It’s happened to all of us. You’re driving along, and all of a sudden, you smell something awful. Chances are, you’ve been skunked!
A skunk is a black-and-white mammal that releases a potent mix of chemicals when it feels threatened. This noxious spray can cause nausea and burning eyes, and the smell can linger for weeks.
If your car gets skunked, don’t despair because there are ways to remove the skunk smell from your vehicle.
In this blog post, we’ll share some of those tips, so let’s get started…
Table of Contents
Removing Skunk Smell from Truck’s Interior
If you live in an area where skunks are common, it’s pretty common for your truck’s interior to smell like skunk.
Here are a few tips for you to follow to get that odor out:
1. Open Up
The first thing you should do is open all the doors and windows to air them out.
If the smell is really bad, you may want to leave the doors and windows open for a few hours or even overnight.
If that’s not enough, try using a car deodorizer or air freshener to help mask the smell.
There are a variety of deodorizers and air fresheners on the market, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs.
2. Try Baking Soda
If the smell is still strong, use a mixture of baking soda and water to make a paste.
Rub this paste into the upholstery and carpeting and let it sit for a few hours.
Finally, vacuum it up or use a damp cloth to remove the residue.
This will help take the skunk smell out of your vehicle.
If the baking soda paste doesn’t seem to be working for tough odors, shampooing your car’s upholstery and carpets should be your option.
You can either do this yourself or take the car to a professional detailer.
Getting Rid of Skunk Smell From Truck Exterior
The truck exterior is easy to clean – just hose it down with a garden hose, and most of the time, it works.
But what if the skunk smell is coming from under the hood?
If you have been unfortunate enough to have your truck sprayed by a skunk hard, here’s what you can do…
- Hose down the truck with a mixture of vinegar and water to remove the odor
- Use a mixture of baking soda and water (or a commercial cleaner) to scrub the affected parts
Remember that skunk spray can damage the paint on your car if it’s not removed quickly. Also, if it gets on the tires, it can cause the rubber to deteriorate.
Furthermore, the skunk smell can also make you sick if you inhale it for a long time. If you’re feeling nauseous or lightheaded, you should get some fresh air immediately.
Most of the time, the skunk smell will eventually go away on its own, but it may take weeks or even months. If you want to get rid of the skunk smell as soon as possible, you should take action right away.
Based in Orem (Utah) John Paterson graduated from Utah Valley University and has begun writing in 2009. He has a large wealth of experience in writing articles related to cars, automotive repair, wheels, cleaning/maintenance, and much more. He has also written instructional articles in a similar niche for a few online publications as well. Currently, he works as a mechanic in his personal garage shop where he loves serving his countrymen from his heart.