Sour milk smell in car.

[Jinglepot]

I unfortunately left a 2 L carton of milk in the boot of the car for about 10 days and only discovered it yesterday when it was really sunny and hot. Luckily it was in a plastic bag, but there was a bit of a dribble from the container when it was lifted out. The smell is awful. There wasn't any visible stain in the boot, so I left everything open in the hope that the pong would clear. . 'Fraid not.
Can anyone please help me asap. I'm rather desperate!!
Hope some of you can advise me.

[Ethel]

Sprinkle a lot of bicarb in the boot, leave overnight. Vaccuum out next day.

Then clean with warm soapy water.

If that doesn't solve it you will need to lift the carpet out and throw away the wadding underneath. You will never be able to clean that.

[Caladon]

a steam vacuum cleaner (like a vax) may work... but I doubt it.
I have known of people to sell their cars because of spilt milk (no pun intended). You will need to remove lining in the boot and start again.

[Jinglepot]

Thank you Ethel and Caladon. I'll start off with the bicarb tomorrow morning and see (smell)what happens by Monday, then soapy wash. I do have a steam cleaner so if Ethel's ides doesn't kill the pong I'll steam clean and take the lining out to scrub the lot. Thanl you for your advice. Hope it works cause I somehow don't think selling is an option unfortunately.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Many thanks.

[Man in Black]

I`m afraid you really do have a problem. I took my shopping off the back seat of my car last summed but di not notice that that a think of butter had fallen under the seat. Just a few days later the smell made me investigate - by now of course it had melted and no amou8nt of scrubbing could shift the smell. I too have a steam cleaner but I also resorted to very strong disinfectant to cover up the small, all to no avail. Being an oldish car I had to scrap it as I knew I no hope of selling it.

[Whickerman]

You will never - never -get rid of that smell yourself. I can tell you that from personal experience.

But, don't panic. If you go through your yellow pages you should be able to find a valeting service that offers ozone cleaning. That's what you'll need, and although it can be expensive (depending on the area affected) it's cheaper than a new car.

[Jinglepot]

Whickerman, at the moment I've got the bicarb. sprinkled on. I'll leave it til tomorrow and see what happens, but thank you for your suggestion. I'll get the yellow pages out now and start looking for a backup.

How daft was I??? --- no answers please ;O)

[Whickerman]

it happens...

With us it was a 2litre plastic carton that leaked in the shopping. Will never make that mistake agaiin!

[Panic Button]

As it is the boot, perhaps if it soiled the carpet insert you can throw it away and buy a new one?

[Whickerman]

actually, that could well work...

[ramesh046]

vinager is the answer to everything!!

[Jinglepot]

Ramesh, thank you for your suggestion, I have the 'vinegar' book and do agree it has the answer to a lot of ills.I think I'm( fingers and toes crossed )going to be ok.I bicarbed the boot and left it, then took the carpet out , it was scrubbed and left out to dry in the sun for 4 days. I sprayed the interior with Oust( thinking I was wasting my time) but I knew nothing had been spilled in the inside of the car. Have to say, I was pleasantly surprised to find the pong had lessened. I resprayed it this afternoon and do believe I am lucky and that the car will be habitable without the use of gasmasks!!
Thank you all for your advice- very much appreciated!!!