How To Get Skunk Smell Out Of A Car

So maybe you left your windows open last night, and a curious skunk got in and maybe he hit the horn and scared his little self. However it happened, here you are with a skunky car. What to do now??? I have heard of many time consuming home remedies for removing skunk smell from cars and I will share some with you that worked for me. However, there are some great products out there that work quickly to remove skunk odor from vehicles. Not only do they work, but they are eco friendly too!

Baking Soda, Peroxide and Dawn Dish Detergent(or any other degreasing detergent)

These are items most people have on hand in the house. If you don’t have them, they are inexpensive, but I would recommend walking to the nearest store, rather than driving in your skunked up car. Otherwise you will be cleaning yourself and your clothes as well.

Here is what you will need:

1 Quart of Hydrogen Peroxide

1/4 cup of Baking soda

2 teaspoons of dish detergent

1 Large open topped basin

Method of removal:

In your open topped basin, pour the baking soda in first, followed by the hydrogen peroxide. Let it foam, then add the dish detergent. Mix well. Using a sponge, get the car seats and surfaces wet, let it sit for several minutes, then blot dry with clean cloth or paper towels. Repeat as necessary, until that nasty skunk smell is gone.

NOTE

Be sure to mix and use ingredients immediately. The foaming action of the Hydrogen Peroxide allows the mixture to really get into fabrics and dispel the oils from the skunk spray. However, DO NOT MIX INGREDIENTS IN CLOSED CONTAINERS. The chemical reaction of the ingredients can cause containers to explode.

This is a tried and true method, but it takes time and energy. The upside is that not only will this remedy remove skunk smell from cars, it can be used on people too! The same recipe can be used as a shampoo for people and pets!

This method can also be used to remove skunk odor from car undercarriages. Lets say Pepe was looking for his love, and stepped into the path of your oncoming vehicle. Now the outside of your car smells like skunk. Just mix up a large batch of your homemade skunk odor remover, and douse your undercarriage, wheels and grill with the product. Let it air dry, then rinse and dry again.

Now, here is another remedy just for leather interior.

MURPHY’S OIL SOAP

The great thing about Murphy’s Oil is that it is gentle, yet effective, and perfect for removing skunk odor from leather. The process is simple as well. The reason Murphy’s oil is effective is because it contains Sodium Tallate and Lauramidopropylamine Oxide, both of which are cleaning agents that dispel the oil from skunk spray.

What you will need:

1 Bucket

Dish detergent

Murphy’s oil soap

1 Sponge

I clean cloth

METHOD:

First put a generous amount of dish detergent in the bucket and fill it with hot water. Using the sponge, pre clean and rinse the leather, drying it with the cloth afterwards. Then, empty the bucket, and pour in a few tablespoons of Murphy’s Oil. Fill the bucket enough to dilute the Murphy’s Oil, and use the cloth to wipe the leather with the diluted product. Let it dry.

And that is it! A simple home remedy to rid your car of skunk smell!!

Home Remedy’s not enough or too labor intensive?

Sometimes we are just not up for scrubbing and rinsing and sweating, so we turn to products on the market. Thank goodness there are ready to use odor removers out there for those of us too busy(or lazy) to do the manual labor ourselves. Here are a few that I recommend:

SKUNK OFF

This is an eco friendly easy to use product. It works to eliminate the odor causing oils in skunk spray. It can be used in-doors and out, in the washing machine, on people and pets. It safely removes skunk odor permanently from upholstery, carpets, bedding or clothing. Just spray it on, work it in, and rinse thoroughly. It can also be used with a fogger! Amazing!!! Skunk Off can be found online at many stores. Look for Skunk Off - 32 oz Spray, or ask your vet if he or she has a supply at the office.

ODOR MUTE C

What an amazing skunk odor removal product! It comes in a powder form, which you can mix with water, use, and save the rest for later. It has absolutely no smell, so you can tell immediately that it works. All you have to do is mix up a batch, spray it or sponge it on whatever you want to clean, be it a carpet or a pet, and rinse off. Odor Mute C is concentrated, and uses enzymes to eliminate the odor causing oils, not just masking them. Also eco friendly, Odor Mute C has a die hard following. People who have used it once, keep on using it! You can buy Odor Mute C online. Look for Odormute Unscented - 5 pound

I hope these suggestions are useful to all of you out there wondering how to get skunk smell out of a car. Most of these methods can be used on other surfaces and pets too. Good luck with your skunk battles!!