Best remedy for spilled milk in a vehicle?

[Mrs MIA]

It's my own fault for waiting so long to clean it, but I finally got down to it and disassembled my truck to get the vinyl flooring out, and I need some advice on the best deodorizer for the padding.

The story...About a month ago, I had a (then) fresh gallon of goats milk pop open and spill in the back seat of the extended cab of my little pick up. Now, I purposely ordered my truck with vinyl flooring so that this sort of thing wouldn't happen, but of course the jug spilled from the back towards the front, and all the milk seeped in through the bolt-holes where the seats attach to the floor. The smell finally got so bad (we've been in the 80s the last few days!) that I sucked it up and started tearing into it. Well, the milk didn't flow out like I thought it had... it had all soaked up into the soundproof padding under the passenger seat, and not only curdled, but there were living things in there...

I literally removed everything but the gearshift, and with hubby's help pulled the vinyl out of the truck, nearly tossing cookies in the process. This was BAD. We've hosed out and cleaned out the inside of the truck, though the odor is still lingering, and the vinyl with attached padding has been hosed down until the water ran clean. I want to treat it again, and take it to the car-wash and high-pressure wash it to get it super clean, but wondering what anyone else in this predicament has done to deodorize...
baking soda (can I mix a water solution?)
Borax?
Vinegar?
Nature's Miracle? (I might have to go to Anchorage to find it unless I order it online)
I've seen mention of all of these things, but no "recipes" for amounts to use. I even have a spray-on carpet deodorizer (Arm & Hammer) that is intended for use in homes with pets.
Or is it just easier to get some padding and replace it. It's the 1/2" fabric padding like the stuff that's used under carpets.
The pad is still dripping on the railing... help?? I think I'm going to put the driver seat back in the truck for now, and take it to the car-wash later today... I'm such a doofus for waiting so long...

 

[debilorrah]

Poor Febreeze all over it. I got the skunk smell out of my cat with Febreeze.

 

[NRacine]

Eeeew! Have you tried diluted bleach? You may have to replace it. Eew, I may barf just thinking of what it smells like.

 

[NancyDz]

I think I might replace it. If you try these things, then put your truck back together and still have the smell... well that's a lot of work and you'll have to do it again anyway.

Good luck!

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
You are right about that! I'm so tired and sore today from tearing into it, though now I know how to do it and it wouldn't take long at all.

I'm sort of proud of myself for the disassembly process... hopefully I can get it all back together without that extra screw!!! LOL! I just don't have a lot of extra money right now, which is why I'm trying to do it myself. Otherwise I would have let someone else deal with it!

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

Don't know if it will work or not but you might try to make the homemade laundry soap recipe. I used it on my rugs and it took out every stain that was in the carpeting even old pet stains I could not get out. The other ay my older dog threw up on the carpet. It was a dark brown stain when DH cleaned it up but I put some homemade detergent on it and it took the stain right out. It deorderizes as well.

 

[maplesky7]

first pour vinegar all over it and then later make a solution of oxy-clean and finish it up... let dry in the hot sun.

at least that's what i would try.

 

[Quack Shack]

Had a similar incident with a thanksgiving turkey and we used vinegar. Yes, the car smelled like a pickle for probably 3 months but that was better than fouled fowl. Could be a case of car BO like in the Seinfeld episode where Jerry's car stinks! Gotta For Sale sign?

 

[AmyBella]

Ugh! I spilled almost a 1/2 gallon between the seats in my car a couple months ago. (And I could not clean it thoroghly for 2 days) First I cleaned it with laundry detergent. No effect. I tried seltzer next, blotted and sprinkled with baking soda. Nope. Then came two applications of vinegar, also sprinkled with baking soda. It helped, but still smelled when it dried. I hit it with some Citra-Solve and that finally did the trick.

If you can replace the fabric part, that might actually be easier! Good luck!

 

[Mrs MIA]

Hmmm.... I was wondering about a citrus cleaner. I think I'm still going to try to treat and then hit it with the pressure-wash at the car wash, and after letting it dry if it still smells, then I'll replace the padding. There's a fire-proof material on the floor that is painted on, and even THAT still smells.

I'm just wondering if I'm missing some cheese curds somewhere in a nook or cranny...

Thanks for all the ideas, guys...