New car started to get sick smell on carpets

Geoff1963

Try laying down some cat litter, and brushing it into the carpet, then vacuum it up later.

It does sound like something smelly has dried out, so you need something to soak it up when it's wet.

Richard53

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

I have a general rule that if anyone ever throws up in my car, or spills milk, it gets sold immediately.

We were using our caravan as overspill accommodation one weekend, and one of the younger members threw up in it. It took three full cleans to take the edge off the stink, and a full year until the smell was not noticeable. We couldn't use it for the whole of that time. Never again.

ktcoil

We have a valiter that comes to our work so would do that, was thinking of cleaning with carpet shampoo, and we also have a carpet shampooer but scared with wetting my capets that might make the whole car smell if doesn't dry.

Richard53

ktcoil wrote: »

We have a valiter that comes to our work so would do that, was thinking of cleaning with carpet shampoo, and we also have a carpet shampooer but scared with wetting my capets that might make the whole car smell if doesn't dry.

It's only a smell at the end of the day. Whatever you would do to a room carpet in your house would work the same in the car. The key thing is that car carpets are hard to dry, as you know. If they stay damp, mould sets in and can be a nightmare to get rid of. If you can find a way to get them bone dry afterwards, then it's just a cleaning issue. Many people take the seats out to get access to all the nooks and crannies (not too hard to do on most cars). Taking the carpets out, even better. Air dry if possible, then fan heater with a window open a crack overnight or, even better, leave a mains dehumidifier in there. A weekend should see it done.

ktcoil

Well I cleaned the car and doesn't seem to smell but I have noticed it when I put the fan on in the car, could it be a vent change needed?

Ebe_Scrooge

ktcoil wrote: »

Well I cleaned the car and doesn't seem to smell but I have noticed it when I put the fan on in the car, could it be a vent change needed?

Might be worth changing the cabin filter / pollen filter, if your car has one. You're supposed to change them every so often anyway ( it should say in the user manual or service record book ).

AdrianC

ktcoil wrote: »

Well I cleaned the car and doesn't seem to smell but I have noticed it when I put the fan on in the car, could it be a vent change needed?

Aha!

Change the pollen filter, if there is one, then use an aircon antibacterial.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/B010UYB676
or similar.

Richard53

AdrianC wrote: »

Aha!

x2


Pollen filters are rarely part of the maintenance schedule, but once they get wet and dirty they smell like an old dog. Usually quite easy to DIY change. Cured my Mondeo of a stale smell and misty windows. The old filter was wet and disgusting

ktcoil

thanks I will pop to Halfords for this, I think it is a bit more wet dog smell than sick smell, its not always there, I just thought when I bought the car it was raining crazy, so thought I got the carpets wet and hadn't had car matts.

Ebe_Scrooge

ktcoil wrote: »

thanks I will pop to Halfords for this

Have a quick look on CarParts4Less.co.uk - you'll probably find their prices cheaper than Halfords. And for something like this when it's not urgent, waiting a few days for delivery is not a problem.


I know a lot of people have a negative opinion of Halfords - must admit I'm not a massive fan myself, but their opening hours, especially at weekends, can be convenient when you need something at short notice.


But for most things, I always use that CarParts website, highly recommended.