What’s black, white, and leaves a smell so bad? Well, that’s the one and only skunk! So what happens when its smell lingers for a long time? If you are wondering how to get the skunk smell out of your clothes, then there are a lot of things you should know!
What’s A Skunk?
A skunk is a mammal belonging to the Mustelidae family. There are 11 known species of skunks. Out of the 11, you can find 9 of them in the Western Hemisphere. Skunks can be classified as either of the following:
- Conepatus (hog-nosed skunks)
- Mephitis (hooded skunks, striped skunks)
- Mydaus (stink badgers)
- Spilogale (spotted skunks)
Skunks, regardless of its classification, are not considered to be endangered animals. However, the Spilogale pygmaea or the Pygmy Spotted Skunk has been considered as vulnerable due to the declining population.
One of its most distinctive physical characteristics of a skunk is its black and white appearance. However, not all species have white stripes. The hog-nosed variety do not have the white stripes found on the other skunks.
Skunks have been around for millions of years. Paleontologists recently discovered fossils they believe to belong to a skunk-like mammal. Skunks are omnivores and nocturnal. They feed on both animals and plants.
They thrive at night and in various kinds of environments like the forest and mountains. They also live among us, making their way through both urban and suburban spaces. If you live in places like Canada and the United States, it’s not unusual to come across a skunk.
Apart from its color, there is another recognizable trait that skunks have. They are known for emitting a very strong smell that stays for a very long time. For a creature that is as big as a house cat, it sure leaves something powerful that takes a while to go away!
Where Does The Smell Come From?
When a skunk releases that foul odor, they do not aim at another skunk. It’s a defense mechanism against predators who are threatening them. If the skunk senses danger from another animal or even a human being, best believe that it would prepare to fight back through its stink.
A skunk would usually stomp its feet or lift its tail as a warning against predators. If that doesn’t work, then they release their best kept weapon!
When a skunk starts putting their defenses up, be prepared for the stenchy attack that it would unleash. The smell comes from glands found under its tail. The glands produce a substance that leaves a lasting odor that you won’t go away easily. And even if you are about 10 feet away, the skunk’s aim can still hit you with its stink.
The substance that the gland produces is called “thiol”. It is made up of organic compounds, including sulfur. Once a skunk releases the pungent odor, it can be smelled from about a kilometer away. A skunk’s glands have enough supply for 5 to 6 uses. Once they use all these, it would take about 10 days to produce a new batch.
How Do You Get The Skunk Smell Out Of Your Clothes?
When a skunk gets near you and starts spraying its stink around, don’t be surprised if the smell lingers on your clothes. If this happens, you need to do something about it, or else it won’t go away easily. Here are some things you should do to get rid of the skunk smell out of your clothes ASAP:
Identify Type Of Fabric
Before you can start working on getting rid of the skunk smell on your clothes, you need to figure out if you are dealing with a washable or non-washable fabric. If it’s non-washable fabric, you are better off sending the clothes to a professional cleaner.
You can check dry cleaners near you and find out if they can handle cleaning your clothes and getting rid of the smell. It’s important to let the dry cleaners know what happened to the clothes, so that they would know exactly how to clean it and get rid of the smell.
Use The Following Materials
There are a couple of materials that you can use to remove the stinky smell from your clothes. The great thing about this is you have a couple of options that you can refer to.
1. Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
For this method, you just need to mix one part Baking Soda and one part of Hydrogen Peroxide. Once you have those two mixed together, add six part water. You can’t just pour all these directly on your clothes, most especially Hydrogen Peroxide. It can remove color from the clothes.
Once you have managed to mix this concoction well, you can soak your smelly clothes for about an hour. During this process, the Hydrogen Peroxide nullifies the smell.
If you are going to use this solution, make sure you do it as soon as possible. The longer the solution stays unused, the less effective it would be. After soaking for an hour, you can then wash the clothes as you would normally do.
2. White Vinegar
Another solution that can help you get rid of that skunk smell out of your clothes is Distilled White Vinegar mixed with water. You need four parts of water and one part of vinegar.
If you want this to work, you need to soak your clothes in vinegar and water solution for about three hours. When that’s done, you can start washing your clothes as instructed on its label.
3. Ammonia
If you are keen to try this, you need to pick up some Ammonia. Once you have that ready, mix one-part with six parts of water. Make sure you mix the liquids well. You need to soak the clothes in the Ammonia solution for about 30 minutes. After that, you can wash your clothes using a good detergent.
If the smell still lingers after the first try, you can just repeat the process until the stench goes away.
Avoid Using The Dryer
Regardless of the solution you are using, it’s best to avoid using a dryer. Since there’s heat coming from the dryer, it might cause the odor to cling to the fiber of the fabric even more. You can try drying the clothes outside. The UV rays from the sun can help get rid of the smell as well.
Can I Use Tomato?
You might come across a myth about how to get rid of the skunk smell. This myth has something to do with the use of tomatoes in getting rid of the skunk smell. Unfortunately, this is not 100% effective. If you use tomato products such as tomato juice, it won’t remove the stubborn smell from your clothes. What it does is just cover the smell up temporarily.
If you want an effective way, opt to use the solutions that were mentioned before.
Avoid Getting Sprayed
If you don’t want to get sprayed by a skunk, there are some things you might want to remember. It’s extremely difficult to get rid of the smell, especially if it clings to your clothes. It’s also hazardous to your health if you inhale the chemical substance that skunks release.
If you come across a skunk, it’s better to walk away slowly. It’s better for you to back off, so that the animal won’t think you are out to attack them. If there’s no room for you to move, try standing still. The skunk might try to move away from you as well.
If that doesn’t happen and they start stomping their feet and raising its tail, that’s a sign that they are about to spray you. Make sure you don’t let the spray get into your body. Perhaps you can turn your back and close your eyes and mouth.
What Happens When A Skunk Unleashes The Stink?
If there’s one thing you should avoid, it’s being attacked by the skunk’s stink. Apart from the odor that won’t leave for days, there are other effects on human beings that might be dangerous.
Nausea
Once a skunk releases its stink and it gets into a person’s body, perhaps through its nose or mouth, it can lead to vomiting. The smell can trigger nausea and even diarrhea.
Blindness
The sulfur content coming from the skunk’s stink can cause blindness in human beings, albeit temporarily. When it gets into your eyes, it can cause itching or irritation. You might also experience some burning sensation in your eyes.
Breathing Problem
Breathing in a skunk’s stink can be even more dangerous for those with respiratory issues. Due to the stench, it can trigger their asthma, making it difficult to breathe normally.
Bye Bye Skunk Smell From Clothes
In the beginning, knowing how to get the skunk smell out of your clothes might sound like an impossible task. While it is challenging, there are several ways you can try to remove the unwanted stench from your clothes. Whatever method you settle on, the main thing is to be able to salvage your clothes!
Jessica Oliver is a fashion enthusiast with more than ten years of experience in the industry. She previously managed her own clothing store in New York before becoming a mother of three. With a passion for sustainability and a desire to share clothing care and recycling tips.