Back in the 1970s, there was a light-hearted song written and sung by Loudon Wainwright about a dead skunk in the middle of the road. Many tried to apply deep meaning to the lyrics. Interpretations ranged from our devastation of the planet to allegories of then President Richard Nixon. The composer was asked about those ideas in an interview, where he shrugged his shoulders and said, “Well, okay, but for me, it was just about a dead skunk lying there in the highway.” Wainwright said he wrote the song in about 12 minutes, which has since gained a cult following. Following is an excerpt of a couple of the verses and the chorus:
[Verse 1]
Crossing the highway late last night
He shoulda looked left and he shoulda looked right
He didn’t see the station wagon car
The skunk got squashed and there you are
[Chorus]
You got your dead skunk in the middle of the road
Dead skunk in the middle of the road
Dead skunk in the middle of the road
Stinking to high heaven
[Verse 2]
Take a whiff on me, that ain’t no rose
Roll up your window and hold your nose
You don’t have to look and you don’t have to see
‘Cause you can feel it in your olfactory
We all know that one of the most distinguishing and unappealing smells on the planet is that of the skunk — dead or alive. The odor of the skunk emanates from its oil, which is incredibly hard to get out of anything it comes into contact, be it a car, furniture, or a pet. What’s worse, is that commonly used cleaning methods can actually magnify the smell of skunk oil.
Tips on How to Get Rid of Skunk Odor
Here are a few tips on how to get rid of skunk odor on your pet, in your home and in your vehicle:
Pets
Mix ½ cup of baking soda and one bottle of hydrogen peroxide in a large bowl. Pour the mixture into an empty spray bottle and spray it evenly throughout your pet’s fur. It’s a good idea to wear gloves and goggles while you do this task. Let it penetrate into your pet’s fur for five minutes and then rinse off with warm water. Spray your pet’s fur again and this time add in a couple of drops of dish soap to the mixture. Repeat with the previous steps and then thoroughly dry off your pet with a towel.
Inside of Homes
Take all drapes, pillows, throw blankets and all other items that can be laundered and put into a washing machine. Wash with a heavy-duty laundry detergent and a degreaser. Do not use hot or warm water as that will release the smell in a steam. Place the laundered items on a clothes line and do not use your dryer to avoid getting the skunk smell into your machine.
Using a large bucket, mix three parts vinegar and one part water, wipe down walls and mop floors with a slightly damp sponge. Open all doors and windows to air out the house.
Vehicles
Unfortunately, home remedies do little to eradicate skunk odor from a vehicle. Up until recently, car owners have had to hold their breath, roll down the windows, and hope the smell will go away in a few weeks. However, a new solution called NuVinAir® available at participating dealerships, attacks skunk odors and airborne pollutants by safely expelling a dry, hygienic vapor throughout the vehicle’s HVAC system and cabin. It fits into a cup holder and contains a natural, highly effective compound that has been used to decontaminate compromised public buildings and safely treat drinking water.
Learn more about NuVinAir®
NuVinAir® is not a masking agent or ionizer, and leaves behind zero residue. It eliminates odors at the source and restores the vehicle to hygienic efficiency. If you would like more information on NuVinAir®, please visit nuvinair.com today.