How Do You Get Rid Of Skunk Smell

Well it is that lovely time of year, Spring is here and that means so much more wildlife in our cities is out and about. Especially the skunks. Skunks are some of my favorite of the nocturnal visitors we get in the Spring. Their mating seasons are usually late April and into June which is usually around the time of year a lot of poor unsuspecting animals can get skunked. Which brings up the age old question: how do you get rid of skunk smell?

Since a skunks mating season is between late April to June this is usually peak time for you and your pets to have run ins with them. The sulfuric oily spray of a skunk has a range of up to 10 feet, and its odour can be sensed for up to 1.5 miles. Making it a huge struggle for many of us to handle (though I don’t mind it for some reason), and get rid of.

How Do You Get Rid Of Skunk Smell

So How Do You Get Rid Of Skunk Smell

There are a few different approaches to effectively get rid of skunk smell on your pet and on clothing items. There are a few things you need to consider before you begin the cleaning process:

  1. How/where will you clean your effected pet or clothing items.
  2. Remember that skunk spray is oil based as that is important for however your attempt to clean anything.
  3. Skunk smell travels and attaches to things so you may want to think twice before bringing your pet or yourself back the house without a little prep before hand.
  4. When cleaning skunk smell out of clothing or fabric items NEVER dry your items in your dryer – and especially not on any HEAT settings as this can bake the smell into those items making them unwearable. It is best to air/hang dry anything, making sure to wash out your machine before washing anything else in it.
  5. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” in this situation. Any animal that feels cornered, especially during mating season, will defend itself. Keep your animals on leash and be aware of spaces in your yards that may have become a temporary home for a skunk family.

What Products Get Rid Of Skunk Smell

Most, if not all, of these products can be found at your local pet store; our favorite being Global Pet Foods Burnaby!

Enviro Fresh
The Enviro Fresh Odor Out: Skunk is a great option, especially if you want something to have in the car for emergencies. It is simple to spray on and if the worst case scenario happens you’ll be happy you had this before putting the your dog in the car. I have found this spray is also great for wet dog smell in vehicles as well as cat accidents around the house.

How Do You Get Rid Of Skunk Smell
Image shows Skout’s Honor at Global Pet Foods Burnaby Location

Skout’s Honor
Skout’s Honor Professional Strength Skunk Odor Eliminator is my favorite option. Coming in a pour out bottle it is perfect for helping to clean that smell out of your pooch. With it being professional grade you will be able to fight back against the smell with ease. Adding a touch of this to your washing machine along with regular detergents can be a heaven send when it comes to getting skunk smell out of clothing and fabric items.

Nature’s Miracle
Nature’s Miracle Skunk & Odor Remover is a dependable choice for all things pet messes, easiest of the brands to find across all different pet store locations this one might be your best bet. With its signature Nature’s Miracle scent you’ll be pleased with its results when it comes to getting the skunk out of your pet.

Nature Clean
Nature Clean Stink Bombs are amazing if you need something to get super tough smells out of clothing and fabrics. NOT something you can use directly on any pet, but perfect for getting tough smells out of things your pet has come in contact with. Using one of these in a carpet or spot cleaner is an incredible way to get smells out of couches, cars etc. BONUS you can buy these ones off amazon.

How About Home Remedies For Removing Skunk Smell?

Now if your funds aren’t ideal at the time in which you or your animal gets skunked there are still a few things you can try. There are lots of options using things you’d commonly already have in the house for cleaning or in your cabinets.

Tomato Sauce
Now when it comes to your pets, if you are using this method, you will want to make sure the tomato sauce is pure tomato and doesn’t have any ingredients in the list that could be harmful to them if ingested.

Vinegar + Baking Soda
Throwing in a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to your load of laundry; or as an all natural way to get skunk out of your pets fur, is a great option. Some people do express that spraying the vinegar and leaving it on for a few moments before the initial wash, is a great help.

Hydrogen Peroxide Mix
Another suggested method for removing skunk smell from your pet or your clothes is a hydrogen peroxide mix. Simply mix about 1 quart hydrogen peroxide with a ¼ cup baking soda and 1 teaspoon dish-soap.

How Do You Get Rid Of Skunk Smell

What Else You Should Know About Skunks

As adorable and sweet as skunks are for the most part there are a few things you should take into consideration in case your pet or you have a bad experience.

  1. Not only are these little guys stinky they are also notorious diggers. Here in B.C. where many lawns suffer with chafer beetle, these little guys love to rip up lawns to find yummy grubby friends.
  2. If you do have a veggie garden these little guys might be a bit of trouble but making sure your crops are growing up high or are covered at night appropriately will help. These little guys can’t reach too high up on plant stocks.
  3. Even though skunks have very poor eyesight they make up for it in their sense of smell. Something that you can use to your advantage in regards to deterring them from certain spaces. Smells that have been shown to bother skunks are: citrus, ammonia, mothballs, strong air fresheners, and peppermint oils.
  4. They can carry contagious diseases that are worth concern and they are as follows: rabies, canine distemper, canine hepatitis, intestinal roundworm, and leptospirosis.
  5. If you do have chickens they are known robbers of eggs and sometimes a chicken here or there.

I hope this helps you get rid of skunk smell if ever you are unfortunate enough to have to deal with it. It can happen to any of us, stay safe out there and give a nice distance between you, your pets and the wildlife!

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