Got skunked? Here’s How to Get Rid of the Smell

How do you stop a skunk from smelling? You plug its nose! Okay, but actually, it’s one of the worst smells, and if it’s happened to you (or your pet), you know how hard it is to get rid of the skunk stench. Keep reading for all our favorite tips and tricks to get rid of the skunky smell. 

You probably already have these ingredients in your cupboards so you don’t even need to head to the store. If you have pets, it’s a good idea to keep these ingredients together like a first aid kit. When you need them, you need them now.

Debunking a popular myth: Tomato juice is not effective as a de-skunking method as it does not have the power to neutralize the odor. It only tricks your mind into thinking it worked. You can read the Britannica article on it here.

The trick to de-skunking is neutralizing the skunk thiols, or the sulfurous chemical in skunk spray. 

De-Skunking Recipe 

• 4 cups 3% hydrogen peroxide
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 1 tsp blue Dawn® dish soap (blue Dawn® is the most effective and safe dish soap for this)

WARNING: This solution is safe to use on skin, hair and clothing. It is for immediate use, then discard it down the drain. Do not store it in a bottle or container as the fumes are combustible and may explode if contained.

Act Fast When You’ve Been Skunked

The longer skunk oil is in contact with something, the harder it is to remove. 

De-skunk Yourself

• Avoid rubbing: If you’ve been sprayed by a skunk, do not rub the affected area as you can spread it elsewhere. 
• Apply the de-skunking solution to the affected area and be thorough. Rub into skin, hair and clothing as needed (use caution as it can have a bleaching effect). Let sit for a few minutes then rinse thoroughly with warm to hot water. Repeat this process as many times as needed if the skunk stink is strong. 
• Take a shower: Wash off with water, then use soap to cleanse the skin and eliminate odors. Use normal shampoo for your hair. Repeat as needed.
• Once you’ve used the de-skunking solution on your clothes, get them in the washing machine with powdered Tide®, ½ cup baking soda or ½ cup of vinegar and wash in the hottest cycle safe for your clothes. Give them a sniff test and repeat the wash cycle if necessary. Air dry outside (the sun helps break down the skunk smells) or dry on low to no heat to avoid baking the scent into your clothes.  

De-Skunking Your Pet

Your first instinct will be to hose your pet off —- DO NOT DO THIS. Use the solution as a paste and apply it to your pet’s hair to absorb the oils as fast as possible.

• Keep your pet outside to avoid bringing the smell into the house! I cannot stress this enough. It will be much harder to get the smell out of your home than your pet. If they have to sleep in the garage for a couple days, do it.
• I mean it; it is so hard to get this smell out of your house! 
• Wear gloves, and clothes you can throw away.
• If your pet has skunk oil in their eyes, flush out with cool to lukewarm water.
• Apply the de-skunking solution to your pet’s coat and rub it in. Avoid getting it in their eyes. If they have an undercoat you will need to really work it in. 
• Let the mixture sit for a few minutes then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Repeat, repeat, repeat, until the smell dissipates. 
• Wash your clothes and take a shower (as mentioned above) after cleaning your pet.

Remove the Skunk Stench In and Around Your Home

Inside:

• Ventilate your home by opening windows and running fans throughout. 
• Change your furnace filters as they can collect and circulate skunk particles.
• Pour some vinegar into bowls and place them around your home to help deodorize the skunk smell. You can also boil vinegar in a pot and let the steam do its magic.
• Soft surfaces: If you get skunk oil on your carpet or upholstery, use vinegar and water. Add 1 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of hot water, and use a cloth to wipe it away and deodorize.
  • Another option is to sprinkle baking soda or a powdered odor eliminator on the area and then vacuum it up a few hours later. (We recommend using a shop vac to avoid wrecking your vacuum)
• Hard surfaces: for items like tables or hard floors, you can use the above vinegar mixture or 1 cup of bleach mixed with 1 gallon of hot water. Wipe with the cleaning solution to rinse the skunk smell away. 
• Our top tip is to hire a professional to come in and run an ozonator. This helps a lot and we do not recommend doing this part yourself.

Outside:

• For skunk spray outside the home, such as in the yard, the deck, on play structures, etc.:
  • Give everything a good spray down with water. Use your garden hose (if you have one). This helps to move skunk particles downwards to be absorbed into the ground. 
  • Sprinkle the area with baking soda and let it sit as long as possible. 
  • Mix a couple of teaspoons of blue Dawn® in a gallon of hot water. 
  • Use an old sponge or mop to wash any surfaces. Be mindful of your grass. Toss the sponge or mop head after use.
  • Rinse well with your hose. 

Even though there is no quick fix for the terrible smell, de-skunking is possible with a few ingredients and patience to get rid of the scent. If you aren’t having any luck with the above methods, consider hiring a professional.

To prevent any future encounters with those cute but stinky animals, be sure your garbage lids are tightly closed and keep a safe distance away from any skunks in your area.

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