How to Get a Spoiled-Milk Smell Out of a Car

Milk does a body good, but spilled in your car it's a completly different story.

Milk spills in a car from leaky baby bottles or improperly sealed containers of milk can create a rather smelly problem. Milk has a tendency to go bad rather quickly, and when it does that smell can linger in the confined space of your vehicle and make your travel unpleasant. Rather than driving with your windows open or using air fresheners, there's a much more simple and effective way to rid your vehicle of that odor.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towel
• Plastic utensil
• Clean cloth
• White vinegar
• Baking soda

Instructions

1. Blot the area where the milk spilled with a paper towel if it's still damp. If the milk has dried and left behind a residue, use a dull, plastic utensil to gently loosen it from the upholstery.

2. Sponge the area with a clean cloth dipped in white vinegar.

3. Sponge the area a second time with a clean, damp cloth dipped in cold water.

4. Allow the area to air dry for at least 12 hours. Be sure the windows in the car are open enough to allow fresh air to circulate through the car.

5. Place a dish of baking soda in the car to help absorb lingering odors. Let the baking soda sit overnight.

Tips & Warnings

• Fresh coffee grounds, white vinegar, and activated charcoal are effective for absorbing odors and can be used in place of baking soda.

References

• Life Style Lounge: How To Get Rid Of Sour Milk Smell
• UsedCar Roadshow: Ask Pipes
• Edmunds Carspace: How to Remove Odors from Your Car or Truck's Interior