Help: I Ran Over a Dead Skunk and Now My Car Reeks

There are all kinds of tips online on how to get the smell of a skunk from your skin. There are not a lot of details on how to remove the stench from your car.

I can't give my entire car a tomato bath. I feel like that would get a little pricey.

The Striped Skunk is a fascinating creature. A lot of people believe they're a nuisance but many think they're adorable. What the heck are they? They are about the size of a cat and according to the Department of Environmental Conservation, they were up until recently a member of the weasel family. They are now classified as being in the Mephitidae family with badgers. These animals are known for the strong smell of their anal glands.

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Skunks release a strong odor as a self-defense mechanism. Even if you have never been hit with it there's a good chance you have smelled the pungent and gross smell they release. You can often smell them after they have been struck by a car. Hours after they are dead the smell is still noticeable as you pass by. The odor can apparently spread even after you accidentally run them over. I learned this the hard way.

I ran over the body of a dead skunk this morning. My car smelled foul for my entire morning commute. The horrible musk followed me until I arrived at work. It still smelled hours later when I was leaving work.

How do I remove a skunk smell from my car?

According to Healthline, you need to open windows and let the sun shine in on your upholstery. You can also use a mix of 10 to 90 solution of bleach and water for the interior.

I ended up running it through the car wash twice today. We'll see if this works.

Has this ever happened to you?