What could happen to your beloved carpet in the worst-case scenario? For most of us, spilling milk on the carpet isn’t a huge concern, but it won’t be until things get serious. Milk can quickly penetrate deep into the fibres of carpets due to their high absorbency, causing persistent stains and unpleasant odours.
These stains can be a lot more trouble than say your typical paint stain or ink stain, which just sits on your carpet. Milk bacteria will grow and convert natural carbohydrates into lactic and acetic acids. As a result, the affected area will turn yellow and emit a bad odour. Is it possible to get rid of that odour? Follow these simple yet effective tips:
What’s the first step?
Before you start cleaning, keep in mind the following tricks to make the cleaning process easier:
- Avoid rubbing at a stain to prevent milk from getting further into the fibres;
- Using a clean towel, mop up any excess liquid first;
- Perform a spot test on a hidden area of the carpet;
- Wipe at the spot to remove as much as possible;
- Use a carpet cleanser and a tiny, soft brush to remove any remaining marks.
How to remove milk smell from your carpet
There are several ways that might help you save your carpet:
1. Dish soap and Ammonia
Combine 2 cups lukewarm water with 1 tbsp. of dish soap. Slowly clean in a circular motion. Slightly rub the stain from the outside in tiny, circular strokes towards the centre with the moist cloth. Allow as long as possible to decrease and disrupt the milk stains. Clean the stained area using a sponge soaked in a mixture of 2 cups lukewarm water and 1 tbsp. of Ammonia.
Dip another sponge in cold water and thoroughly clean the area. Using a clean sponge wet with cold water, rinse the area. After that, use a clean, dry towel to absorb as much moisture as possible.
2. Ground coffee
Drop some fresh ground coffee over the area that’s creating the odour. The fragrance should be quickly absorbed by coffee grounds. Once the coffee grounds have absorbed the liquid and are no longer smelling, vacuum them up (give it an hour or two).
3. Vinegar
Allow half an hour to settle after spraying vinegar immediately on the stain. Using a clean cloth, blot the stain or use a steam cleaner to clear the stained area. Allow time for the area to dry. The vinegar smell, as well as the scent of spilt milk, will go away as time goes on.
4. Baking soda
Make a cleaning solution by mixing one teaspoon of bleach-free washing up liquid and two cups of warm water. Apply your solution to the odour-causing area using a sponge.
Then, right onto the carpet where the spilt milk odour resides, pour baking soda. Allow the baking soda to sit overnight. Clean up the baking soda with a little brush the next morning, and then vacuum the area completely.
Call a professional…
Professional carpet cleaning will remove the milk smell from your carpet more thoroughly than you can. It will help your carpet last longer, so you won’t need to splurge on a new carpet in case you ruin it. Not only will a professional carpet cleaning service help fight milk stains, but it’ll also eliminate dirt, allergens, and grime.