Spilled milk can be a double curse when it’s spilled in a car. And the stench just doesn’t go away on its own. If you leave it, over time, the situation gets worse, and God forbid if it happens in summer. The sour smell persists, making every trip unpleasant. Learn how to remove the milk smell from the car and fix it as quickly as possible.

Don’t ignore this seemingly minor problem, because spilled milk is a hundred times worse than spilled sodas or fruit juices. Milk can seep deep into a car’s upholstery or carpet and leave a sour smell that can linger for weeks, even months. Even if a quick spray of Febreze or installing an air freshener will briefly improve the smell of your interior, the smell of spoiled milk will come back pretty quickly, especially in hot weather.

Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure you properly clean up the mess and learn how to remove the milk smell from the car once and for all.

How to Remove the Milk Smell from the Car: 7 Methods

Blot the Spill as Soon as Possible

The very first step to remove the milk smell from the car is to absorb the spill as soon as it happens. Don’t skip this step. The less milk there is to deal with, the less work you’ll have later.

Use a paper towel or microfiber cloth to gently dab the spill to absorb it quickly, but do not rub the spill area. Rubbing will push the milk further into the carpet or padding.

Remove the Floor Mats

If milk has spilled onto the floor mats, they need to be removed from the car. If the milk stays on the floor mats, it will eventually turn sour and the smell will fill the entire car.

Follow these steps to wash the floor mats. If the floor mats are fabric or carpet without a rubber backing, they are machine washable. First use a stain remover on the spill, then put the mats in the washing machine. For more powerful cleaning power, use the warm or hot water setting.

If the floor mats have a rubber backing or are all plastic mats, do not put them in the washing machine. Instead, spray them with a hose or a pressure washer. Use dish soap on the stain to remove the milk.

The mats should then be left to air dry in the sun.

If milk touches other removable fabric parts, like removable seat covers, remove them to wash and dry them as soon as possible according to the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. You must do this strictly, even if it’s just a few drops.

Method 1: Baking Soda

Baking soda has been for decades one of the cheapest, but also most effective and versatile solutions for cleaning and eliminating odors. Since this method is inexpensive, very simple, and you probably have baking soda in your kitchen, it’s the first thing to try when you need to remove the milk smell from the car.

Sprinkle baking soda directly onto the carpet or upholstery where the milk was spilled. To be safe, you can go well beyond the spill area, as it’s likely the bacteria has started to spread.

Rub the baking soda into the fiber using a cloth or a soft-bristled brush. Let it sit for at least overnight to work its magic, or for three or four days if possible would be ideal.

Then, vacuum the baking soda from the upholstery, then put your nose to it. If a slight smell is still present, repeat these steps or move on to one of the other methods below, depending on the severity of the odor.

Method 2: Coffee Grounds

Besides baking soda, coffee grounds or whole coffee beans are widely used to absorb bad odors from households and cars. Many car owners also use coffee beans to get rid of the unpleasant smell of new cars, which takes no less than five years to completely disappear. This method is also inexpensive and simple and will leave your vehicle with a pleasant, light coffee scent.

Simply leave fabric bags filled with coffee beans or plastic containers filled with coffee grounds under your seats for about two weeks. If you’ve already tried the baking soda method or in case of a not too severe spill, this should help remove the spoiled milk smell from the car.

Method 3: White Vinegar

Another inexpensive method with something you probably already have in your kitchen: white vinegar. Spraying vinegar on the carpet or upholstery will help break down the enzymes present in the spilled milk, effectively eliminating the smell from your car. Its use is also completely safe and environmentally friendly.

Be aware that unless you want your vehicle to have an extremely strong vinegar smell, mix vinegar with water. Use a spray bottle and mix four parts water to one part vinegar.

Spray the spill area until it is soaked with diluted vinegar. Let it soak for about five hours, then dry it with a washcloth or clean towel.

If the spill occurs on non-removable parts, it’s best to leave the vehicle’s windows open to allow air to ventilate. Otherwise, remove the mat, proceed with cleaning, then let it air dry in the sun.

Method 4: Carpet Cleaners

A household carpet cleaner should work well on carpeted floor mats or any carpeted area of your car. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. In most cases, it is advisable to let the product sit for at least an hour, then vacuum it up.

Method 5: Enzyme Sprays

If the smell persists after the above methods, it’s time to bring out the heavy artillery. Enzyme sprays are environmentally friendly and use proteins and enzymes to break down the molecular structure of stains. Essentially, the bacteria eat away at the mess while eliminating odors.

Spray on the problem area and let it work for a day or two before blotting it with a paper towel or cloth.

Important notes: Always do a test beforehand to avoid staining your carpet or upholstery. Also, these sprays should not be used on leather interiors.

Method 6: Steam Clean the Carpet

If the spill is large or has been sitting for a while, using a steam cleaner will allow you to remove any embedded milk.

If you don’t have one, look online to rent a steam cleaner. A steam cleaner provides a deep clean by spraying a cleaning solution and steaming hot water onto the carpet or fabric, then vacuuming up the water and dirt. This will suck up all the milk residue responsible for the odors, thus eliminating the sour smell once and for all.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and change the water frequently during the process. The carpet or upholstery must dry completely for 12 hours after cleaning.

Method 7: Charcoal Bags

Once the stain is cleaned, consider placing charcoal bags in the car on or near the spill point. Bamboo charcoal will effectively absorb any lingering bad odors. It is also environmentally friendly and perfectly safe if you are sensitive to commercial cleaning solutions.

Tips: Ventilate the Vehicle

Once the spill is cleaned, leaving the car windows open will help air out the smell. Direct sunlight will also help dry the stain, kill bacteria, and eliminate odors.