bad smell in car..sour milk?

Question

Ok ,another problem!    We bought an 07 Toyota Sienna the other day, there is a smell in there, like maybe some milk had spilled and spoiled..the carpets were shampooed..but it is still there. Any suggestions?  Maybe it is the carpets, maybe not..(hubs is pretending he doesnt really smell it so bad. He really wants this car! )

Carroll A · Answer

Febreze makes a spray for cars.  Have you tried spraying it down real good and leaving the doors/windows open all day? I would wash all the hard surfaces too.   But this may be a sign of a bigger problem like a leak somewhere.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Chemical sprays will mask the odors, Ozone will remove it. If the car has a strange odor, I would suggest that you check CarFax http://www.carfax.com/entry.cfx and see if there is any history of the car being in a flood. Check well up under the dash for soil stains. Lots of these autos on the market. This can cost a few dollars but could be worth it. If your getting from used car dealer have them provide you with the report for free!

Bernice H · Answer

Thanks Bob...we did get a report, not from carfax . I forget who, no kind of problem at all in the reports.....

Bernice H · Answer

@Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com  BTW...what do you mean by ozone...especially in a car?  And if it had been in a flood how would that have affected the car smell wise?
This one came from upper New York.  Hubs did come home today saying....hmmm!  Not good.
I wonder if we can identify where the smell is coming from..and if the carpet has to be replaced, is this very expensive?

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Ozone generators kill the bacteria that causes odors.  Many house electrical air fresheners use this.  Orick (spelling) vacuum company sold these a while back and had a recall due to excessive ozone delievery. Also Shacklee sells them for home use. You may be able to rent one, but hard to find. 
If you Google Ozone machine you will see all types and brands of these and explanations on how they work.  Their are many studies on these units and if you read the EPA stuff on them they say do not use because they are unsafe, however when used properly and for reasons such as yours, they can be very successful and work well.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

Sienna = minivan
Minivan = kids
Kids = milk
Milk + travel = motion sickness
Motion sickness + milk + kids = puke fest

when my daughter were really young she threw up in the back of my truck (jump seats) she had been drinking chocolate milk  I got it cleaned up as fast as I could but it still took some weeks of cleaning and recleaning to get the smell out.  I used some baking soda and that seemed to help.  That was some 8 plus years ago.

I also used some citrus air freshners spay to 'cover' the smell for a few months, after that it finally faded away

Ellen H · Answer

So eloquent, @KMS Woodworks .  LOL (or NOT, depending on whether it has happened to you).

Bernice H · Answer

@KMS Woodworks    Yup, kids and sour milk , however my son barfed in my friends car after eating German sausage, now that was also  'grody'!
I saw a suggestion for the MEANTIME about fresh ground coffee beans and leaving an open container in the car. Also some good citrus spray, as you suggested. Decades ago, I had a friend who rented a house that had cat pee smell real bad, landlord wouldnt take care of it, so we pulled the carpet up and applied lots of baking soda on the floor, I was amazed at  how well it worked! We laid the carpet down again, but it still worked!    I am thinking we may need to have new carpeting put in, at least before summer.....ICK!!!!   I am sure the dealer knew of this problem, but the windows were open and we thought shampooing the carpet as it was detailed would take care of the problem. Does anyone know what is involved with replacing carpet and how much dinero we are talking about? Or how do I find out online? @Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com  I will certainly follow up on an ozone generator, I know we saw one in a Motel room that had had smokers in there. Is that what you are talking about?  I will have to post a picture of this car, it is gorgeous! And such a good vehicle..but........!

Ellen H · Answer

Yoou might try an odor remover called Capture - Lowe's has it back in their flooring dept.  Capture makes a line of products - we bought the one for removing odors.  We were treating cat urine and bought the gallon size and put in a pump sprayer and generously sprayed the carpet.  I was quite pleased with the result. It isn't perfumy, although there is some not-unpleasant chemical smell when you first spray it on.  No lingering chemical odor when it dries.  The lady who told me about it used it to clean mobile homes between tenants.

Bernice H · Answer

@Ellen H   yeah, Kevin's a man of few words , yup!  Well, I will keep that (capture)  in mind also. Making a list! ha I suppose we need to find the source first, and I am not sure how to do that!  However if it is milk, isnt that a protein, and don't  proteins need enzymes, like cat and dog stains do? I am not sure , but this problem seems to be my job! However Hubs is driving the car...snicker!  Supposed to be my new car, but i told him, he wanted all wheel drive, now he has it!!  I am still driving the honda mini van ..which sort of rattles. oh well.

Donna R · Answer

The best, and most inexpensive odor remover I have found is good ole' vinegar and water.  It can be sprayed onto everything without damaging the interior of the car, and then leave the doors open for a day if possible.  One part vinegar to three parts water.  It's great to use for that load of clothes you 'forgot' and left in the washer for a day too (and it acts as a fabric softener)!

Leida R · Answer

What about pulling out the carpet, and giving it a good hose wash??? or, is that not an option?

Donna R · Answer

Does it have a warranty?  Did you go thru a dealership?

Bernice H · Answer

@KMS Woodworks   @Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com What do  you think of @Donna R     Donna's idea  of vinegar and water ?  How liberal can I be in spraying? I really want to get under the seats because  that may be where it is coming from, shampooing doesnt get under the seats, does it? I do use vinegar in my laundry!  Dealership is 3 1/2 hours away. Not many siennas here in Yakima.

Donna R · Answer

I would try the vinegar water suggestion that the other Donna R. suggested!  Can't hurt!

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

I am not a proponent of using Vinegar and water on anything. Other then dying eggs and some other cooking. Way to many people believe that this natural chemical is the cure all for everything, and from all of the many postings seen on HT I suppose they have had good luck with this product.  While it does work on lots of stuff, I simply do not use it.  My major reason is because your adding water to the mix. Water promotes mold development. If you have a odor being admitted out of the carpet, regardless of what caused it, barf, milk, or even a window left open during a rain storm. This odor is caused by bacteria which is another way of calling it mold. And vinegar does not kill most molds. It may provide a solution that will break it up so it can be washed away, it just does not kill the stuff. And using it in a carpet that has a jute padding for sound and heat prevention from under the car, In my opinion it is a recipe for a bigger issue.

You can call someone such as a carpet cleaning service. They or many of them now do auto carpets. They have all sorts of cleaning chemicals that will deodorize and remove any issues with bacteria.  With the holiday seasons coming up, I am sure you will find some deals on getting this done. As this is when they begin looking for holiday work.

Pulling the carpet out would work Leida R, however that can be a daunting task as the seats and all the interior trims need to be pulled out in order to do this.

Jeanette S · Answer

Our car got contaminated with cigarette smoke!   We used a combination of Feebrz and Oust!  It will take more than one application...keep at it!

KMS Woodworks · Answer

I'm also in @Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com 's camp and do not use vinegar for cleaning...I use it in my cooking.

I had a client get a deal on a Subaru wagon that had some mice or squirels live it.  She had all of the carpets and padding in the ceiling etc replaced, that ran about 4 K

I'm thinking just the carpets would be maybe half of that.  and to me that seems like a lot of green for a bit of annoying smell...I'd just keep at the cleaning with some baking soda and get a pine tree for the rear view mirror...LOL

Kelly S · Answer

I used ZORBX on my truck interior to get out the cigarette smell and in the dogs laundry (blankets she lays on) to get out the urine smell. It's made in the USA. They have a website, zorbex.com and a toll free number 1-800-201-5530. It worked for me.

Bernice H · Answer

I am really appreciating all the help and advice I am getting on here, thank you thank you!  We started on this project this afternoon, and yes @KMS Woodworks   there were kids!!!! We found a crayon under the very rear carpet at the back hatch door!   I got the strongest smell from there, a big yellow stain right where the carpet hits the plastic, hubs took off the plastic rear thing and i scrubbed the carpet top and under  real well with straight vinegar. Yellow kept coming off as I sopped up the vinegar .I am hoping this is the PLACE! The smell was very strong there. I am hoping if this is the place and we dont get rid of the smell , we can replace just part of the carpet there.  Wouldnt that be too good to be true?  The WHOLE  carpet is dirtier for an 07 than our 03 Honda carpet is. I was amazed!  But keep suggestions coming..we are not done yet!    we have theheat on so hopefully it will dry faster.    But I think our next step would be a cleaning supply place for enzyme/bacteria digester?

Leida R · Answer

What color are the carpets of ur Sienna, Bernice?  Also, I forgot to tell u that I buy a spray product from Walmart called Oxy-Fast Stain & odor REMOVER.  I find that this product is GREAT.   I use it because I have dogs, and will also advice you to keep it in mind possibly for this smell in ur car, and/or for future use.  This product is found at the animals' aisle at WM.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

If that carpet piece is not too expensive I'd go ahead and replace it.  before the new one goes in you will had an opportunity to clean underneath...That will help a ton...if you cant afford the new just removing the old carpet and cleaning it out of place at a car was type place with the mega spay wand (like some people use on their floor mats) will REALLY help while that is being done you can clean out / air air under it.

Donna R · Answer

This is the first time I have disagreed with KMS and Woodbridge concerning a solution, and that's only because I have used vinegar to remove odors from just about everything for many, many years and it works.  I do understand the concern about the water, but as long as you make sure the interior is totally dry it's never been a problem with using the mix to clean.  I've had many cars and kids and pets, and vinegar is definitely my go to product when other 'odor' sprays/cleaners don't work.  Glad to hear you tried it straight though because you won't have to worry about water and mold.  You may have to do it again, and it wouldn't hurt to cover the spot with paper towels and put something heavy on it (like a brick or two) to absorb moisture/contaminents from underneath.  Check the towels every one to two hours and replace with clean ones as necessary.  I hope you can handle this problem with the least expense as possible because I know money is tight for everyone.  Good luck.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

And it is totally fine to disagree Donna R.  This is how everyone learns and me for sure, But in my camp and I would also assume KMS as well, there is way to much emphasis on using vinegar as the cure all for all things.  I do not think anyone is saying that you cannot use it, but you need to understand more about what ever it is your cleaning just to be safe.   A lot of folks use home remedies to fix and solve things, and that is fine, but one also must understand on the professional side, were responsible to be 100% sure all the time or we end up in court. And if we said we used a home remedy on a mold or cleanup project and someone got sick or their belonging became worse as a result. We would not be in that profession for very much longer.

Bernice H · Answer

@Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com Bob  and @KMS Woodworks I totally understand..no problem, I did use vinegar because it is a first step/cheap, used it before,  and I dont think we have anything to lose,  then I will progressively do other things if this doesnt make it acceptable.  We got the car from a 'wholesale' dealer, 3 1/2 hours away. It was on the lot with  3 other siennas, they sold immediately, this one was going back to auction for the next day.. The guy said this didnt  sell immediately because it was so much more price wise than the others. Now, I am thinking...hmmm however... it has everything hubs wanted in  a newer car. So he is driving it!     It is all in one's perspective , I wasnt hepped up about a new car...he hates the honda van..so.....We will keep trying, I do think tho if it doesnt dissipate, and if the smell is the rear spot I am thinking of, yes, maybe we can replace part of the carpet.  But we have other things to  try first.        &&&&    I have to shre, notice the typing here? I jammed  my finger intio the dash biard yesterday trying ti keep things in there from falling in the floor, I jammed my finger si bad hakf the naik cqame off, and i have a splint in my finger right now. so whjen i look at the keyboard then up at the screen this si wat i see! takses too long to correct so mu notes will be shirt for a whuile! haha sorryyy

Bernice H · Answer

@Leida R   gray...gray gray...blech!  Everything is grey now, or else it is gray....

Bernice H · Answer

ps  hubs did google, or bi ng,  a solution adn thisis one of the suggestions. this has become a sleep interrupter for us, tho i know there are worse things in the world with filks!

Leida R · Answer

Sorry about ur finger.  My God, 'when it rains it pours'.  Hang in there as everything will take its course.  Take care of ur ginger, though.

Bernice H · Answer

Hahahaha  gud on!

Donna R · Answer

@Bernice H, are you typing drunk?  LOL!  Sorry about your finger.

bad smell in car..sour milk?

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