how do you get rid of skunk odor from clothes?

I almost got spray by a skunk today while walking my dog.

According to the skunk guy on a PBS show, if I remember right, you can use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and a touch of mild detergent.

Looks like my memory isn't shot yet, how the hell did that happen?

Searching the web turned up:
- 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide 2%
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 2 teaspoons liquid soap (Dawn dish-washing soap works best)

From:
http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-i-remove-skunk-odor-from-a-dog.htm

I have never used it but the skunk guy was shown mixing it up and using it on his dog.

Tomato sauce

I HAVE used this mixture/recipe and yes, it does work. I had two skunks take up residence in my basement window well; it took care of the smell so that we could sleep that night.

The skunks, by the way, were humanely trapped by an expert and released elsewhere.

This is the concoction I carry when camping -- only my recipe is 1/3 cup of baking soda.

Fortunately haven't needed to use it but we've had many skunk encounters.

DO NOT PRE-MIX this stuff. Carry the ingredients separately and mix only if you are applying it immediately. The mixture will fizz and, I've been advised, explode if sealed in a tight container.

BLAST!!!!!

How fast will this explosion take place and give projected splatter patterns.

I would put the clothes into a large green plastic bag and place them in a barrel out by the curb.
Honest!

Scafool is right, dump the clothes, they aren't worth it.

Tomato sauce doesn't work, and the combined odor of skunk and tomato will gag you. I know.

The hydrogen peroxide (3%) mix does work (use 1/4 cup baking soda, not 1/2), but you have to use a FRESHLY OPENED bottle of peroxide, not a previously opened one. I keep one handy just for this particular emergency. Apply to skin or fur and let sit for five minutes or so, then rinse. By the time you decide you need a second application, you will need to make up a fresh batch, it 'dies' that soon. Don't forget the dishwashing detergent, as that helps it stick to the skin/fur instead of just rolling off.

Grab an old towel that you can sacrifice and wipe off any skunk gland material that you can (man or dog). Wear latex gloves, the longer the better.

This recipe works well on people skin and dog hair, but don't get it into anyone's eyes, nose or mouth. Apply to the face (man or dog) with a sacrificial washcloth.

Also, even skunks don't like the smell they produce! If you need to trap them, use a trap that is short enough that they can't raise their tail in it. They don't want to get that awful stuff on themselves, so they refrain from spraying. If you can't get that kind of trap, approach the trap with a largish piece of clear plastic tarp in front of you, and place it over and around the trap.

Sue, the feral cat trapper (with occasional tagged/chipped cats, opossums, raccoons, skunks and one Chihuahua)

For the dog- D&L or other hand cleaner/ degreaser at auto store works best. They have mineral spirits are water soluable and work on the oily elements of the spray. Really remarkably effective.

Susan,

That's the best first-hand recitation of skunk stink remediation that I've ever read.

You could market your own skunk kit.

I hadn't thought about the gloves, will be throwing a pair into the bag with the ingredients.

Thanks.

Thanks, Dagny! Never thought of a skunk kit!

"Sue's Skunk-Packaging System"!

Well, most people don't want to package skunks. How about:


Sue's
Stop Skunk-Stink Kit



Instant hit with dog and camping supplies retailers. You can augment Sue's skunk line of products with a post-remediation dog cologne.


:-)

Throw in a pack of hair dye to deal with that post peroxide streaky blond look and you might have a winner.

Edit:
You guys might actually be onto something.

"Throw in a pack of hair dye to deal with that post peroxide streaky blond look and you might have a winner."

Talk about multi-functional!

Sue

Skunk Line Products, that is a really catchy company name Dagny gave you too.

The recipe given by Art in Fl. works very well. And yes, it does have to be mixed just prior to use. A more portable de-stinker is Massengill douche, comes in a handy container and works like a charm. Haven't had much luck with other brands, though.

FINDING the powdered Massingill douche is the trick. I have a box of it that I hoard for skunk emergencies. I don't think they even make it anymore.

True story about this stuff:

My boss's neighbor was a hairy German guy (when I say hairy, I mean he had a PELT!). He was out watering his vegetable garden at dusk and surprised a skunk. Since he was only wearing shorts and sandals, he took the full blast in the chest.

He hosed off the worst of it immediately, then headed for the shower. Soap and water did nothing. Tomato juice did nothing. He was looking for the bleach in the laundry room when his wife came home. Eyes watering, she told him to get back in the shower and she would mix something up that should help.

She mixed up two batches of the Massingill powder and said, "Pour this all over you and wait a few minutes, then rinse it off".

They went to a party that night and no one mentioned any odor, but he said it was stuck in his nose for several days.

Sue's


Stop Skunk-Stink Douche

By Skunkline Products

!???!

Another multi-use item!

But wait...that's not all! Call NOW and we'll DOUBLE the order! That's two Stop Skunk douches, two pairs of gloves, and two packs of hair dye -any color- as long as it's black! Operators are standing by.

I have carefully read the posts to date and found their information interesting and informative.

However, I am shocked that the accumulated preparedness wisdom and experienced wisenhiemers of our motley crew missed this little gem:


The best way to deal with skunk-funk is to:

LEAVE THE SKUNK ALONE!!!



There, I've had my smarta$$ moment for the day and I can sleep happy now...

"The best way to deal with skunk-funk is to: LEAVE THE SKUNK ALONE!!!"

So, you don't think skunks get into bad moods and feel they just have to spray the next creature they meet?

Do you think a very quick apology would help?

Sue

I wonder how the old time skunk herders dealt with ornery maverick skunks?

I was just remembering a neighbour of ours when we were kids.
He had pet skunks which the vet had removed the stink glands from.
They were actually nice pets.

Sometimes you aren't the one in control:

Several years ago M'Lady and I were at a campground with friends. It was fairly late, she and I were sitting at a picnic table, the friends had already turned in.

We were chatting quietly when she made a small nod directing me to the side. I turned my head slowly, and there was a pair of skunks foraging around the far side of the site. We hadn't left garbage out, they were just checking to be sure.

Then I felt fur brush my leg.

VERY quietly, I whispered, "Do not move. There is one under the table." Her eyes got big, then suddenly got even BIGGER. The skunk had brushed her leg, too.

You never saw two people sit so still, waiting for that third skunk to finally wander out from under that table.

Beautiful creatures. Beautiful, but sneaky.

Thirtysome years ago, I was a patrolman at a campground. I was making a midnight foot patrol, and saw six guys sitting at their picnic table, inside a screentent. Their Coleman lantern was on, and as I got closer, I could see that they were all holding playing cards...but no one was moving or talking. Nothing--just sitting stock still. I was trying to figure out what kind of cardgame they were playing, when I got close enough to see the skunk that had wandered in under the flap. It was under the table eating all the dropped Doritos, etc. I didn't hang around to see if the skunk made it out OK, but I didn't smell anything from that site the next day...Sure was good for a laugh.

The campground we frequent was inundated with skunks earlier this summer -- I've never seen so many. Every evening at dusk we'd see them enter the campground from all directions. People were having them show up under the chairs they were sitting in. My dog and I were walking up a trail a couple hours before sunset and when one appeared over the hill scampering down the trail at us. I had no where to go so started talking REALLY LOUDLY and it went off the trail.

Two consecutive nights at 1:30a I was woken out of a sound sleep thinking one had sprayed through an open window. It was such a strong smell.

That's why I now carry the skunk stink remediation recipe at all times. A couple of doses.

I've seen lots of bears up there -- including mamas and babies -- and snakes.

Nothing up there is scarier than a skunk.

Except maybe some of the AT hikers. ;-)

Careful how much of the hydrogen peroxide you buy in advance for your skunk stink remedy.

The NYC terrorist plot for which indictments were issued today, centers on hydrogen peroxide-based bombs. I bought four quarts this past month. Wonder how much it takes to be on watch list?

These guys apparently were buying it from beauty salons.


http://wcbstv.com/breakingnewsalerts/najibullah.zazi.indicted.2.1205295.html

"Of particular concern to us is a family of explosives called peroxide-based explosives," he says in the video.

It's part of the now-nationwide alert as police try to locate whoever might have been working with terror suspect Zazi. Police are being told to watch for any large quantities of hydrogen peroxide, drain cleaner, acetone, or nail polish remover – various types of acids – and large quantities of ammonia nitrate or urea fertilizer.

The use of H2O2 in strengths up to 12% are common for bleaching hair.

The stuff you buy for wound cleansing (etc) is only 3%. I have the feeling that the 3% probably isn't too dangerous, and won't put you on any lists of suspected terrorists.

Sue