Remedies for Skunk Smell

Humans are naturally inquisitive, and skunks are naturally defensive. Put these two personalities together and more often than not, a person is going to be sprayed by a scared skunk. Unfortunately, the smell cannot simply be washed off with soap and water. There are a few simple remedies, however, to get rid of that potent skunk smell, including the ever-popular tomato juice bath.

  1. Orange, Lemon or Tomato Bath

    • If you have been sprayed by a skunk, fruit with a lot of acidity is the perhaps the best remedy to help remove the smell from your body. Throw five oranges into a blender with a couple drops of liquid soap. Use the pulpy liquid as you would use regular shower gel. This same technique also applies to lemon. Adding two cans of tomato paste to your bath water will also help.

    Baking Soda Solution

    • If your fruit bath does not do the trick, try this solution made from baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. Mix together one quart of hydrogen peroxide, one quarter cup baking soda and a few splashes of liquid dish soap. Use this mixture instead of shower gel.

    Products on the Market

    • There are a few products on the market that can be used instead of these home remedies. However, you should be careful as to where and how you use them since they may contain chemicals that are harmful if ingested. If you live in an area with a lot of skunks, it's not a bad idea to have something such as Odor Away in the house since tomato juice and car upholstery do not mix. Also, if your pet has a tendency to irritate skunks, veterinarians often have a shampoo called Skunk-Off available for purchase. Other products you can consider are Niloder and PPP Skunk Odor Shampoo.