How to Remove the Smell of Curdled Milk From Wood

A milk spill on wood will eventually leave a curdled mess and odor.

Wood furniture and flooring is porous in nature and absorb moist stains. When a milk spill on wood is left unattended, it eventually sours, leaving a curdled mess. Even after the curdled milk is removed, the sour odor can linger in the wood. A thorough cleaning with supplies that deodorize the wood will remove the smell of curdled milk from wood.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Pet odor neutralizer
• Bucket
• Mild oil-based wood soap
• Clean cloths

Instructions

1. Remove any curdled milk substance from the wood floor with paper towels. Dampen the towel with water to remove dried milk.

2. Pour pet odor neutralizer onto the wood that's emitting the curdled milk odor. Allow the neutralizer to sit on the surface for a few minutes. Pet odor neutralizer contains enzymes that attack and break down odor-causing bacteria so the smell can be removed.

3. Wipe off the pet odor neutralizer with paper towels.

4. 

   Wood soap leaves your floor clean.

   Mix 2 capfuls of a mild, oil-based wood soap with 1 gallon warm water. Saturate a clean cloth with the mild soap solution before wringing out all excess moisture. Wash the wood floor at the site of the odor to clean the surface of milk residue.

5. Rinse the wood by wiping it off with a damp cloth. Dry with another cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover the smelly portion of hardwood floor with baking soda. Leave the soda on the wood overnight to absorb surface odor. Vacuum or sweep up the baking soda to remove it.

• Always wring out cleaning cloths and sponges when cleaning wood flooring. Excess moisture can cause water marks or damage.

References

• University of Kentucky; Care of Furniture; Linda R. Adler, M.A.; December 1996
• University of Kentucky; Odors: What's That Smell?; Linda R. Adler, M.A.; January 1997
• Good Housekeeping; 4 Rules for Beautiful Wood Floors; Carolyn Forte; September 2010