This is a recipe I hope you never have to make, but if the day comes when a skunk sprays one of your critters, this DIY solution will get rid of skunk smell fast.
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Nature’s miracle skunk odor remover
After a skunk encounter, I realized I was unprepared for the skunk’s spray. With no old-time remedy such as a tomato juice bath, I contemplated more home remedies like using diced tomatoes or tomato paste.
Then, I turned to the internet. I discovered skunk spray is oil-based, which means I needed natural resources that would remove the oil.
So, I created a cleaning solution using liquid dish soap, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and water. After a 5-minute scrub, a thorough rinse, and regular dog shampoo, the skunk spray smell vanished.
To my surprise, the smell was still gone the next morning, leaving our mischievous pups smelling like fresh troublemakers. If you need to get your pets out of a stinky situation, I highly recommend making this mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap.
Skunk-B-Gone
Ingredients
- 1 tsp liquid dishwasher soap
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 2 cups hydrogen peroxide
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Mix: Mix all the ingredients together, but don’t worry about measuring. You won’t have time to pull out the measuring cups, if your pet gets sprayed.
- Pour: Pour the mix onto the affected area.
- Scrub: Scrub the sprayed area over the entire body for about 5 minutes.
- Rinse: Rinse.
- Wash: Wash your pet with their regular shampoo and rinse.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Ingredients for homemade skunk spray
- Liquid Dishwasher Soap: Helps break down and lift the oily skunk spray residue.
- Baking Soda: Acts as a deodorizer to neutralize and absorb odors.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: Oxidizes and helps break down the sulfur compounds in skunk spray, reducing the smell.
- Warm water
See the full recipe card for servings and a full list of ingredients.
How to make skunk spray
- Mix: Mix all the ingredients together, but don’t worry about measuring. You won’t have time to pull out the measuring cups if your pet gets sprayed.
✔️ PRO TIP
Pour the mixture into a spray bottle for easy use.
- Pour: Pour the mix onto the affected area.
- Scrub: Scrub the sprayed area over the entire body for about 5 minutes.
✔️ PRO TIP
Make sure not to get it into your pet’s eyes so they don’t burn.
- Rinse: Rinse.
- Wash: Wash your pet with regular pet shampoo and rinse. If you notice any lingering odor, repeat the steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
A skunk sprays to defend itself as a defense mechanism. It releases strong odors from its anal glands, deterring predators. The spray contains organic compounds causing the foul odor, which can stick to surfaces and pets. Taking quick action is the best way to effectively deal with the smell of skunk spray. Understanding these components helps in choosing the right product to eliminate the persistent odor from your pet’s fur.
Liquid dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda are effective at eliminating skunk spray because they work together to break down and neutralize the oil-based compounds present in the skunk’s spray. Skunk spray contains sulfur compounds that create an unpleasant odor. The dish soap helps to emulsify and break down the skunk oil, making it easier to wash away. Hydrogen peroxide acts as a dissolvent, further breaking down the sulfur compounds and neutralizing the smell. Baking soda helps to absorb and neutralize the skunk scent.
Throw your clothes in the washing machine and use a mixture of your regular laundry detergent and half a cup of baking soda.
Nope. You can use it for any animal that comes into contact with a skunk.
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My dog looks just like yours – ( the one that looks like a Heeler with a different face color than body). She was adopted in Illinois and now lives with me in California.
I found your site when I was looking up what possible kind puppy my dog could be , our what we thought was heeler , Basenji mix looks just like your dog !
I found your website after getting a DNA test back for my dog (who looks like a heeler/German shepherd mix) and finding out that she’s really a dachsund/malamute/rotty/healer/corgi. I’ve been google image searching combinations of those random breeds and just wanted to say that your Dach-Chow is adorable!
If you’re reading this your canine buddy has probably had a close encounter with a ticked off skunk and you are wondering how you will ever get that skunk smell out of your dog.
Wish I’d had this info back when my dog was sprayed in the ’80s. I actually did end up crushing two 28-ounce cans of plum tomatoes (no tomato juice in my pantry that night either) onto my poor skunk-sprayed pup. (The tomato remedy is highly overrated by the way.) The internet is a great thing. Thanks for sharing – I’ll keep the recipe on file.