Skunk

Conepatus

Removing the smell of skunk

The following Skunk Smell Remover Formula is effective in removing skunk smell from sprayed victims, as proven in an episode of MythBusters

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• 1 U.S. Quart (approx 1 litre) of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
• 1/4 cup (approx 45ml) baking soda.
• 1 teaspoon (approx 5ml) liquid soap.

Directions: Mix together at time of usage, and apply foaming mixture to affected areas.

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How it works: The oxygen molecules emitted by the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda reaction deactivate the smell molecules by binding to them and rendering them inert.

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The same thing can be accomplished by holding your pet or yourself in smoke (not FLAMES) from a campfire or grassfire. The ions in the smoke neutralize the odor-producing chemical.

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Folklore also claims tomato juice to be a potent skunk smell remover. Tomato juice has no chemical effect on the skunk smell, but it does have a distinct odor of its own. According to the Indiana University School of Medicine:

Related Topics:
Tomato - Indiana University

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:The smell receptors in your nose bind the skunk odor so tightly that eventually you stop smelling it so much. This is called "olfactory fatigue". At that point, the tomato juice you've just bathed your pet with is a new smell that your nose is not used to yet. After a while, though, the tomato juice smell will go away and that skunk odor will come back. http://www.soundmedicine.iu.edu/segment.php4?seg=213

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