The hydrogen peroxide and baking soda will break down the sulfur in the skunk oil and help to eliminate the smell. The detergent will break down the oil itself. [1] X Research source
Be very careful not to get the solution in your eyes or mouth, as it will burn your eyes and is not safe to eat. Don’t leave the solution on your hair for too long, as it can bleach your hair!
Wash your skin and hair with the solution again if necessary, and rinse the solution off before washing with soap.
In inclement weather, keep your pet in a garage if possible, or confined to a single room in the house. A bathroom is a good choice, because that way you can bathe your pet in the shower.
You can use white vinegar in place of the hydrogen peroxide if necessary, but it’s not as effective at eliminating the odor. Despite its popularity, tomato juice isn’t very effective at removing skunk smell. Similarly, air fresheners and other products will likely only cover the smell temporarily, but won’t actually get rid of it. [3] X Research source You can also try commercial skunk odor eliminators instead, but this homemade remedy is the most effective.
Don’t rinse your pet before applying the solution, as that will dilute the solution and make it less effective. The hydrogen peroxide may bleach your pet’s fur, but it is safe to use and won’t damage their skin. [5] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
If you do happen to get solution in your pet’s face or eyes, rinse the area thoroughly with water.
When your pet is stink-free and you’ve cleaned anything else that smells, discard the homemade odor eliminator solution. The mixture is volatile and shouldn’t be stored for later use. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source The ingredients in the mixture can all safely be poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet. [9] X Research source
For delicate clothes, soak them in a mixture of one part vinegar and four parts water.
In winter or when it’s not possible to dry your clothes outside, dry the clothes in a dryer. Don’t put the clothes in the dryer until you’re sure the smell is gone, otherwise you may set the smell and make it even harder to remove. [13] X Research source
If you have multiple fans, set up one inside in front of a window to blow in fresh air from outside, and set up another at a different window to blow stinky air from the house out.
Use only minimal amounts of liquid on wood floors, and rinse the floors with plain water after applying the bleach solution. Only use this mixture on color-fast surfaces. Don’t use this solution to clean furniture, fabrics, people, or pets.
Steam cleaners can often be rented from grocery or hardware stores if you don’t have one of your own.
Alternatively, you can call a professional company to neutralize the odor with chemicals. [22] X Expert Source Regina DeCorteResidential Cleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 11 February 2022.
