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Trunk Scent Removal Help

GMan

GMan

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A tarp was placed in my truck for about a week and upon removing it, I noticed it had a smell which transferred to my trunk carpet.

I used Lysol, generously, because I assumed the smell was due to some kind of bacteria, which seemed to help but didn't completely address the issue.

I thought about shampooing, but we need to be careful cleaning the carpet in the Air's trunk as there are a lot of electricals beneath the surface.

What is the recommended approach,
What products do I need to purchase, and
Are there any techniques I should follow?
 
GMan said:
A tarp was placed in my truck for about a week and upon removing it, I noticed it had a smell which transferred to my trunk carpet.

I used Lysol, generously, because I assumed the smell was due to some kind of bacteria, which seemed to help but didn't completely address the issue.

I thought about shampooing, but we need to be careful cleaning the carpet in the Air's trunk as there are a lot of electricals beneath the surface.

What is the recommended approach,
What products do I need to purchase, and
Are there any techniques I should follow?
Click to expand...
Open the trunk in a sunny area and leave it open for 4-5 hours.

As the saying goes, Sunlight is the best disinfectant!
 
TakeDuo said:
Ozone generator. It chemically binds to the stink and makes it go away. Magic.
Click to expand...
I like the idea. But does ozone generators attack the paint (i.e., oxidation)?

Sunlight is, in a way, an ozone generator, that's why paints fade under prolonged exposure to sunlight.
 
Try one of those things you put in the fridge to suck food odor etc. out.

Im sure theres some old school recipe online that involves baking soda & vinegar and some other concoction that will suck it out. 🙂
 
HC_79 said:
Try one of those things you put in the fridge to suck food odor etc. out.

Im sure theres some old school recipe online that involves baking soda & vinegar and some other concoction that will suck it out. 🙂
Click to expand...
Or just upgrade to a Gravity! I heard they have plenty of cars. Perhaps you can get a discount
 
BS8899 said:
I like the idea. But does ozone generators attack the paint (i.e., oxidation)?

Sunlight is, in a way, an ozone generator, that's why paints fade under prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Click to expand...
Nah it will only interact with organic molecules and some polymers. High concentrations might make rubber brittle but that’s prolonged, repeat periods.

An Amazon-bought ozone generator for the specific cubic feet appropriate for the trunk for 30-60 mins would be negligible however.

Paints fade due to UV exposure (energy wave) whereas O3 is just unstable gas.
 
BS8899 said:
Open the trunk in a sunny area and leave it open for 4-5 hours.

As the saying goes, Sunlight is the best disinfectant!
Click to expand...
Left it open for 6+ hours but not in sunlight. That helped get rid of the Lysol scent but the other remained.
 
Nature’s Miracle takes out odors pretty well. It’s what I use at home for carpet.
 
The carpet in the trunk comes out pretty easily. I suggest to pull it out and see what’s underneath it. I’d bet it’s moldy. You can easily clean and dry the carpet back there and reinstall without being a master mechanic.
 
Not mold, it was from a stinky tarp
 
Just to close the loop here, I did buy an Ozone Generator off Amazon and after carefully researching these devices, I was able to deodorize the trunk.

It was definitely a process to ensure doing so safely, but the prices literally took 4 minutes of ozone treatment and the smell is gone.

I would probably recommend people try less intrusive options prior to going down this road, but it's definitely worth considering if those options don't pan out
 
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