Folks, I am truly crying over spilled milk this week. Literally.
Early this week I got a few hours to myself, and I decided to spring clean our car. So I went through the Starbucks drive through got a latte, and was on my way to the car wash! After that I cleaned the car out top to bottom- and vacuumed the inside. I was mighty proud of how thorough I was. No more baby cookies smushed in the carpet, no stray receipts, no sippy cups that needed washing. The car was immaculate!! No one has seen a cleaner car!
But as I was geting ready to leave the car wash, I noticed that my yet unsipped coffee was laying on the passenger seat. No coffee was coming out, and I briefly marveled at how tight those Starbucks tops must be. That is… until I picked the cup up and realized there was no more coffee inside it! It had been knocked over while I vacuumed, and had soaked completely through the passenger seat cushion. Boo!!!
What I should have done at that point was gone home and tried to use our wet dry vac to suck my latte out of the seat. But I didn’t think of that, so instead I sopped up everything I could with paper towels. Well that did not do the trick – because my car now smells like sour milk!!
Help!!! Does anyone have any idea how to get that horrible smell out my car?? I tried putting one of those heavy duty gel smell neutralizers in the car – and it is not even helping a little.
Does anyone have any idea how to get sour milk smell out of a car seat? I can’t drive everywhere with the windows open forever!! Acck!
About Shannon SchmidShannon traded in her sensible NYC TV producer shoes (they were best for taking the subway), for a pair of Texas Cowboy boots when she married her best friend! He's at fault for making this Yankee a Texan! Shannon writes about all things that make a house a home. Her chief blogging inspiration is being the proud & slightly neurotic mom of a preschool age daughter.
You can find Shannon on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and her new favorite place to hang out, Google+.
That’s a tough one I’m not sure I know the answer to that one. Maybe get some serious carpet and upholstery cleaner. My only other thought is to buy a new car, although not practical it would get rid of the sour milk smell.
.-= Chris Weigand´s last blog ..Critiques have started =-.
@Chris Weigand, “buy a new car” – and now I weep.
Oh Shan that really sucks!! I’m not sure there is a DIY fix for that – but an auto detailer may be able to help – they should have the proper tools and such to take care of it. I’m sure it’s not the cheapest option but that is definitely a problem that needs resolving. I found this link but this looks to be more for spills that are fresh or haven’t seeped into the upholstry.
http://www.ehow.com/how_155790_remove-spoiled-milk.html
The only other thing I could think of would be to get the seat really wet with soap and water and after thoroughly scrubbing it and letting soap soak in…then maybe shopvac it? But I have no idea if that would really work 🙁
So sorry Shan! I hope it works out – I sent a gchat message to you with a name and address for an auto detailer near you 🙂
@Laura, Thanks Laura, I hadn’t though of a detailer, and I guess worse case scenario that may be an option to explore. Thanks for the link, and info:)
A possible alternate option to the auto detailer is a carpet cleaning company. They usually also handle upholstered furniture cleaning. What I think you’ll need is for them to shoot their cleaning fluid (might try a green company to reduce fumes and such) into the seat and then suck it back out (hopefully with the milk residue) with their powerful suction tools. You could also try the wand attachment on your Bissell home carpet shampooer, but I’m concerned it may be too late for home tools. Bummer.
.-= A Daddy Blog´s last blog ..New Warning on Baby Slings =-.
After Hurricane Rita we found out the hard way that wadded up newspapers and coffee beans will absorb the ‘funkiness’ from a refrigerator after a week with no power but full of food. I would try shoving some newspapers between the seat and the seat back (under the seat too?)and maybe laying a sock filled with coffee beans back there. You never know and it might be worth it before spending big bucks at a detailer. Good luck and let us know how it turned out.
Mix Baking soda and water together and pour it all over your seat. That will help with the smell. I spilled a cup of milk all over the floorboards in my car, sopped it up, and forgot about it for two days! It stunk to high heaven. I called a Mobile Car Detailer. They actually came out to my house and steam cleaned the carpets. It was only $40. And you would never know that I ever spilled milk in there. Good luck!
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Pouring my heart out, a day late! =-.
oh no Shan!!! Sorry that it spilt! I wonder if washing with soap and water and then rinsing with water and then drying with like a hairdryer or something like that might help? like you’re washing clothes kinda but the seat?good Luck!!!
.-= Nikki´s last blog ..Relaxed Pigeon – Yoga Pose =-.
@Nikki, The problem is that the seat looks fine, but the coffee sank ito the upholstery….so I’m not sure washing the top will work…I’ll try it though!
Wow, that suck! Thanks for stopping by from friday follow – Im following you back!
milk has enzymes and protein…
the same stinky culprits in pet poos and pottys…icky right?
lol
try the deodorizers meant for pet stains and odors..! 🙂
Oh no! I’ve done things like that before…no really good ideas, except to clean the carpets really good, let them dry…throw some baking soda on them every day and vacuum. LOL
Hi there….already following you, but wanted to stop in for FF and say howdy! 🙂
Tree (aka Mother of Pearl
http://www.motherofpearlitis.com
http://www.mommiesfaves.com
.-= Tree´s last blog ..Tasty Tuesday 3/16/10 =-.
Hey there! That sounds SO much like something I would do!! I really think that having it deep cleaned is the best way to go! I am a new follower! Thanks so much for following me!! 😀
Oh no! That is not cool. I’m not sure how you could get it out. Could you wetting the seat with water and some form of cleaner and using your wet vac?
Thanks for visiting and following me. I like your blog setup. I’m following you too. Have a great day!
Try the baking soda/water scrub and use your wet vac to suck it back up. If you park in a garage, leave the car windows open overnight.
btw, I’m following back from Friday Follow! Thanks for stopping by http://www.magicalmouseschoolhouse.com!
I’m following back from Friday Follow. Thanks for visiting my blog.
I
.-= Linda´s last blog ..Just Because We Can =-.
Nice blog, following you back from Friday Follow. Thanks for your visit!
.-= Ron´s last blog ..A sister admired =-.
if the baking soda doesnt work try some vinegar …
best of luck to ya … following from follow friday!
.-= Jo´s last blog ..it’s in the cards … =-.
Thanks for stopping by at my blog…following you from Friday Follow.
Sorry about the car 🙁 Love your blog
.-= Tenny ´s last blog ..Happy Friday Follow !!! =-.
Thanks for the follow! Following you from Friday Follow!
Nice to meet u shannon, you are my first visitor from overseas.
thanks. I put your link in my blogroll, i hope u can do the same. C.U 🙂
That’s really a bummer!! I wish I had an idea for you but I’ve enjoyed reading the suggestions you’ve gotten. Baking soda seems to be the big suggestion. Let us know if you get it out how you did it!!
Thanks for the follow I’ll be following you from Friday Follow
Hi! Thanks for following! I am following you back from FF.
Your blog is adorable!! Love the title!!
This sucks by the way! I love starbucks, but would hate to have a car that smelled like sour starbucks! I have no idea what to do . . . did you google it?
Hi, I follow this blog with google friend connect, please back to follow my blog.. 🙂
Follwing you back from Blogamajig! Yes Saturday still counts, I didn’t get around to everyone yesterday I am going to do at least a few everyday 🙂
That is why I have leather seats! Good luck.
.-= Semi-Slacker Mom´s last blog ..Dear Target =-.
Aw man, that sucks. I’d be more upset over losing my coffee than my van though, but that’s because my van is a pit. Spoiled milk would be an improvement. I’m pretty sure someone died in it before we bought it. Ok, maybe it isnt that bad, but add 4 kids to the mix, and its no meadow.
Thanks for the follow & comment. Following you back!
Elle
.-= Elle´s last blog ..Friday Follow =-.
Hi there Shannon, thanks for following my blog! Do I follow you already? I can’t remember…I will go do that now. We emailed before about your birth story for my blog and I have started posting those on Wednesdays so I’ll be getting in touch with you when I’m ready to post yours… is that okay?
Have a great weekend!
Jenny
.-= Southern Institute for Domestic Arts and Crafts´s last blog ..Today is… =-.
Hi from Friday Follow!
Thanks for stopping by~ my hubby works as a Starbucks roaster!!! 🙂
I just had to smile when I saw the photo…
For spoiled milk spills- I’ve used the natural laundry booster BORAX (sounds horrible but it really isn’t) Rub it in real good. Then dilute it with hot/boiled water. Use a sham-wow and get as much liquid out as possible. Rinse, repeat till gone. You can also sit a bowl of vinegar in the car overnight to absorb odors. Hope this helps~ I have also had a friend spill a slushy in my car (fruit punch flavor-eek!) Oxy clean got that out… Good Luck with that!
.-= Rachel´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.
VINEGAR!!!!!! My mother forgot an entire gallon of milk in her trunk and it exploded a week later in the heat. I told her to pour vinegar all over it and it took all the smell out. Good Luck!
PS thanks for stopping by my blog.
Arroyo Junkers and other Resurrections!
Cheers, SooZeQue
Oh I just love the look of your blog! I’m following you back! Can’t wait to ready more!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Jumping on the bandwagon… =-.
I would go with professionally cleaning or ‘detailing’ as I think it’s called. Hope the smell goes away for you! Hugs, Coreen
.-= Coreen Trost´s last blog ..Hoping that Autism Awareness brings Compassion and Understanding =-.
I agree with the commentor above, I think this calls for good ‘ol backng soda – it kills all smells. I used it on my carpet once – so it should work in your car? I knew that gel wouldn’t work. Anyway, hope you’ve solved the problem by now.
Okay let me go check out that lemon pepper shrimp recipe you got posted up there. Looks good, hope it’s easy. (I’m a sorta new follow just to remind you….I’ll be back!)
– Haupi
.-= Haupi´s last blog ..BEAUTIFUL, HISTORIC HAND FANS… =-.
Following you back from ff!
.-= Maria´s last blog ..Guerilla Fluff =-.