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Need Advice Cleaning milk odors from car

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by luftinarr, Oct 30, 2009.

  1. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    We accidentally left 2 gallons of milk in the trunk of our Odyssey...for over a week. When our son asked what died in car is when we noticed it.

    The trunk has been professionally cleaned twice, but I'm afraid the curdled milk saturated through to the pad under the carpet. We have no way of pulling up the carpet without cutting it.

    It's been about a month now and you still want to vomit even passing by the car.

    Need advice on how to get rid of this smell so that even in the summer it doesn't come back to haunt us. I'm almost willing to put down $$$ to get the trunk re-carpeted (yes, it's that bad).

    We're trying the coffee grounds idea tonight...will try the charcoal in a few days in the coffee doesn't work.

    Any other suggestions???? :eww:
     
  2. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    baking soda?
     
  3. latka

    latka Active Member

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    Nothing works. Something similar happened to me in my old car. I had to replace the entire carpet
     
  4. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    That's what I'm thinking. How did you replace it? Through the dealer or a private company?
     
  5. latka

    latka Active Member

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    I ordered ii through the dealership and my husband installed it.
     
  6. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    Saturate it with something else and see if you can counteract the milk? I realize the idea of pouring a gallon of vinegar into your trunk probably doesn't sound appealing, but maybe it will soak in all the way like the milk did and clear out the smell.

    Otherwise I suppose you're looking at replacing the carpet.
     
  7. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    Try a professional outfit like Stanley Steamer. Maybe they could help. Seems worth trying before having to replace carpet.
     
  8. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    Stanley Steemer cleaned it twice already. :(

    Trying vinegar this evening...will see how that works.
     
  9. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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  10. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    I have a cleaner that I used for spoiled formula - it's called Good As New. Drop by and I will be happy to give you some.
     
  11. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    Vinegar was worthless. Next step - Good As New form lilpea. I'll stop by tomorrow to get it.
     
  12. RexCo

    RexCo New Member

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    Try saturating the area with a product called Molecular Modifier made by Chemical Technologies, Inc. Let it dry completely before doing anything else - usually 24-48 hours.

    If that doesn't work, put an ozone generator in the trunk for 24 hours. You can likely rent one from a fire & water dammage restoration contractor in your area.

    Good Luck!
     
  13. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    Nothing worked so we took it to the dealer where they soaked it, drained it, ripped out the carpet padding, and dried it overnight.....for free. They were so awesome about it. Kudos to Honda Service in Leesburg!! :clap:
     
  14. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    Yay! You know, it probably wasn't the first time they saw that problem... :p
     
  15. windowpane

    windowpane New Member

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    OOOH!! nothing works. go to the dealer and have them replace the carpet. Everything else is just a waste of time
     
  16. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    Replacing carpet would cost us about $1,000. It's not just the trunk they can replace...they have to do the whole thing. The dealer did tear out the padding so it's much better, but I'll probably eventually just cut the carpet out of the trunk myself.
     
  17. BellaRu

    BellaRu Member

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    With the padding gone now, try pouring hydrogen peroxide on it, soak it. Let it dry, then vacuume. It isolates and breaks down the proteins. Should get rid of the smell.
     
  18. latka

    latka Active Member

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    $1000??? It only cost me around $200 to do the whole thing.
     
  19. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    The trunk carpet isn't separate from the rest of the carpet. I have a minivan and not a small car. For them to rip out the carpet, they'd have to rip out the entire thing. Unless I can find an upholsterer to remove and replace only the trunk portion, I'm SOL. Just doing the trunk will cost $$$ because it will have to be cut out and then a new piece cut and stitched back in. Not as easy at seems unfortunately.
     
  20. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    spill some garlic to cover up the smell of the milk. them spill some tomato sauce to blend with the garlic. your car will small like homemade Italian food, and who doesn't love THAT smell????

    I am a master problem solver... :rolleyes3:
     

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