Spilled milk can be absorbed deep into the fabric of the car seat and leave an unpleasant odor that is difficult to remove. Whether it's a new or old milk spill, there are ways to improve the smell of your car and prevent the smell of spilled milk from appearing if the same thing happens again in the future.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning All Liquids and Spills
Step 1. Absorb spilled milk until dry
After spilled milk, immediately wipe off any milk that is still wet or visible. This will help remove the smell of spilled milk from the car and make cleaning easier later.
Use a paper towel, white washcloth, or sponge and apply pressure to any cloth that has spilled milk. Continue patting the area until it's no longer wet
Step 2. Discard and wash the car floor mat and seat cover
Remove any cloth or area that has spilled milk and can be removed
- Car floor mats without plastic or rubber can be washed in a clothes washing machine. Spray the floor mat with stain remover, and put it in the washing machine with warm water.
- All other ingredients should be flushed with hose water with soap. Let the floor mat dry indoors or in the sun.
Step 3. Take advantage of the wet vacuum
Use a deep cleaning machine or a steam vacuum cleaner to remove the milky smell from the car. Many steam cleaning machines use a solution with a special cleaning agent to deodorize the food, which will get rid of the smell of spilled milk.
Step 4. Use the services of an expert
The smell of spilled milk that doesn't go away despite all the cleaning methods you've tried may be due to the milk that has been absorbed so deeply that it can't be cleaned in the usual way. To fix this, use a professional car interior cleaning service.
Method 2 of 3: Neutralize and Remove Odors
Step 1. Use coffee grounds to disguise stubborn odors
The coffee grounds will help absorb the smell of the old spilled milk, and leave the coffee aroma to cover any unpleasant odors.
Fill a plastic container with coffee grounds and tuck it under the car seat. Leave it there for two weeks
Step 2. Use the power of baking soda
Apply a layer of baking soda to the spilled milk area to absorb the water and the smell of spilled milk. Baking soda works to filter the air and remove unpleasant odors.
Allow the spilled area to dry completely before sprinkling baking soda there. Let stand for 3-4 days, and suck using a vacuum cleaner
Step 3. Spray white vinegar
Vinegar can fight strong odors, so it's worth a try if the smell of spilled milk is overwhelming. This will break down the enzymes in the milk that are sitting in the upholstery and reduce the smell. What's even better, vinegar is also safe to use and does not contain harmful chemicals.
- Mix 1/5 white vinegar with 4/5 water in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar mixture directly on the spill area until it is completely wet. Leave it for 4-5 hours and pat the area dry with a white washcloth.
- Open your car windows to let air flow.
Step 4. Try an enzyme spray
Purchase an enzyme cleaning product at the store and spray it on the spilled milk area. The enzyme spray will "eat" the odor residue and replace it with a fresh smell.
- Leave the enzyme spray on the spilled area for 1-2 days, and pat it dry.
- Do not use enzyme spray on leather or suede.
Step 5. Try using a carpet cleaner
Carpet cleaners usually contain strong chemicals to clean deep into the fabric. Make sure you completely dry the area being cleaned after using a carpet cleaner.
Read the instructions for use to determine how long you need to let the product sit and then suck it up
Step 6. Ventilate your car
One of the reasons the smell of spilled milk is so strong in your car is that moisture traps in the car which triggers mold growth. After spilled milk, or during a cleaning session, leave your car doors and windows open so that sunlight can enter the interior of your car and dry the spilled milk. In addition, the air in the car also flows smoothly and gets rid of the smell of your spilled milk.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing the Return of the Milk Spill Odor
Step 1. Immediately wipe up all milk spills
The longer spilled milk or other drinks are left, the harder it will be for odors and stains to be removed. The quicker you dry the spill, the quicker you can prevent bad odors.
Step 2. Let fresh air in
After spilled milk, you should open the car door window for a few hours. Thus, the milk that evaporates into the car air is carried away and replaced by fresh air.
Step 3. Keep your car interior clean
Food and liquids promote bacterial growth and bad odors. Vacuum and sweep the dirt in the interior of the car regularly to prevent unpleasant odors from coming.
