If you’ve ever had the misfortune of getting sprayed by a skunk, you know that smell just doesn’t want to quit. The folks on MythBusters decided to dig into this stinky problem themselves and see what actually works.
They tried out a bunch of home remedies, but eventually, they found a mix that does more than just hide the smell—it actually breaks it down.
The MythBusters team mixed up hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and liquid dish soap to wipe out the skunk smell. This blend changes the chemical makeup of the skunk spray, making the odor vanish instead of just hiding it. If you ever end up in a stinky situation, you’ll want to have these ingredients around.
They gave other tricks a shot—like tomato juice and store-bought cleaners—but honestly, nothing worked as well as their own recipe. It’s a simple fix, and if you or your pet ever gets sprayed, you might be glad you know it.
The MythBusters Skunk Odor Removal Formula
Getting rid of skunk smell after a close call isn’t easy, but you do need something strong and safe. The MythBusters found out that some common household items can actually neutralize the odor.
They also put tomato juice to the test, just to see how it compared.
Ingredients Used: Hydrogen Peroxide, Baking Soda, and Dish Soap
The main players in the MythBusters’ skunk odor remover are hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and liquid dish soap. You’ll want to mix:
- 1 quart (about 1 liter) of 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 1/4 cup (about 45 ml) of baking soda
- 1 to 2 teaspoons (5-10 ml) of liquid dish soap
Hydrogen peroxide works like a mild bleach and actually breaks down the skunk spray’s chemical structure. Baking soda helps balance pH and takes the edge off the smell. Dish soap lifts oils and dirt, so the mix can get in there and clean things up.
When you put these together, they react with the sulfur compounds—those are called thiols—that make skunk spray so nasty. The mix turns them into odorless stuff.
How the Skunk Smell Removal Solution Works
Skunk spray’s main stink comes from sulfur-based chemicals called thiols. These are the real troublemakers behind that super strong, lingering odor.
The hydrogen peroxide in this recipe goes after the thiols through a chemical reaction called oxidation. It changes the smelly molecules into odorless ones.
Baking soda helps neutralize acidity and keeps the mixture from being too harsh on skin or fur. Dish soap spreads the mixture around and helps lift out the oils.
This combo doesn’t just cover up the smell—it actually destroys it. That’s why it beats most store-bought cleaners or old home remedies.
Why Tomato Juice Was Tested and Compared
People have talked about tomato juice as a home remedy for skunk odor for ages. So, the folks at MythBusters decided to test it out and see if it actually does anything.
Turns out, tomato juice doesn’t neutralize skunk spray at all. It just covers up the smell for a little while.
After a bit, your nose kind of tunes out the tomato scent. Suddenly, the skunk smell creeps back in and you notice it all over again.
Tomato juice just masks the odor; it doesn’t do anything to actually remove those stubborn thiols. The peroxide mixture, on the other hand, can break them down.
If you’re curious, you can check out the MythBusters episode details for more info.
