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Fact Sheet
Krebaum Skunk Odor
Eliminator
The skunk odor neutralizing
formula set out below was devised by Paul Krebaum, a chemist
employed by Molex, Inc. of Lisle, Illinois.
Krebaum originally developed
this formula as an alternative to tomato juice or tincture
of time in helping rid his laboratory of odor while he was
conducting research on a group of chemicals called thiols.
These are a group of organic compounds that are naturally
produced, often in association with the degradation of protein.
These compounds stink to high heaven, and, it turns out,
they are also the primary cause of the foul odor associated
with skunks.
According to Krebaum, his
formula causes oxygen molecules to bind to thiols, thus
effectively neutralizing their fetid odor.
Krebaum devised the formula
and used it in his laboratory for some time before a colleague
asked him to help with a pet cat that had been sprayed
by a skunk. Realizing that thiols were at the root of skunk
odor, Krebaum modified his laboratory cleaning formula
so that it could be used on animals. Krebaum's colleague
reported that the formula worked like a charm, removing
every trace of odor from the cat.
Due to packaging and transportation
difficulties associated with the ingredients, Krebaum decided
against trying to patent his formula and subsequently placed
it in the public domain. The formula was first published
in the October 1993 edition of Chemical and Engineering
News. Here is the formula:
In Krebaum's formula, the
soap functions to disperse and break up the oils in the
skunk spray. This then allows the other ingredients to
neutralize the thiols in the skunk spray.
When using Krebaum's formula,
normal bathing procedures should be used to protect the
pets eyes. After lathering the pet with Krebaum's formula,
be sure to rinse the pet well with plain water.
We at Chastain Veterinary Medical Group have never had occasion
to use this formula on any of our pets, so we can’t vouch
for its safety or effectiveness. But it sure sounds like
it ought to work! If you want to give it a whirl, please
give us a call afterward and let us know how it worked for
you.
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