Don't cry over spilled milk...

[Concrete King]

...they say.

Several days ago I went to Walmart for groceries. The list included milk. Well, it turns out the cap was not properly fastened (though the tamper ring was intact). I know this because on the half mile drive home the jug fell over - it was sitting on the rear, passenger seat. No big deal, don't cry over spilled milk. Right. If it were some dribbles. Not the case here. A half gallon escaped. I immediately wet vac'd what I could. Though I knew deep down this was going to turn into an issue. And it has.

The following day I left town on business and came home the day after. So the problem had about 48 hours to develop. The situation was getting worse, and the detailer was unavailable until the next day. When I got it back it looked and smelled great. But I was leary that the smell was merely being masked by the cleaning products. Turns out I was right. Back I go. Another fail. That gets me up to yesterday.

I pulled the carpet and found a major maggot infestation. I about hurled, but did some cleaning and now I'm to the point where I want to dump boiling water in the floorpan. I didn't want to do it in the garage and go the move the Jeep to the driveway. It won't start. facepalm.jpg. All seems well - meaning dash, infotainment, interior and exterior lights come on. Then I notice 1) when trying to start the dash is telling me to push the clutch in while pushing start button (I have an auto and know it normally says brake, not clutch) and 2) the temp on the dash was 800C. Yes, 800, C. Mine is set to F (which would be 1472). Wow, it's hot!

I grab my voltmeter. Of course its battery is dead. Go to get a 9-volt battery and I'm out. I grabbed my battery charger. It displays 9.6v. Strange.

Now it's Sunday (today). Jeep starts, out in the driveway it goes. I feel all that is cleaned up now. However, the carpet still smells after cleaning though the water comes out clear at this point.

At this point I'm going to buy new carpet. Rockauto has a full set for $260. Then I noticed the product description mentioned it may not be as thick as OEM. While I don't really care since it's mostly covered by the factory rubber flooring I got to thinking. What other flooring options are there. In particular something other than carpet? It's a 2020 JLUR with black carpet.

Let's see your ideas and thanks for reading.

PS <redacted> you Walmart!

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[rickinAZ]

Can't help with your predicament, but spilling is a concern I have as well. My rear cargo liner (Quadratech) has tall sides that I hope will capture any mishaps, so I always put spillable stuff there.

New carpet should fix you up. Good luck.

p.s. Have you tried power washing the carpet on your driveway surface?

 

[DaltonGang]

Here is an option, a definite step up, but more money.

Just a video showing a possible temp with bare flooring vs a floor covering. I pulled my carpet in my JK and noticed a significant temp increase and noise as well.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Armorlite is a far better option than carpet, although more expensive. You may not realize it (I didn’t), but the carpet is very easy to remove and replace. Pull it all out, hit it with the pressure washer and cleaning product of your choice, let it air dry thoroughly for a couple of days. Good as new. This also gives you the opportunity to completely wash out the floor pan and rinse it with the drain plugs open. Let it air dry as well, or hasten the process with a leaf blower or air compressor.

But when I made a wet carpet mess (thankfully only ice melt from a cooler drain plug left open) I opted to spend for the Armorlite.

 

[Zero_Accel]

I second the recommendation for Armorlite! Nice upgrade and you won't EVER have to worry about any sort of spills, trail, family, or mall related!

 

[RAO]

Had a similar situation happen to me. was able to get rid of smell without masking it. First thing I did was to wet the area down - very wet. Used a rug shampoo machine to suck up the water. Went over it thoroughly to get as much water out as I could. Left doors and tailgate open overnight with a fan blowing into the Jeep to dry it out. Next day used the rug shampoo machine to clean the rug again, going over the worst areas a few times. I used the pet solution with the machine as I thought it was a bit stronger than the regular stuff. Repeated the fan with open doors and tailgate overnight. Kept the fan going the next day until the carpet was fully dry. Smell was gone.

Takes a bit of work, so up to you if you want to try but it worked for me.

 

[Rubi SoHo]

Enzymatic cleaner, available at most pet stores, usually works for the smells related to organic materials (milk included). I’ve had great results with that.

 

[40Caliber]

give up drinking Milk. Stick with Bourbon

 

[Heimkehr]

Several days ago I went to Walmart for groceries. The list included milk. Well, it turns out the cap was not properly fastened (though the tamper ring was intact). I know this because on the half mile drive home the jug fell over - it was sitting on the rear, passenger seat.

No big deal, don't cry over spilled milk. Right.

Your post reminded me of my recent discovery of a cracked fill cap on one of the hydro drive oil reservoirs in my zero-turn riding mower. The extent of the crack was such that the cap was barely sitting on the threads.

Loss of that critical lubricant while mowing the lawn would have likely caused interesting and expensive noises...from the mower and me.

Best of luck as you de-stinkify your Wrangler.

 

[Left Field]

We recently had a particularly nasty spill (fish sauce, full bottle). It was in a box on the seat so it ran through, missed the floor liner and went straight into & under the carpet. I truly thought I was going to have to scrap the car.

I did a triple hot soapy wash and triple rinse, with shop vac extraction after each wash and each rinse. Then dried for a couple days with a fan and heater (too much humidity where I live). Might have been over-kill, but zero residual smell / complete success.
The pressure washer method would likely give the same results with a lot less work, I just don't happen to have one.

Good luck!
LF

 

[The Last Cowboy]

This stuff looks like a good option too

https://bedrug.com/jeep-liners-and-kits

 

[Concrete King]

I may try power washing (@rickinAZ), I may try enzymatic cleaner (@Rubi SoHo)... I may get Armorlite. I've think I've concretely decided, though, if spending money it's not going to be on carpet.

Now researching Armorlite vs Bedrug vs Bedtread. Armorlite for the win so far.

Thanks.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Pretty tough stuff. Soft like carpet, wears like a rubber mat.

 

[Whaler27]

This stuff looks like a good option too

https://bedrug.com/jeep-liners-and-kits

I finally replaced the OEM carpet in my TJ after ten years of abuse. The BedRug kit was awesome. Much thicker and very durable. I highly recommend it.

 

[Quinn99]

I would absolutely cry over over spilled milk. You can be a man and still feel feelings. A maggot in your jeep is surely worth a tear or two

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