Skunk Shampoo

Ingredients:

• 1 qt. 3% hydrogen peroxide
• 1/4 c. baking soda
• clear Ivory dishwashing detergent
• An eye dropper
• 2-4 drops of mineral or vegetable oil (1-2 for each eye) to protect them from the detergent (we usually omit this step)
• An inexpensive slicker brush, which can be used to brush the pet out before shampooing
• A garden hose, if the de-skunking is done outside in summer; if cold outside, you’ll need an inexpensive shower sprayer that hooks over the bathtub spout
• A few clean old towels
• A sponge
• An apron
• A hair dryer
• Fabric refresher (such as Fabrezee

INSTRUCTIONS

• Before you begin, if the animal’s fur is medium to long in length, brush it out with the slicker brush. Then clean the slicker brush with some Ivory detergent.
• Carefully put one drop of oil into each of the animal’s eyes with the eye dropper. The reason for doing so is that usually the majority of the skunk spray is on the pet’s face, which will require washing the face thoroughly.  This will protect from the detergents which are about to come.  We sometimes omit this step, if you are careful washing around the face.
• Wash the animal TWICE with several tablespoons of the Ivory dishwashing detergent, using more liberal amounts in the areas most needed.  Dawn can also be substituted but is not as gentle.
• Rinse thoroughly between each shampoo using warm water or a hose if outside in the summer.
• At this time you may or may not want to shampoo a third time with an addition fragrant human (or animal) shampoo.
• Now use the hydrogen peroxide, Ivory, baking soda mixture above.  Let sit five minutes.  Rinse thoroughly.
• Towel off very well. Usually the dog will dry itself the rest of the way, but you may use a hair dryer if you wish.
• When fully dry, use the cleaned slicker brush to comb out the animal’s fur until it is sleek.