How do I get the smell out?

Question

There was a funky smell in my car and it took me two days to figure out where it was coming from. Apparently when I went shopping on Sunday a package of pork chops fell out of the bags and was left in my trunk for two days in 100 degree weather. The stink was incredible and now I can't get rid of it! The smell is not nearly as bad as it was before I got rid of those rotting porkchops, but now it will not go away. I sprayed the entire car out with Febreeze but it only sort of covered the smell and didn't get rid of it. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

open a bag of charcoal and let it set in the trunk, that ought to absorb the odors. then after a week or so I would spray a very heavy water/vinegar solution all in the trunk.

Answer 2

Make sure the pork chop area is not damp from leakage, then open up the trunk and allow it to air out for an hour or so. Sprinkle baking soda in the trunck and the floor carpet and upholstery of your cars interior and allow that to sit with everything all closed up for 30 minutes and then vacuum it all up.

If the pork chop area got wet from leakage you might want to get some carpet foam cleaner and clean it...just be careful not to ge things too damp and allow to dry thoroughly that means with the trunk open for several hours. The heat and the moisture make it humid and will make the odors more intense. Once it is dry then do the baking soda trick I mentioned earlier.

Answer 3

You have to kill the bacteria that are generating the smell. Apparently, some liquid must have leaked out onto the trunk carpet. You can try Lysol to kill them or remove the carpet and shampoo it using antibacterial soap. Just be sure to rinse it well and let it dry completely before re-installing. Some detail places can do this inside the car too, but they cost big bucks.

Answer 4

I would also recommend cleaning it thoroughly. But this odor may be a little too much for baking soda, you may want to try ammonia instead. I know ammonia is really stinky, but it will absorb any odors. Just put a little in a dish and put it in your trunk. It will absorb the odors, and the smell of ammonia will dissapate very quickly.

Answer 5

you could try pouring the baking soda over the area it was left...or maybe even cat litter because its absorbant. leave it there then vacuum a couple days later. they make car freshners like the airwick that u put in your vent...they smell really good and strong...maybe that would help too. Let your car air out...put the windows down and open the trunk.

Answer 6

Try putting an open box of baking soda in the trunk to absorb the smell.

Answer 7

Use a Pet Odor spray. It's main function is to illuminate the urine smell, but it works great on other hard core smells like cigarette smoke, burnt beans, etc...

Answer 8

Having the interior professionally cleaned might help. They will shampoo the carpet and everything for a decent price.

Answer 9

By smelling it!