How to Remove Sour Milk Odors from Carpet

Sour milk leaves a strong odor that can become overwhelming. Fortunately, there are a variety of items that can be used to remove the odor quickly and nearly effortlessly. Select a method below, and if one method doesn’t completely remove the smell, try another.

• Sprinkle fresh (unused) coffee grounds onto the carpet. Allow it to set for at least a couple of hours. Then vacuum away. Keep in mind that although the coffee grounds will remove the sour milk smell, they will leave a coffee odor in its place.

• Set a bowl of vinegar in the odor-filled area for a several days. It also works to spray the vinegar directly onto the carpet. Blot it up with a clean cloth or remove with a steam cleaner. There will be a slight vinegar odor, but it will dissipate as the carpet dries.

• Carpet deodorizers (Ex: Carpet Fresh for Pets) designed for pets are made to absorb odors. Sprinkle some over the affected area and allow it to set for a day or so. Vacuum away when the smell is gone. If you need to drive the car while the powder is in place or if you have kids or pets that could disturb the powder, you can tape some plastic wrap over the area. Be sure to use a weak tape like Scotch tape to avoid damaging the carpet.

• OdoBan is a commercial odor-removal product. It is readily available at Wal-Mart, etc. Follow the application instructions on the package to remove odors from all kinds of surfaces.

• Regular hydrogen peroxide can be used to remove odors as well. Before spraying on the entire carpet, apply it on a small area first to test for any adverse reaction. Only use regular household peroxide. The kind used to bleach hair is too aggressive and will bleach the carpet. Spray it on and allow it to set until it stops “fizzling.” Blot it up with a clean cloth or remove it with a wet vac.

• There are products available, such as Kids ‘N’ Pets or Nature’s Miracle that are designed to remove the proteins that leave odors, such as cat urine. Milk odors also come from proteins left in the carpet. Applying these enzyme-based products will help to eliminate the odor. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application. These products can be found in the pet aisle of most supermarkets.

• Any of the above methods can be repeated until the odor is removed.