has sprayed, there are different methods that may work to remove skunk odor. There is not any single solution that is guaranteed to alleviate the odor entirely on the first application.
Dogs are famous for ignoring the signs that a skunk is getting ready to spray. Consequently, they are the biggest victims of skunk odor – getting sprayed for chasing, sniffing, and provoking the skunk. One of the most well-known concoctions to remove skunk odor from dog’s fur uses the following ingredients:
1. 3% Hydrogen peroxide – 1 pint (568 mL)
2. Baking soda – ½ cup (120 mL)
3. Dish soap – 2 tablespoons (30 mL)
4. Apple cider vinegar – 1 bottle - approximately 1 pint (568 mL)
Simply mix the first three ingredients, dissolving the baking soda. Then, apply the mixture to the dog’s fur and let it soak down to the skin, but be careful not to get in near the eyes. Let it sit for about ten minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Repeat process until the smell is nearly gone.
Then, saturate the dog’s fur with vinegar. Let it sit for ten minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Wash with a clean smelling shampoo and conditioner, and follow directions as you normally would during the bathing routine. It must be noted that since hydrogen peroxide is used, it can strip the color from fur, hair, or other items.
Another natural way to remove skunk odor is by washing the animal, person, or affected item in tomato juice. Although many people claim that this method of removal is not effective, it has been proven to break down the molecules that cause the odor. Then, when other methods are used after the tomato juice bath, they work better than they would without the tomato juice.
If items such as a building, outdoor furniture, or a car have been sprayed by a skunk, it may work to wash the affected area with a strong solution of bleach and water. It may take several applications of the solution before the smell goes away and can change the color of the item.
If a skunk has sprayed in an enclosed area, such as the crawl space under the house, the area can be wrapped in with a plastic painter’s tarp. Then, a large bag of charcoal can be opened in the space. The charcoal will work to absorb the smell and thereby remove skunk odor.
Lastly, there are many different kinds of commercial sprays that claim to work to remove skunk odor. Many of them can be purchased from veterinarians, especially if they claim to work on dog fur. Others can be purchased at hardware stores or super shopping centers.