Is tomato juice useful for getting rid of the smell of a skunk?
Some of the suggestions you'll find are not very appealing.If you've ever gotten a whiff of a skunk's primary weapon (reminiscent of rotten eggs to the nth degree), you may consider any remedy home thrown your way.
Many of the common recommendations, like bathing in a tub full of tomato juice, do little more than mask the unpleasant smell.The most effective antidotes are those that change the main ingredients into nonsmelly compounds.
The composition of the spray depends on the species, but the main offenders are a group of organic compounds.These compounds are known for their strong smell and are characterized by their attached sulfur and hydrogen atom.The main components of the smell of skunk spray are two highly volatile thiols.
The reason that people think tomato juice and spray cancel each other out is due to something called olfactory fatigue, which is a way of saying that your nose gets accustomed to a scent after a period of time.The strong smell of tomato juice makes you think it must have taken care of the problem when your nose stops detecting the spray.If another person entered the room, he or she wouldn't be easily fooled.
Changing the thiols into compounds that your nose won't recognize as offensive is the only way to get rid of the odor.Oxygen can be added in a process known as oxidation.sulfonic acid is formed when oxygen is added to the sulfur/hydrogen compound.
It's relatively simple, even though it sounds like a complicated process that only Bill Nye could pull off.Many oxidizing agents, like hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, are readily available and safe to be used on people and pets.Regular bleach will get the job done.
All you need to do is mix a quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, a quarter cup of baking soda and a small amount of liquid detergent and lather him up.After five minutes, rinse off your pup and he will be as good as new.The smell may be taken away, but it can also change hair color.You can't store it in a closed container for the next time, because the mixture releases oxygen, which could break the container.
Not all of the commercial products that are available to eliminate skunk odors are safe for living things, so be sure to do your homework.It's better to be smelly than sorry.
When the weather gets damp, many pet victims of skunk spray experience a return of the smell.Because of their low volatility and mild smell, compounds that are inoffensive on initial contact can easily be converted into stronger, smellier forms with the addition of water.If any of these compounds are trapped in your pet's fur, every time they come in contact with water, you might experience a repeat of the experience.