How To Clean Sour Milk From Carpet
You likely have heard to not over spilled milk, but it still isn't fun getting milk on your carpet. Milk left too long in the carpet can grow sour and cause a repugnant smell. The trick is to act quickly as soon as you notice a spill, but even if you haven't noticed the spill until you smell a foul odor, you can still clean it. Follow these carpet cleaning instructions to remove sour milk smells from your carpet.
Prepare to Clean the Spill
To clean sour milk from carpet, you need:
- white towels or cloths
- sponge
- butter knife
- spray bottle (optional)
- old toothbrush
- dishwashing liquid or laundry paste
- baking soda or corn starch
- coffee grounds (optional)
- white vinegar
Check the label on your carpet to determine safe cleaning techniques. Don't apply cleaners until you test it for color reaction on a hidden area of carpet.
Use a towel or cloth to blot as much of the liquid a possible, if any remains. Scrape dried particles with a butter knife. If dried particles are tough, to remove, moisten a towel or rag with rubbing alcohol, and blot.
Clean the Stain with Dish Soap or Laundry Paste
Mix a teaspoon of liquid dish soap in two cups of warm water, not hot. Water that is too hot will cause the stain to set further in the carpet and increase odor.
Dip a sponge in the solution, and dab the spot. Until the stain has been removed. If the stain persists, sprinkle some baking soda on the spot, then mist it with water. Baking soda commonly turns yellow.as it soaks residue.
Let it stand several hours or overnight, loosen it with a toothbrush, then vacuum. Use cornstarch in the same manner for fresh stains.
Alternately, wet the spot with cool water, spread some laundry paste on the stain. Use the toothbrush to work the paste in the area, then rinse.
Remove the Smell
Vinegar helps to break up the enzymes from the milk trapped in carpet fibers. To remove the smell, place a bowl of white vinegar near the area for several days.
Alternately, ix one part vinegar to six parts warm water. Fill a spray bottle with the mixture, and mist some solution on the spot. Let to stand several minutes blot, then rinse.
Coffee grounds also work to remove the sour milk smell, but be aware it could leave a coffee scent. Sprinkle fresh coffee grounds on the stain, and leave it overnight, blot it with cool water to rinse, then vacuum.