Odour in car seat (maybe TMI)

[human bean]

Last Tues we were helping someone who was really ill with gastro in our car, and they had an accident on one of our car seats. An adult accident #2's, yep not nice AT ALL. So, needless to say once home and having attacked the car with every thing possible, the combination of cleaners and gastro smell was awful

On Thurs I had the interior of the car professionally detailed, including full shampoo and clean of the seats, and they did the icky seat 3 times. There are no marks or stains, but I can still smell the smell of it. It's not like you get in the car and think 'ewwww it smells poopy in here' but there's a distinct smell still there. I put an air freshener in it so now that almost kills me when I get in (it's on the lowest setting) but that whiff of the other smell is still there. Once the air is on/windows down it's fine, but it's that initial opening it up that repulses me and makes me feel so urghhh everytime I go to the car.

Any tips on how to help with the odour? Or will it just fade away eventually (thanking my lucky stars it's not the middle of summer) I was thinking of a seat cover but that doesn't really solve it....arghhh help!

Let's face it, I now have a stinky car and I'm freaking out a little, okay a lot

[AnyDream]

Go to the pet shop and get a bottle of pet odour eliminator for carpets etc- make sure you get one that says the word ENZYMES on it. They will break down the stinky proteins/bacteria into harmless substances.

[Phteven]

I'd sell the car. Long after the smell has gone you will still imagine that you can smell it. Or it might be like cat pee and the smell will come back in humid weather

[lissy]

Glen 20? If I can get napthalene smell out with it, is give it a go on your car seat even if you give it a few sprays over time.

[Blixie]

if all else fails before you sell the car (my nan had to sell her car when i threw up in it as a child) maybe get an auto upholsterer to completely strip the seat and rebuild it?

[human bean]

I'd sell the car. Long after the smell has gone you will still imagine that you can smell it. Or it might be like cat pee and the smell will come back in humid weather

That's what I'm worried about - that I'll smell it even if it's not there

Marydean I have some of the pet stuff here, says it uses bio-enzymatic technology so here's hoping thanks for the tip

Lissy we tried Glen 20 but I can still smell it - although only on that first day. Will keep it in mind cheers

[human bean]

if all else fails before you sell the car (my nan had to sell her car when i threw up in it as a child) maybe get an auto upholsterer to completely strip the seat and rebuild it?

I've actually wondered if I can just buy a whole new seat (passenger) - that's how much it's bugging me.

[Floweryfields]

Reminds me of the Seinfeld BO episode! Hope the other suggestions help your stink!

[Blixie]

depending on your car, seats are usually pretty easy to find

[Astrid]

You could also try a thick layer of bicarb over the area. Had had milk accidents in the car before and bicarb fixed that awful off milk smell.

[AnyDream]

Did it work?

[human bean]

Thanks for asking MD. Yesterday I would have said problem solved, no smell at all after using the enzyme spray Monday night. Just to be sure we gave it a spray again last night, this morning nothing, but it was a beautiful warmer type day today and after sitting in the sun all day at work I could smell it again this evening

I'm loathe to try anything else as the mix of smells is starting to give me a headache

I feel like my options now are to either replace the seat entirely, or sell the car? Or am I giving up too easily?? And how do I sell a car with a dodgy smell? Even if I can mask it to sell it, how could I knowingly sell a car that is going to stink for the next owner? I'm lost as to what to do.

[Blixie]

i'd replace the seat. And if you can't get your hands on one just get an upholsterer to rebuild your current one

[AnyDream]

Might it be worth speaking to your car insurance people about a claim?

[~me~]

Might it be worth speaking to your car insurance people about a claim?

Yep, I was just about to suggest that.

I hope your friend is OK.

[forshelby]

does your insurance cover poosplosions? Heh, sorry. Couldn't resist.

[human bean]

Okay so here's a bit of closure to the great car seat poosplosion of 2011.......

After exploring several different (and rather expensive) options, I ended up finding an exact replacement of the seat at a local wrecker (which is great for resale down the track as our car is only just a year old!) and had it fitted at a local mechanic, all for cheaper than what my excess would have been had I claimed it. And now - THE SMELL IS GONE! Woohoo! I could sit in and smell all day, not a hint

So all sorted and I feel much better now. Thanks for all the hints and tips and advice, and thanks for asking Heather - our friend is okay now but was pretty darn sick at the time. Never seen anything like it, and believe me I never want to again. And next time I think I'll offer to pay for a cab

[~me~]

Yay human bean...great solution!!