How to Remove Spoiled Milk Odors from a Car's Interior

Last Updated: March 29, 2019 Approved

Spilled milk can seep deep into into car upholstery and leave nasty lingering odors. It does not matter whether you are dealing with old spills or brand new ones. There are ways to restore your car's great smell, and prevent those spoiled milk odors from returning when milk spills again.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning All Liquids and Spills

1
Pat dry spilled milk. Immediately after a spill, clean up any excess spilled milk that is still wet or visible. This will help to remove spoiled milk smells from inside a car and make it easier to clean later on.^{[1]
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- Use paper towels, a white wash cloth, or a sponge and press it against any fabric or upholstery where milk has spilled. Continue padding the area until you have soaked up all of the moisture.^{[2]
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2
Remove and wash the floor mats and seat covers. Any fabric or area that has a spill on it and can be removed, should.^{[3]
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- Floor mats without plastic or rubber can be washed in a household washing machine. Spray the mats with a stain remover, and put them in the washing machine on warm.
- All other materials should be sprayed with a hose or washed in a tub with water and soap. Let the mats air dry in the house or outside in the sun.
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3
Utilize a wet vacuum. Use a deep cleaning or steam cleaning vacuum to get deep-set spoiled milk odors out of your car. Many steam cleaners use solutions with special cleaning agents to eliminate food smells, which could help you get rid of the smell of spoiled milk.
4
Hire an expert. Spoiled milk odors that persist after you've tried home remedies could be so deep in your car's upholstery that you can't reach them with simple methods. Consult an upholstery cleaning expert or a professional car retailer about having the car professionally cleaned and detailed to remove the spoiled milk odors from the car's interior.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Neutralizing and Removing the Odor

1
Use coffee grounds to pull stubborn odors. Coffee grounds will help to absorb spoiled odors that come from old milk and leave behind a coffee scent that will help mask unpleasant smells.
- Fill plastic containers with coffee grounds and slide them under your car seats. Let them stay there for about two weeks.
2
Use the power of baking soda. Apply a layer of baking soda on the affected area to absorb moisture and spoiled milk odors. Baking soda works to filter the air and remove bad odors.
- Allow the area where the milk has spilled to dry completely before sprinkling baking soda directly on the area. Let it sit for three to four days, and then vacuum it out of the upholstery.
3
Spray white vinegar. Vinegar has strong, odor-fighting powers, so try using it if spoiled milk odors are present. This will help break up enzymes from the milk trapped in the car's upholstery and reduce the odors. Best of all, it is safe to use and does not contain any dangerous chemicals.
- Mix one part white vinegar with four parts water into a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar mixture directly to the affected area until it is completely drenched. Let it soak for about four to five hours, and then blot the area dry with a white wash cloth.^{[4]
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- Leave your car windows open to allow air ventilation.^{[5]
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4
Try an enzyme spray. Purchase an enzyme cleaning product at your nearby home improvement store and spray any milk affected areas. The enzyme spray will eat away at the odor residues and leave a fresh scent behind.^{[6]
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- Let the enzyme spray to set in for one to two days, and then blot the area dry.
- Do not use an enzyme spray on leather or suede.
5
Try a carpet cleaner. Carpet cleaners have strong chemicals in them that work to clean deep into fabrics. Just be sure to remove any moisture left behind after you have finished using the carpet cleaning.
- Read the instructions to determine how long you need to leave on the product and then vacuum it out.
6
Air your car out. One of the reason spoiled milk odors develop are because the moisture becomes trapped in the car and start to grow mildew. After a spill, or during a cleaning session, leave you car windows open and in the sun so the upholstery can dry out, and new air can flow in.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Milk Odors from Returning

1
Wipe up any spills immediately. The longer milk, or any type of spill sits, the harder it is to remove the stain and smell. The sooner you soak up the spill, the better your chances are at preventing a smell from forming.
2
Let fresh air in. After milk is spilled, it is always a good idea to open the car windows for a few hours. This will allow any milk moisture that has evaporated into your car's air to leave and be replaced with fresh air.^{[7]
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3
Keep the inside of the car clean. Food and liquid can provide favorable conditions for bacteria to begin growing and smelling. Regularly vacuuming and shaking off car floor mats can be a great way to prevent bad odors.

Community Q&A

Question

I was unaware that a 1/2 gallon of milk was left in the car for over 3 days. It exploded and smelled rancid. I had the car professionally cleaned, but it still smells horrible, what do I do?

Community Answer

If the area is dry, mix cinnamon with baking soda and sprinkle it into the carpet. Leave it on for several days. Fill any ashtrays with it as well. Then vacuum it up. There is also a product called "Odaban" that works well, you can buy it at Walmart or Home Depot.
Question

How do I get under the seats when removing spoiled milk odors?

Community Answer

You will need to remove the seats. Be aware that modern seats, with all their motors and electrics, are quite heavy though.
Question

How can I resolve the smell in my car from spilled, spoiled milk?

Community Answer

Try pouring boiling water over it. The smell should disappear quickly.