Dog Got Skunked? The 3-Ingredient Wash and How to Use It Safely

To get skunk smell out of dog fur, mix a fresh wash of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dish soap, work it into the dry coat and rinse well. Mix it just before you use it, keep it away from your dog’s eyes, nose and mouth, and never store the leftovers.

What is in the 3-ingredient skunk wash?

You need three things, and the peroxide should come from a fresh bottle.

Ingredient	Amount
Fresh 3% hydrogen peroxide	1 quart (about 950 ml)
Baking soda	1/4 cup (about 60 g)
Liquid dish soap	1 teaspoon (5 ml)

How to get skunk smell out of dog fur, step by step

1. Stay outside and glove up. Keep your dog outside and put gloves on.
2. Mix just before use. Combine the three ingredients in an open bowl or bucket.
3. Work it into the dry coat. Avoid the eyes, nose and mouth.
4. Wait, then rinse. Leave it about 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Repeat if needed.
5. Shampoo and dry. Use pet shampoo, rinse, towel dry and keep your dog warm.

Safety rules for the skunk wash

• Mix fresh, every time. Never mix it ahead, store it, or put a cap on it. Pressure can burst a closed bottle, so throw away leftovers.
• Protect the face. Keep it away from your dog’s eyes, nose and mouth, and rinse thoroughly.
• Watch the fur. It may lighten dark fur, so don’t leave it on longer than needed.
• Keep it off your home. Don’t use it on carpets, furniture or clothing, because it can bleach them.
• Never mix cleaners. Don’t put vinegar and peroxide in one bottle, and keep bleach away from everything else, including vinegar.

Why does skunk smell come back when wet?

Skunk spray contains thioacetates, which turn into smelly thiols when they get wet. That is why a damp dog can smell worse days later. Some smell may linger for a few days, especially when the coat gets wet.

Tomato juice is a popular fix, but it may only mask the smell for a while. It does not neutralize skunk compounds, so skip it.

What about your clothes and the house?

Wash clothes in cold water with regular detergent plus 1/2 cup (about 110 g) of baking soda, and air dry them outdoors. Don’t use hot water or the dryer, because heat can set the odor.

For the house, ventilate with open windows and fans. Bowls of vinegar or activated charcoal can help absorb odor, but keep vinegar far from any bleach.

What if a faint smell remains?

A faint smell after the first rinse is common. Repeat the wash once if needed, then shampoo with pet shampoo. Some smell may linger for a few days, especially when the coat gets wet, because wet fur turns the remaining thioacetates into smelly thiols again. That does not mean the wash failed.

Keep your dog warm after bathing. If your dog seems unwell at any point, call your vet rather than trying another round.

Get ready before you need it. A small kit helps:

• Buy a fresh bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide and keep it sealed.
• Keep baking soda, dish soap and gloves together in one bucket.
• Save your emergency vet’s number in your phone.

What should you do first?

Before any mixing, keep your dog outside and check the eyes. Flush red or irritated eyes with cool water. Our guide to the first minutes after a skunk spray walks through that part, and it helps to keep a fresh bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, dish soap and gloves together in one bucket before you ever need them.