How to Get Skunk Smell Out of Clothes

If you have come in contact with a skunk, you will find that they are such adorable little creatures, well, until they spray you with their skunk musk — the most horrible thing you would ever smell. And when it comes in contact with your clothes, getting the smell to wear off is a different ball game.

15 Ways to Get Skunk Smell Out of Clothes

The good news is that skunks don’t go around looking for people to spray their musk on except when triggered. Now, if you’re unlucky and get this awful smell on your clothes, it could take about a week or a little longer for it to wear off on its own.

However, if you can’t wait that long, there are simple household remedies that you can try to get the skunk smell out of your clothes. Here are 15 of them below:

1. Use Hot Water

Hot water can come in handy for getting the skunk smell out of clothes. Here is how to use hot water to get skunk smell out of clothes below:

Step 1: Put some hot water in a sink or bowl and soak the smelly clothes in it and leave for about 30 minutes.

Step 2: Make a soapy solution with regular laundry detergent and wash the clothes in the solution. Rinse with warm water and allow it to dry.

2. Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Remove Skunk Smell

Apple cider vinegar is one of the top choices for getting the strongest of smells out of your clothes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get skunk smell out of clothes below:

Step 1: Mix some warm water with a cup of apple cider vinegar in a sink or bowl to make a solution. Soak the smelly clothes in it.

Step 2: Take out the clothes and rinse with cool water. Wash and rinse the clothes to get out the apple cider vinegar smell.

Note: Repeat the process until the smell is completely off the clothes.

3. Use Acetone

Acetone is a chemical that you would find in nail polish removers; it can get rid of any smell. Here’s how to use acetone to get the skunk smell out of the clothes below:

Step 1: Make a solution with a cup of acetone and half a cup of water in a sink or bowl and soak the smelly clothes in it.

Step 2: Leave to soak for about thirty minutes. Take out the clothes and rinse with cool water. Wash and rinse the clothes to get out the acetone smell.

Note: You can repeat the process until you have your desired results.

4. Use Ethanol

Ethanol is an effective chemical to treat stains and smells. However, ensure that you are dealing with pure ethanol else, it will be less effective. Here’s how to use it below:

Step 1: Add a cup of ethanol to half a cup of water in a sink or bowl and soak the smelly clothes in it.

Step 2: Leave to soak for about thirty minutes. Take out the clothes and rinse with cool water. Wash and rinse the clothes and leave them to dry.

5. Use Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is commonly known as isopropyl alcohol and it is just as effective as ethanol in getting smells out of clothes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get the skunk smell out of your clothes using rubbing alcohol below:

Step 1: Add a cup of rubbing alcohol to half a cup of water in a sink or bowl and soak the smelly clothes in it.

Step 2: Take out the done, and rinse with cool water. Wash and rinse the clothes and leave them to dry.

6. Use baking soda

Baking soda is a household ingredient that you can use to get almost anything done including getting the skunk smell out of your clothes. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Mix baking soda and vinegar with a little amount of water to form a paste and apply it to the clothes. Leave the paste in place for at least 12 hours.

Step 2: Make sappy water with some dish soap and soak the clothes in the solution. Repeat the process if you can still perceive the smell.

7. Use Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic liquid that is found in many households and can be used for cleaning and getting rid of the smell.

However, to use hydrogen peroxide on skunk smell, you have to mix it with dish soap to activate its potency. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use hydrogen peroxide to get rid of the skunk smell below:

Step 1: Mix hydrogen peroxide and dish soap in small, but equal parts to form a solution. Spray some of the solutions on the clothes and massage them in.

Step 2: Allow it to sit for about 15 minutes, then turn the cloth inside out and repeat the process until you’re sure that the smell is rid of completely before drying. Wash with warm water and dry.

8. Use Lemon Juice

Lemon fruit will not only nourish your body, but its juice will also help get rid of the awful smells from your clothes. Here’s how to use lemon juice to get rid of the skunk smell from your clothes: mix lemon juice with water to form a solution.

Soak a clean cloth in the solution and dab the solution with the clothes with the strongest skunk smell and allow it to dry. Repeat the process if the smell isn’t off.

9. Use Charcoal

No, you do not have to spray some activated charcoal mix or rub it on your clothes. All you have to do is put the charcoal in the closet or drawers to let it absorb the skunk smell. You can leave it for as long as you’re sure the smell is completely off your clothes.

10. Use Steam

Steam works perfectly to take out wrinkles from your clothes, but it can also take care of smells on your clothes. Here is a simple method of steaming your clothes to get skunk smell out below:

Step 1: Pour some boiled water into a basin or sink. Put the smelly clothes in a polythene bag and close tightly.

Step 2: Put the polythene bag into the basin or sink filled with boiled water and leave for about 30 minutes. The clothes should smell fresh when you take them out of the polythene bag.

Note: Some fabrics like suede cannot be steamed. Also, it is recommended to turn fabrics with delicate embellishments inside out before steaming.

11. Use Crushed Aspirin

Crushed aspirin tablets work just like baking soda; it is perfect for getting rid of horrible smells in your clothes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use crushed aspirin to get rid of the skunk smell below:

Step 1: Mix some crushed aspirin with water to form a solution in a basin or sink. Put the smelly cloth into the basin and allow it to soak for about 30 minutes.

Step 2: After this, wash the cloth with a laundry detergent either by hand or with a washing machine.

12. Use Dish soap

Dish soaps are highly recommended to use because they can combat tough stains and smells out of clothes, plus they are easily available since we use them every day for regular household cleanings. To use dish soap, follow these simple steps below:

Step 1: Fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap and soak in the smelly cloth in the solution

Step 2: Leave it in for at least 10 minutes before washing. Rinse the cloth with warm water then allow it to dry.

13. Use Bleach

Bleach is an effective method for getting rid of smell and stains, but it should be noted that this method is only for white clothes because colored clothes might lose their color. To use bleach to get rid of the skunk smell, follow these simple steps listed below:

Step 1: Following the instructions on the bleach container, mix bleach with water to form a solution.

Step 2: Soak the smelly cloth into the solution. Leave the clothes in the solution for about 1-2 minutes. Rinse the cloth with clean water and leave it to dry.

14. Use Meat Tenderizer

No, you didn’t read wrong! You can use a meat tenderizer to get rid of the skunk smell on your clothes. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a meat tenderizer to get the skunk smell out of clothes:

Step 1: Wet the smelly clothes with warm water and sprinkle unseasoned meat tenderizer on them. Use your fingers or an old toothbrush to massage the meat tenderizer into the cloth.

Step 2: Wait at least an hour for the solution to set in the fabric, then wash as usual.

Note: Using a regular meat tenderizer will leave a stain, so ensure to wash properly.

15. Use Ammonia

Ammonia is a harsh chemical, but it works as a multi-purpose stain and smell removing agent; it can remove the skunk smell from clothes. Here’s how to use it below:

Step 1: Dilute 50% strength of ammonia with warm water in a well-ventilated area. Use a sponge to add the mixture to the clothes and allow it to sit for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Rinse the cloth thoroughly with cool water before washing with laundry detergent.