Yesterday morning, I opened the door of the van and just about threw up.
Just close your eyes for a second and imagine the smelliest thing you've ever smelt. (Most of you are moms, so this should be easy.) Now imagine something a million times worse.
The good news is I found what was causing it: a sippy cup that rolled under the seat. That had what was once milk in it. Did I mention it has been around 100 degrees here lately? Gag.
The bad news is that after removing the aforementioned grossness… my minivan still reeks. REEKS.(It was that stinky.) I've Febreezed and Resolved and cracked the windows tonight. I'm hoping it will be better tomorrow. I'm really hoping it will be better before I drive to Ohio on Thursday. (Because the only thing more fun than driving to Ohio with three small kids by yourself is doing it in a stinky van!!)
As a result of this incident, our kids have changed the name of our van.
It used to be called "Wall-E" because it was big, grey and filled with garbage.
Now they are calling it "Stinky Yuck Van." Cute.
And, yes, we rode in that Stinky Yuck Van today. When Mama's got to go to Target, no stinky van is going to stop her.
Any suggestions on de-stinking a car would be appreciated!
UPDATE:
Thanks so much for all of your very helpful advice on dealing with Stinky Yuck Van.
The smell is almost gone after just two days! (Thank you, Lord!) I Resolved the carpets, Febrezed the seats and put a container of baking soda in the car and let in bake in the sun for two days.
About Melissa
buy some boxes or baking soda – the fridge/freezer boxes…buy about 10 since they are cheap…keep them in there…
Yikes! Sounds like something we have gone through before. Hope it smells better today! I’m visiting you from MBC!
Baking Soda is what I was going to say too. We had a little girl (who shall remain nameless…) spill milk in the car and not tell us. Yeah…that was fun. Baking soda helped a TON.
Just get one of those air fresheners from the gas station. That’s what I use
ugh. Jake spilled chocolate milk all over the backseat once and it still lingers. If my car wasn’t only a year old, I’d buy a new one.
baking soda and vinegar help. some
I am sick right now and nearly got sicker just reading ABOUT the stinky yuck van. Being in it, certainly, I could not handle.
you are one strong woman…
I used dawn – hot soapy water and scrubbed. It took two times of scrubbing it down. Dawn dish det. works wonders…even on stains on clothes. You have to be careful so that you aren’t using something that has you breathing in the chemicals later. Especially with our hot weather lately.
I would agree with the baking soda recommendations. I’ve been there with milk in the car – I guess it’s the price I pay for constantly feeding Aubryn on the go. Also, rolling down the windows and letting the van sit in the sun might help too. I’ve had that work with milk spilled on the car seat.
I feel your pain … a pound of butter rolled out of a grocery bag and under my seat … in May … the Friday of Memorial Day weekend … come Tuesday – YUCK!
We had a gallon of milk leak in the trunk of my van. I had the stinky yuck van for a while. I used carpet cleaner on it several times–but it was actually in the rug (and under it). I’m sure if your sippy cup didn’t leak, the smell will soon be gone. Nothing like seriously hot humid weather to help that….yuck is right.
Okay, I have nothing to add on how to get the stink out of your van. BUT … your story reminded me of a hilarious you tube video that you MUST watch called “Mom my ride”. Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEFE3B0Rje0
Let me know what you think of it! I laughed so hard.
i don’t think i can imagine a worse smell than my husband’s laundry bag after a week at the police academy….you poor thing!
Oh yuck, I’m sorry. No suggestions that haven’t already been voiced (baking soda- leave out a few tubs of it). But I like your new photo!
I’ve been driving my van for 8 years with 3 kids…. it doesn’t smell like roses anymore. We had a few formula/milk explosions over the years. I know how disgustin it is. Try a pet stain/odor remover. And I agree with Amy – “Mom My Ride” always makes me laugh!
Oh YUCK! You’ll have to post how you solved this one.
I so feel your pain I have vacumed my van but after only having it 6 months it no longer smells anywhere close to being new going to have to shampoo after we get done camping : ) I will try to baking soda idea to