How to Remove the Smell of Skunk on Yourself or Your Pet

When most people think of skunks, their smell is one of the first things that comes to mind. If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to get sprayed by a skunk or discover that your pet was sprayed, you know how unpleasant it is, and how difficult the smell is to get rid of. You may have tried methods in the past that just didn’t work or weren’t as effective or fast-acting as you would have liked. If you’ve never encountered skunk spray, consider yourself lucky — but it is still important to be prepared in case you do ever get sprayed. Thankfully, there are many methods you can use to safely and effectively get the smell of skunk spray off of you and/or your pet.

One of the best ways to remove skunk smell is with a mixture of dish soap, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. According to a report on “Removing Skunk Odor” from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, you should mix one to two teaspoons of dish soap, ¼ cup of baking soda, and one quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide for ideal results. This mixture can be used to remove the odor of skunk spray on yourself, your pet, and certain objects such as clothes and furniture. Once the dish soap, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide mixture is applied and washed off, you should use a regular shampoo or detergent to complete the cleaning and thoroughly remove the smell.

There are also multiple store-bought compounds that can be used to eliminate skunk smell. Check with your local pharmacy or pet store for solutions to remove the smell of spray after a skunk encounter.

Does Tomato Juice Remove Skunk Smell?

Contrary to popular belief, a tomato juice bath is not an effective method of removing skunk smell on your body or your pet’s. Unlike the mixture described above, tomato juice does not actually neutralize the spray and effectively eliminates skunk odor. Rather, tomato juice may only mask the smell and produce temporary results.

Is Skunk Spray Dangerous?

Getting sprayed by a skunk or having a pet who was sprayed by a skunk is more than just a foul-smelling inconvenience. Skunk spray can actually pose a danger, in some cases. Especially in pets, the smell of skunk spray can produce nausea and vomiting. If a person or animal is sprayed in the eyes, a burning sensation, pain, and potential damage can result. In addition to eliminating the smell of skunk spray, you should also be sure to address these effects. For example, you should flush your eyes (or your pet’s eyes) with cold water as soon as possible to minimize irritation.

If skunks are an issue at your home, Frame’s Pest Control, Inc. can help. We offer wildlife trapping and removal services to keep skunks and other pests away from your property. Get in touch with us today to discuss your skunk problem with our team. We can figure out what the best route to go down is and talk about our wildlife and pest control services in Cleveland, Ann Arbor, or the surrounding areas to see what works best for you.

To schedule an appointment with our pest control experts, contact us online or call (419) 495-8283.