How do you remove skunk odor?

Answer 1

Inside house:

1. wash affected wall, floor, etc. areas with water containing either chlorine bleach or vinegar (acetic acid) or

2. Use a commercial odor-removing compound such as:

• "Skunk-off" aerosol; get through Vet Clinic, or catalog of dog supplies through dog kennel or pet shop.

• "Nil-Odor" made by Dow Chemical; follow directions and put couple drops in water, and put on furnace filter to circulate air through; can put on dogs as directed.

• "Odor-Away" either liquid (use few drops) or aerosol.

• Rexall "C-D Deodorant" aerosol, can spray furnishings, drapes, etc.

These odor-removers act to break down the oil and so remove the odor or neutralize it.

3. Spraying with aerosol or putting drops around will neutralize odor in air generally; may still smell for awhile as you put nose right down in drapes, carpets, etc. but will gradually dissipate.

Outside house on bare wood, concrete, soil: Get chlorinated lime water at drug store, or mix 1 cup agricultural lime in 1 gallon chlorine bleach and put on areas. BE VERY CAREFUL TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS - don't get on skin, clothing, etc as it will burn (is a caustic solution), and will also burn grass or other vegetation.

On clothes: Launder in cool or barely lukewarm water with lots of heavy, built laundry detergent, plus a de greaser and some water conditioner (like Calgon) if water is hard. Don't use very warm or hot water as oil will be released in steam and odor will come up out of tub.

[Info from the Home Maintenance And Repair Database at the Michigan State University website]

More tips from FAQ Farmers:

• Trying using vinegar first.

• Soak in tomato sauce.

You could soak in Tomato Juice!

Another view

The best way to get rid of skunk smell.

1. 1 bottle of Hydrogen peroxide 500ml (available at drug stores and most grocery stores)
2. 1/2 cup of baking soda
3. 1 tablespoon of any dish soap

Method

Mix this in an open container (it will bubble)

decant into a spray bottle

Spray on the pets dry fur and leave to soak for 5 minutes NOTE: do not get this solution in your pets eyes, it can burn.

Rinse the pet with clean warm water.

re-apply the spray solution with a little extra soap and rub into fur

Rinse well again and dry pet.

This remedy is absolutely the best. It mimics the very expensive sprays available from the veterinarian and pet supply stores.

Note: Tomato juice no longer contains the acid needed to remove the skunk oils thus the smell. At over $1.00 per 14 oz can, it would take more than 20 cans to bathe a medium sized dog and with poor results.
I have heard (and used) tomato juice to remove skunk odor from my pet.

Answer 2

Tomato juice works great, give the dog and or cat a bath in warm water and pour tomato juice on the entire coat, let sit for a few minutes. Might need repeating depending on the severity of the spray. For clothes soak in a sink of tomato juice.