You may live in an area that has numerous skunks prowling the streets and alleys. These crepuscular creatures leave their dens from dusk to dawn and tend to keep their defenses up. In simpler terms, this means that they tend to easily spray anyone and anything that spooks them.
Not only is the skunk smell overpowering and rotten, but it is also contagious! Hence, if you or your dog gets sprayed, the more you come in contact with other objects or beings- the more you’ll be spreading it around.
Moreover, the longer you put off dealing with the skunk spray, the more it will settle down- and hence will be harder to get rid of. Therefore, it would be in your best interest to address the skunk spray quickly and efficiently while making sure to dodge myths.
If you thought taking a rigorous shower would help your bad luck, you are mistaken. More often than not, the only solution to getting rid of the pungent smell is by using the myth-free hydrogen peroxide!
Why Do Skunks Spray Humans and Animals?
There’s no need to hold grudges against skunks, for they do not leave their dens in hunt of humans and dogs to spray. Rather, fear causes them to build up their defense by spraying whoever has alarmed them.
Surprisingly, skunks are nocturnal and hence tend to avoid humans and animals. The bad news is that they are easily scared and tend to release a yellow oily spray from their anal glands that can affect anyone and anything within a distance of 3 feet.
It gets worse- it doesn’t take long for the skunk spray to vapourize and infiltrate everything it passes through.
Skunk spray is also a lachrymator- a chemical substance that causes nausea and irritates the eyes and nose, leading to tears, mucus production, and redness.
Why Does Skunk Odor Smell So Bad?
You can’t blame the skunks for spritzing others when they feel dangered. After all, I’m sure you’ve had your fair share of pepper-spraying others too.
But why does the defense of skunks have to be so penetrating that one has to double over dry-heaving? Only a chemist could examine and explain the components of a skunk smell.
Here’s what they have discovered. Skunk spray contains a sulfur-based organic compound called ‘thiols.’ These thiols tend to give off a bitter smell, somewhat similar to the days-old trash that we seem to marinate every once in a while.
But the long-lasting odor requires another element to help it become truly overpowering. This element is ‘thioacetates.’ Usually, when a skunk sprays, thioacetates are not active- but when they are introduced to water or humidity, they morph into the dreaded thiols.
As you may have guessed, nothing good can come out of this combination because the thioacetates allow the odorful spray to last a long time.
Eliminating the Tomato Juice Myth
Many of the victims of skunk spray may repeatedly be advised to apply tomato juice on their affected dog or themselves.
However, we can confirm that this tomato juice remedy is a myth that has spread like wildfire. The tomato juice cannot eliminate the odor. This is because the carotenoids and lycopene they contain are insufficient to oxidize or break down the thiols or thioacetates.
The least that tomato juice can do is mask the rotten egg smell. Although this creates ketchup drenched rotten egg scent- which is not what we are aiming for.
If you have been advised to use oatmeal or beer to eliminate the smell, then the myth stands true for them as well.
Hydrogen Peroxide Remedy To Remove Skunk Smell From Dogs
Perhaps all your dog wanted to do was play chase with the skunks. But little did he know, skunks aren’t very playful, but they are very fearful.
If he returns home whining and drenched in skunk smell, do not invite him indoors for cuddles. You will only get the scent onto yourself as well as your house.
Immediately begin cooking up the hydrogen peroxide concoction using the below-mentioned recipe, and then follow through with the process of becoming odorless. You can grab 3% hydrogen peroxide from Bulk Peroxide’s shop.
Make the Concoction
- Grab a bowl or container and throw in a quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
- Add in a ¼ cup of baking soda.
- Now merge a teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap.
- Make sure to stir the ingredients until they are well mixed.
The Process of Becoming Odor-Free
- Once you are aware that a skunk has sprayed your dog- get to checking its eyes. If they happen to be red or irritated, flush them with fresh cool water. You can also use a veterinary eyewash product if available.
- Pull-on your rubber gloves and start lathering your dog with the hydrogen peroxide solution.
- Do not leave the solution on his fur for a prolonged period unless you want a golden dog. Therefore, to avoid bleaching your dog, do not leave the solution on for too long.
- Rinse your pet thoroughly.
- To get rid of the oily texture and smell, you may have to repeat the process multiple times.
- Shampoo and bath your dog to get rid of the residual solution and have him smelling clean again.
- Dry your dog using a towel. It is recommended that you let him fully air dry outdoors in the sun.
Hydrogen Peroxide Remedy To Remove Skunk Smell From Clothes
In your attempt to rid your dog of the pungent smell, I’m sure your clothes have been affected and are well drenched in the skunk spritz.
Worry not, for we have a hydrogen peroxide remedy ready to dispatch! Read on for the complete de-skunking tutorial.
Ingredients Required
- 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Water
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 tablespoon laundry detergent
The Process of Becoming Odor-Free
- Fill up your bathtub with water.
- Proceed to drop all of your affected clothing into the tub.
- Combine all the measured ingredients in a bowl or container and mix well.
- Now pour the solution into your bathtub.
- The clothing should soak in the mixture for 2-3 hours. You can leave it to soak overnight for the best results.
- If your clothes are delicate, you may skip the hydrogen peroxide remedy. Instead, merge them in a solution containing one part vinegar and four parts water. Leave them to soak for 3 hours.
- Once the time is up, throw your clothes into the washing machine and add ½ a cup of baking soda to your usual detergents.
- Instead of using the dryer for your garments, you can turn them inside out and allow them to dry under the sun. The sun’s ultraviolet rays aid in further breaking down unwanted odors.
Hydrogen Peroxide Remedy To Remove Skunk Smell From Furniture
Oops! Did you walk around in your odor-drenched clothes looking for all the ingredients and ended up sharing the reek with your furniture and surroundings?
Now that you have the ingredients at hand, you may as well apply them to your furniture to get rid of the horrid scent.
Ingredients Required
- 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 2 drops of dish soap
- 4 tablespoons of baking soda
- 2 quarts of water
The Process of Becoming Odor-Free
- Grab a bucket and pour in all the ingredients mentioned above.
- Stir the solution until it is a well-mixed concoction.
- Grab a dish rag or old towel and merge a bit of it into the solution.
- Wipe down your furniture. If it is a colored or delicate couch or furniture, make sure to test out the solution on a small veiled portion of the furniture first.
- Allow the solution to soak in your furniture for 15 minutes.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Repeat the process until the furniture no longer reeks.
The Hydrogen Peroxide Remedy for Patio and Patio Furniture
- Grab your hose and spray the patio and furniture down with water. Check out your wood and furniture material before doing so- hydrogen peroxide and water may damage certain materials!
- Use the hydrogen peroxide concoction to wipe down the furniture and patio with a rag.
- Re-spray the area with clean water.
- Repeat as required.
Hydrogen Peroxide Remedy To Remove Skunk-Smell From Car
If your car has been a victim of skunking, it is truly tragic. Getting another car is not an option for most people, and that is why we bring forth another hydrogen peroxide remedy.
Ingredients Required
- 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
- ¼ cup of baking soda
- A teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap
- Charcoal
- Water
- Plastic container
The Process of Becoming Odor-Free
- Spray down the exterior of the car to stop any pungent smells from seeping inside.
- It is recommended that you remove the mats and other elements and air them out.
- Add the hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dishwashing soap to a container.
- Grab a clean cloth and apply the hydrogen peroxide solution to the interior of the car. This includes the seat, upholsteries, and carpets. Make sure to gently scrub and not saturate.
- Now create another concoction using the dishwashing soap and water. Use a clean cloth and use this concoction to clean other areas of the cars, including the armrests, doors, dash, etc.
- Make sure to rinse all the areas where you have applied the solutions.
- Open up the windows and allow the car to air out.
- Drill some holes into a plastic container and place charcoal within. Leave this container in the car for a few weeks to absorb the remaining odor.
Hydrogen Peroxide Remedy To Remove Skunk Smell From Grass and Bushes
It’s your lucky day, for you’re about to be treating your plants to a hydrogen peroxide cleanse. You may be worried about applying a chemical to your plants, and so it’s a good thing that hydrogen peroxide has so many benefits for plants.
- Add the diluted 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to a yard sprayer that attaches to your hose to spritz the plants. Alternatively, you can pour it from a bucket onto the affected areas.
- Use the hose to rinse the garden and plants.
Skunk-Free Zone
The most important lesson that we have learned from de-skunking is the importance of keeping a bulk of hydrogen peroxide at hand. Therefore, grab your 3% hydrogen peroxide from Bulk Peroxide’s shop.
Now that you are odor-free, off you go to greet mankind again. Remember, you should not be greeting the skunks!
