How to get rid of horrid smell in my car?

Maggie B
by Maggie B

OK...my niece had an "accident" in my car. By accident I mean urine soaked thru my front seat to the floor and even up on the back. She is adult, special needs... and I love her ... I used Nature's Miracle... and poured 3 gallons of water... soaking up the water with towels. Have had the car windows down and doors open for over a week. The Natures Miracle smell is killing me. Wish I just used water. Help... what to do now... thinking of selling the car its that bad!

  10 answers
  • Em Em on Apr 07, 2019

    1. In a bowl, mix 10 ounces of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, 3 tablespoons of recently opened baking soda (note: not baking powder), and 2-3 drops of dish-washing detergent. Mix until the baking soda is dissolved.
    2. Pour into a spray bottle.
    3. Pre-test the upholstery by spraying some cleaner in an inconspicuous place.
    4. Allow it to dry. If the fabric does not change color, proceed as follows:
    5. Spray the stain and allow the cleaner to work for an hour. If the stain is not gone, repeat the process.
    6. After the stain is gone, rinse the cleaning solution from the area by dabbing with a damp cloth and blotting with a dry towel until all cleaning solution is gone. This is an important step because, over time, detergent residue will attract dirt. Also, if not removed, hydrogen peroxide could bleach the upholstery and weaken the fibers of the fabric.
    7. If the stain remains, contact a professional upholstery cleaner.


  • Alice Alice on Apr 07, 2019

    Maggie, If you have access to a wet/dry vac just pour fresh water back on and vacuum it out. You may have to do it a couple of times to get the Natures Miracle smell out. Then, if you can, either leave the windows open or better yet place a fan to blow on the area to dry it quicker.

  • Deb K Deb K on Apr 07, 2019

    Hi Maggie, You could rent a steam cleaner with upholstery wand and get the majority of the nature's miracle and urine out, then try a recipe that will get rid of the remainder of odor if there is one.

  • TheHoneycombHome TheHoneycombHome on Apr 07, 2019

    Try these, I have these in my house and in my car. They work! https://amzn.to/2WSeofr

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Apr 07, 2019

    They make a product called air sponge. After a good cleaning, close it up in your car and let it work its magic. I used it to absorb a horrible odor in my attic (something died in some nook or cranny and we couldn't find it) and within 24 hours, there was a huge difference. There was no odor after a few days. I feel your pain because I was ready to sell my house!

  • Shore grandmom Shore grandmom on Apr 07, 2019

    You could try the charcoal bags, they're good for removing odors.

  • The Dollar Tree sells odor and moisture eliminator tubs: https://www.dollartree.com/the-home-store-charcoal-moisture-eliminators-98oz-tubs/ Buy several of them and put them in the car with the windows rolled up for a few days.

  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Apr 08, 2019

    Maggie...So sorry for the accident but I understand the love you have for your niece. Try some really strong fabric softener sheets. I like Mrs. Meyers that can be purchased at Target. Put the sheets under the seat, stuff some between the back and the seat and close the windows. They have several fragrances such as Lavender, Honeysuckle, etc. Good luck!

  • Maggie B Maggie B on Apr 09, 2019

    Thank you for all your suggestions. So many and they are mostly ways I had not thought of... I am going to look for the Air Sponge... maybe at Home Depot... and the charcoal bags... My husband has been insisting on using dryer sheets... but I don't want to add any more "fragrances"... drove it today... I think I smell like the car now!

  • Linda Linda on Jul 26, 2021

    Bad air sponge worked the best for something dead under my stove and smoke odor from a potential microwave fire....but Bad Air Sponge has it's own odor which I never got used to. But when the smell goes away you can close up the sponge and put it away for the next time you may need it.