Eliminate Skunk Odor

While untreated skunk odor usually goes away on its own, it can take weeks for the stench to disappear fully. Read this article for do-it-yourself instructions on how to eliminate skunk odor from your pets and furniture.

Steps

Treating a Dog

  1. Keep the dog outside, if possible. This way, the odor won't spread to the furniture and carpets in your home.
  2. Wash your dog outside. Immediately after the dog has been sprayed, wash it outside using a garden hose and the following homemade solution:
    • 1/4 cup of baking soda, 2 teaspoons of a dish washing product, and two pints of hydrogen peroxide. Mix these in a bucket that you can dispose of after use.
    • Change into old clothes that you don't mind getting rid of, and wear a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands.
    • Use a sponge or washcloth to scrub in the solution. Be sure to keep the solution out of your dog's eyes and nose, as it can cause irritation.
  3. Leave the solution in for 3-4 minutes before rinsing. You may need to repeat this process a few times to eliminate the odor completely.
    • Be sure to thoroughly rinse your dog with lukewarm water to completely remove the solution, and dry your dog when you are finished.
    • Wash your dog with a cream rinse after about one week. This will help restore the moisture to your dog's coat.

Treating Outdoor Furniture

  1. Treat the odor as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to fully remove the smell.
  2. Mix one quart of white vinegar and 3/4 cup of baking soda. Use a sponge or towel to thoroughly scrub the mixture into your furniture.
    • You can also clean outdoor furniture with bleach. Combine one part bleach with nine parts water.
  3. Let the mixture sit for 3-5 minutes. Use a hose to spray down the furniture and let it dry. You may need to repeat this process a few times before the odor goes away completely.

Treating Indoor Furniture and Carpets

  1. Sprinkle some baking soda on the carpet or rug. Vacuum the area thoroughly.
  2. Sprinkle a quarter cup of baking soda onto furniture. Use a sponge or towel to rub in the baking soda. This will absorb some odor and help cover up the smell.
    • Leave your windows open to air out furniture and carpets, and consider spraying your house with an indoor air freshener or odor eliminator.

Conventional Odor-Eliminating Products

  1. Consider using a commercial product for eliminating skunk odor. There are plenty of cleaning sprays and solutions designed specifically for eliminating skunk odor from furniture, clothes and pets.
    • These products are not always necessary, but if you have already tried a do-it-yourself cleaning method that didn't work, you can either wait for the odor to go away on its own or invest in a commercial cleaning product to speed up the process.

Tips

  • Dogs with longer hair tend to hold on to skunk odor for longer than those with very short hair.
  • Prevent skunks from entering your yard by not leaving food outside and making sure that garbage cans are securely covered.
  • If you don't want to use hydrogen peroxide you can also try washing your skunked sprayed dog with any mild detergent pet shampoo and warm water creating lots of lather. If the dog is small and manageable, use the set tub or a shower, if the dog is 40 pounds or more put him on a chain or leash in the yard so you have complete control them. Its important to use a detergent type shampoo instead of soap because the detergent breaks up the oil that is carrying the odor and makes it easier to eliminate.
  • Treating the odor as soon as possible will yield the best results. It will be much more difficult to remove the odor once the skunk spray has dried.

Warnings

  • Check your dog for bites, scratches and eye redness or discharge to make sure it wasn't injured. If you find any injuries, take your dog to the veterinarian before treating the odor.

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Sources and Citations

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