Prep first
Before you start
- Gather everything first, since the peroxide mixture has to be made and used right away.
- Pull on rubber gloves before you handle the dog or mix anything.
- Remove loose debris, like dirt and leaves, from the coat and the carpet before you apply any liquid.
- Find each sprayed spot in the house so you know where to work first.
Skunk spray is oily, so it clings to fur, skin, carpet and wood, and it can linger for weeks or months if you leave it alone. The smell is strongest right after the spray, so starting soon makes the biggest difference. Check the dog's eyes first and keep it outside while you get ready.
Getting skunk smell out of a dog starts with a quick wash in a peroxide and baking soda mixture. Getting skunk smell out of the house or carpet takes that same mixture plus plenty of fresh air. A scent can cover the odor for a moment, but only neutralizing it makes it go away.
8 items
What you'll need
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- 3% hydrogen peroxideThe main neutralizer; use the mild antiseptic strength only. (opens Amazon)
- Baking sodaMakes up part of the mixture and helps lift the odor. (opens Amazon)
- Liquid dishwashing soapHelps the mixture cut through the oils that carry the smell. (opens Amazon)
- Rubber glovesProtect your hands from the mixture. (opens Amazon)
- Pet shampooFinishes the dog's wash after the mixture is rinsed out.
- TowelsFor towel-drying the dog and keeping it warm while it dries.
- Open bowl or bucketMix in an open container, since a closed one can burst. (opens Amazon)
- Medicine dropperLets you put the mixture on small carpet spots without soaking them. (opens Amazon)
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Move the dog and open the windows
Keep the sprayed dog outside while you get ready, so the smell isn't carried indoors. Open the windows and turn on fans to move fresh air through the house. Check the dog's eyes, and if they look red or irritated, flush them right away with cool water.
Careful. Keep the mixture out of the eyes and mouth at every step.
Step 2 of 6
Mix the solution right before use
Put on rubber gloves, then mix 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap in an open container. Use it immediately, while it is still fresh.
Tip. Use the mild 3% antiseptic, not the stronger solution sold for bleaching hair.
Careful. Never mix this ahead of time or store it in a closed container, because the released oxygen can burst it.
Step 3 of 65 minutes
Wash the dog with the mixture
Rub the mixture through the fur right after the spray. Leave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and repeat if the smell is still there.
Careful. Don't leave the mixture on longer than 5 minutes, since peroxide can bleach fur.
Step 4 of 6
Shampoo, rinse and dry the dog
Follow with pet shampoo and rinse thoroughly again. Towel-dry the dog, then keep it warm while the coat dries.
Step 5 of 6
Treat the carpet spots
Test the peroxide mixture on a hidden part of the carpet first, since it is a bleach. Then apply it to each sprayed spot, flush the spot with water and blot it dry.
Step 6 of 6
Air out the house
Keep the windows open and fans running, since fresh air carries the odor out of the house. The smell usually fades over several weeks, so be patient with the last traces.
What makes the job easier
Products that help
Keep a bottle of pet shampoo and a box of baking soda on hand, since the mixture is quick to make when you need it.
OdoBan Odor Eliminator & Disinfectant Concentrate
Skout's Honor Odor Eliminator
How we picked these: each product is made for this kind of odor or surface, its maker doesn't warn against using it on skunk smell, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely before you use it again.
How to tell it's really done →A faint smell often fades as everything dries and airs out; give it a day before a second round.
Find the guide for your stain →Heavy grime or a lingering smell usually needs a second round once it's fully dry.
See what to do for what you're seeing →When to call a professional →How to tell it's done
The dog and the spots are clean when the smell is gone once everything is fully dry, since humidity can make it seem to come back. If it's still there, repeat the treatment on that spot.
If there is a stain too
Related guides
A smell usually has a stain or a spill behind it. These guides cover the cleanup in detail:
What changes for yours
Adjust for who or what got sprayed
Dogs
A dog sprayed in the mouth can have skunk breath for over a week, even after a good wash. Expect that, and don't treat the breath as a sign the wash failed.
Dogs are the case where speed matters most, since the coat holds the oils that carry the smell.
Skin and people
Wash skin with the peroxide mixture, rinse thoroughly, and repeat if needed. Moisturize afterward.
Don't use regular soap on skin, since it can make the odor worse. Once you're clean, check your hair and clothes too, since the odor can cling to them.
Clothes
Don't pour the peroxide mixture straight onto clothes, since it can discolor them. Add it to the wash cycle to dilute it, and wash in cold water with a strong detergent.
Hot water and dryer heat can set the odor, so air-dry the clothes outside. If the dog rubbed the smell onto you, wash your clothes with regular detergent plus a half-cup of baking soda.
Carpet
Use a medicine dropper so the mixture stays on each spot instead of soaking through to the backing. Don't flood a large area with it.
Work from the edges of each spot toward the center without rubbing, then blot. Repeat on a spot only if the odor is still there once it has dried.
Wood or concrete
On wood or concrete where the skunk sprayed, mix one cup of bleach with one gallon of water and use it only on that spot. Bleach may stain the surface, so test a hidden area first.
Porous surfaces like these can need more than one treatment before the odor is gone.
Prevention
Keep the smell from coming back
Once the smell is gone, the best upkeep is removing what drew the skunk in. Secure trash, cover window wells, and feed pets indoors or pick up their food right away.
Watch the area under the house, decks and woodpiles, since a faint musky smell there is a sign to look closer. There's no need to repeat the full clean unless the smell comes back, and then you can start with the spot where it's strongest.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies get rid of the smell?
Several of the cleaners in this method are already in your kitchen, but not all of them belong here. The rows below show what each one does for skunk smell and where it can cause trouble. Skip any that won't help with skunk smell, since some cause trouble on the dog or carpet.
Works3Helps1Skip2Avoid1
Chemical safety
Never mix these
Some products in this guide react dangerously with each other. Use them one at a time and rinse with water in between.
Chlorine bleach + Hydrogen peroxide (3%)
Washington State's health department says bleach reacts with hydrogen peroxide, and Clorox says not to mix bleach with other household chemicals.
If they mix by accident: Don't use the mixture; ventilate the room and avoid breathing fumes or touching it; call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for disposal advice or if anyone feels unwell.
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't wait for the smell to fade
Left alone, skunk smell can last weeks or months on a dog because the oils cling to the fur. Starting the wash soon after the spray gives the mixture the best chance.
Don't cover the smell with a scent
Air fresheners and perfumes can mask the odor for a while, but they don't neutralize it. The smell can return once the scent fades.
Don't skip the rinse
Peroxide can bleach fur, so any solution left in the coat keeps working on it. Rinse thoroughly with water before you shampoo, and again after.
Don't stop after one wash
Some odor can remain after the first round, especially on a dog's skin or in porous spots. Repeat the wash or spot treatment before deciding the job is done.
Troubleshooting
If the smell comes back
Pick what you're seeing:
The smell comes back after a few days
Humidity can make the odor seem to return, so check again once the air is dry. Porous materials like drywall, concrete or unpainted wood may need several treatments or removal, so treat those spots again first.
A faint smell stays in the house
Replace the furnace or A/C air filter after a few treatments. That is the next place to check when a faint smell stays.
The smell gets stronger instead of fading
A skunk may have died on the property. Wear gloves, long sleeves and pants, eye protection and a dust mask while you remove the carcass, then clean the spot with fresh mixture.
A faint musky smell under the house
A skunk may have taken up residence in a den under the building. Check for residents before you seal the den.
When to call a professional
If the smell gets stronger instead of fading, a dead skunk may be the cause, and a removal service can handle the carcass safely. Calling one is a reasonable choice if you'd rather not handle it yourself.
Questions
What is the best skunk smell remover?
The 3% hydrogen peroxide mixture is the best-supported option here, because the peroxide converts the odorous compounds into odorless acids. Baking soda and dish soap help the mixture reach the oils that carry the smell.
Does tomato juice work for skunk smell?
No, tomato juice only tires your nose, so the smell seems weaker while it stays. Tomato juice with vinegar only reduces the stench and doesn't neutralize the molecules, and the peroxide mixture works better and is less messy.
How long does skunk smell last in a house?
In a house, the odor usually fades over several weeks. It can seem to come back when the humidity rises, which is normal while it finishes fading.
Can skunk spray make a person or dog sick?
Skunk spray is rarely lethal, but it can cause temporary blindness, nausea and irritation. The rabies virus is not transmitted through the musk.
Can I use an ozone generator to get rid of the smell?
Skip ozone generators: they're marketed for deodorizing, but they raise safety and effectiveness questions. Open windows and fans are the safer way to ventilate the house.
Does fogging a deodorant help?
Fogging helps when the odor is spread widely, such as in a crawl space or basement. A 16 oz batch of atomized solution can treat about 1,500 square feet, and you shouldn't mix deodorants with other chemicals unless the label allows it.
Start from the bigger picture
More odor guides
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.