Deep clean or replace carpet after beer explosion

[Jester4kicks]

I wasn't sure where to put this, since it kinda covers a variety of topics and can apply to just about any car.

I've got a 2006 4runner SR5. For xmas, a friend gave me a bottle of Tactical Nuclear Penguin (google it). It was absolutely terrible, and only got worse when the temporary stopper exploded out on the drive home and blasted the back of my car with nasty beer.

I've already had the car shampooed, and I think most of it has been taken care of. However, there is a sizeable area directly below the back of the driver's seat that took the brunt of the spill. This area still reaks (sp?) of bad beer, even after the interior shampoo.

At this point, I'm not sure if I should continue trying to clean it, or if I should just plan on replacing the carpet (and possibly the pad underneath). Cleaning will be tough because it's all around the rear-right driver's seat mount and right up against that rise that goes through the middle of the car.

It also got all over the netting on the back of the driver's seat, and the flap that tucks underneath the driver's seat from the back. I'm not sure if those parts can be easily removed, cleaned, or replaced.

I thought about removing the driver's seat and cleaning it thoroughly with a little Bissel steam/vac cleaner. Does anyone have a good walkthrough for removing the seat?

I'm at a loss here... and I can't stand funky smells in my car. ANY advice is welcome!

Thanks in advance.

 

[camdz]

I would definitely remove the drivers seat so you can get to the issue easier. Maybe try some of that Natures Miracle stuff you buy at pet stores? Ive seen that get rid of some pretty nasty pet odors. I think they even have some for skunk sprays. The problem may be in the padding under the carpet.

 

[Jester4kicks]

I would definitely remove the drivers seat so you can get to the issue easier. Maybe try some of that Natures Miracle stuff you buy at pet stores? Ive seen that get rid of some pretty nasty pet odors. I think they even have some for skunk sprays. The problem may be in the padding under the carpet.

That's an interesting idea! I've got some nature's miracle spray already (works GREAT for puppy accidents). I might give that a shot.

 

[Maritimer]

Once you remove the carpet, cleaning it would be extremely simple. Plus, you gotta remove it to replace it anyway. I vote for cleaning.

 

[Glock_19]

If I were you I would definitely take the seat out and give it a thorough cleaning, if it works you'll save money and if it doesn't you haven't really hurt anything trying.

 

[adio3x]

You didn't even get to drink it?? I would def take the seats out and give the carpet a nice shampoo and steam.

 

[Jester4kicks]

Oh, we got to drink it... and we all wish we hadn't. It was absolutely vile. Think about the kick/aftertaste of a double IPA, add in the dark, burned taste of a Guiness... freeze it, remove the water, freeze it again, remove the water... then stick what's left in a whiskey cask for 5 years.

Absolutely awful, and the smell matches it.

I saw the related thread at the bottom of this page detailing how to remove the seat. I'm going to go ahead and remove the driver's seat, use a bissel carpet cleaner to thoroughly clean it with their cleaning solution, and then again with some Nature's Miracle.

While the seat is out, I'm going to see if I can tell how much of the smell in embedded in the seat back and the netting. If it is... where do I go from there? Do I just have to scrub the seat back? Or is there a process for removing the entire seat covering and cleaning it?

Thanks again for the responses!

 

[Trevloc]

If it is... where do I go from there? Do I just have to scrub the seat back? Or is there a process for removing the entire seat covering and cleaning it?

i would just scrub it. much easier.
i take my seats out once a month when i do my detailing, makes vaccuming a ton easier.

 

[topdown4runner]

I concur, taking the seat out makes it much easier to clean around.

After your done cleaning, and also using the Natures Miracle ( works great by the way - 4 cats ) I use it on all my vehicle stains.

Beg, borrow, or buy an ozone generator. You could also take the truck to an auto detailer. A lot of them use them to remove cigarett smells, baby puke smells, etc....
I have one and it works!
The one I have I got off Ebay a few years back for like $25. Haven't found a smell it could not get rid of yet.....

You can also look on your local craigslist... Here is one I just found in my local C's list that is just like mine.

AIR CLEANER - Air Purifier - Living Air - Model 880 - Like New - $75

Clean 'er up and ozone the smell away. Just put the seat back in, plug this in and let it run for a day.
The truck will smell like ozone for a day or so, but it will go away.

Good luck!

 

[Trevloc]

Clean 'er up and ozone the smell away. Just put the seat back in, plug this in and let it run for a day.

how do you plug it in?
run an extention cord and leave a window cracked?
would that cause it to take more time if you had a window cracked?
or do you use an adapter inside the car and leave your battery running all day?

im a smoker and once in a while i have my neices in the car and would like to get rid of the smell. i cant stand having smoke around kids. i usually just drive all day with a new air freshner and windows down.

plus, getting rid of the smell once in a while couldnt hurt.

 

[topdown4runner]

Sorry to contradict you, but all putting in an air freshener in your ride will do is give you a fruity-cigarette smoke smelling interior. That smoke is imbedded into the foam of the cushions, into the fabric of the seats, carpets, headliner, etc... your just adding more smells to your truck, not removing anything.
Cigarette smoke it the hardest to get rid of.
These directions work for all odors.
To get rid of cigarette smoke:

Give your interior a good cleaning, wiping down of surfaces, etc....

Pick a saturday ( or any day you'll be home all day and not going anywhere )

Put the ozone machine in the truck the NIGHT before, or as soon as you get home and know you will not be leaving the rest of the night, or the next day.

Plug it in, usually with an extension cord run to the house. Close the door to the vehicle.

Close ALL the windows. You want the ozone to be concentrated after all.

Turn ALL the settings to MAX. Let 'er rip!

Do not open the truck until the following day ( sunday ), or as long as you can let this go on....

For the last 2 hours or so, put your key in the ignition, turn it to accessory ( or what ever you need to do to make the A/C fan blower motor turn.)
Turn the fan blower on to re-circulate.
You want to get the cigarette smell out of the duct work, blower motor, etc...
Of course, you will need to do this in a secure location. Have a 2nd set of keys so you can lock your doors.

After it is all done, open 'er up and air it out.

Again, it will smell like ozone for a few days since it is impregnated into the fabric, foam, etc... of everything pourous in the truck.

This works every time.

 

[MikesToy]

If it were me, i'd steam clean, shampoo, then pour some Carpet Fresh powder and vacuuum away. Also, vacuum my air cabin filter and spray some cologne on the filter. Mmmmmm.......

 

[KB084RUNNER]

I have removed cigar smoke smell from my trucks by simply detailing and then leaving all the windows down on a sunny day until the smell is gone. Sometimes takes 2 or 3 repeat days but has always worked for me.

 

[Jester4kicks]

Wow! Thanks for all the advice!

I'm currently in the process of removing the driver's seat. (Had to login to check the process for disconnecting electrical lines.) I'm going to do the deep cleaning tomorrow morning.

Depending on the results, I'll look at picking up one of those ionizers too. You're the third person that has strongly-recommended them for removing odors from vehicles.

Thanks again!

 

[Jester4kicks]

Well, the battle is half over.

I just got done with the cleaning it with the bissel. There was a LOT of beer still in there. I probably went over the same area 4-5 times. On the last pass, I didn't see any dark fluid come out.

Then, I unzipped the seat back and laid the seat on it's back so that I could put the seat back portion flat on the ground. I went over it several times and pulled a LOT of beer out of it as well.

It's hard to tell, but I think I got almost all of it. I think the smell is still deep in there, but it's combined with cleaning solution now, so I can't be sure. I'm going to let it dry, then apply the nature's miracle.

I am cautiously optimistic.

Thanks again for all the advice! I've attached a quick pic of the aftermath in case anyone is interested. (Edit: removed the pic cause it made the page too big. I'll upload to gallery and link.)

 

[earthrealm]

hope it works for u

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Well look at the brightside, at least it wasn't bong water! :sorry: