Carpet odor removal help

[dlighttx]

Hi All, hope someone can help. I have a "new to me" 1993 Cobalt 206. Its in immaculate condition, runs great, looks great. Very happy with my purchase except for every time we've been out in it, when the carpet gets damp from swimmers returning to the boat, or even getting a little rain in it the other day...there's a nasty musty odor from the carpet. I read several posts concerning soap/detergent residue being left in carpet & to only use hot water. Then vac out with a wet vac. What is safe to clean this carpet with that might help with whatever's causing this odor and what process? High pressure wash, no pressure / scrub brush... I'm just not sure how to proceed, but really need to tackle this. Thanks in advance for your suggestions / advice. dlighttx

 

[colbyt]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

This product has helped me with some stinky situations in rental property. OdoBan? - Odor Eliminator - Home

 

[Dave Brick]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

I'm a boater and own a carpet store. A nasty musty smell points to mold. Best to replace the carpet, but if you want to try something cheaper and less drastic, try cleaning with a 100:1 bleach solution. DO NOT mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaning solutions, the results can be fatal!!!!!! Most outdoor carpets should not bleach out, but to be safe, test it in an inobvious place before you commit to the whole carpet. Let the bleach sit a while, and hour or so, mold can be tough to kill.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

I use a product called purple power from advance to clean mine, I mix it in a garden sprayer at 3 oz to a gallon and spray the carpet down and let it set about 10 minutes then pressure wash at a car wash till it stops making suds. It takes awhile to get the soap out but the carpet looks new and smells fine.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Carpet odor removal help

remove the carpet and replace with vinyl. Carpet is not compatible with outdoor equipment and water activities.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

remove the carpet and replace with vinyl. Carpet is not compatible with outdoor equipment and water activities.

Yup, this. Might sound a little extreme, but there are several better alternatives to carpet in a boat (in my opinion). Marideck, seadek, straight old textured fiberglass...

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

Pull up the carpet and there is probably nice fiberglass under it. Throw the carpet away and do not replace it. Much easier to keep fiberglass clean and odor free.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

Is your carpet snap in?

If so, pull it and clean in the drive way, or you have to clean while in the boat (bow up, plug pulled)

Use straight vinegar to kill the mold. let sit in the sun to dry. Bleach doesnt really work to kill mold and it wrecks the carpet

The next day, use laundry detergent and hod water. I pour about 2 5 gallon buckets of laundry detergent/hot water onto my carpet once ever few months. I move it around with a stiff brush, I then rinse with the garden hose or pressure washer (mood dependent) and let dry.

Not only is the carpet clean, no mold, no dirt, and I have a fresh scented boat with a freshly rinsed bilge to boot.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

remove the carpet and replace with vinyl. Carpet is not compatible with outdoor equipment and water activities.

Darn! Someone should have told me that earlier, I had a Pontoon boat with carpet that was 13 years old and never had a problem with carpet. There are thousands of boats out there with carpet in them that have no problem with it, whatsoever.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

You anti carpet folks must be fishermen.

 

[colbyt]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

You anti carpet folks must be fishermen.

Ground in worm juice does have a distinctive odor.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

You anti carpet folks must be fishermen.

Hey now! I'm a fishing person and have a fishing boat. The Alumacraft had carpet new and will have it again after I finish a remodel on the interior. Never had a problem with smells coming from the carpet. I also find it much easier on barefeet than bare glass or hot vinyl.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

Hey now! I'm a fishing person and have a fishing boat. The Alumacraft had carpet new and will have it again after I finish a remodel on the interior. Never had a problem with smells coming from the carpet. I also find it much easier on barefeet than bare glass or hot vinyl.

OK - I guess I was thinking of the folks I see out there in long sleeve shirts, long pants, boots and offshore life jackets when it is 90 out But you got the point, walking on uncarpeted surfaces barefoot really sucks.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

OK - I guess I was thinking of the folks I see out there in long sleeve shirts, long pants, boots and offshore life jackets when it is 90 out .

Quite a picture! I find it funny because my little brother insists on fishing with his steeltoed boots on! I guess at least he's not wearing them while in shorts.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Carpet odor removal help

OK - I guess I was thinking of the folks I see out there in long sleeve shirts, long pants, boots and offshore life jackets when it is 90 out But you got the point, walking on uncarpeted surfaces barefoot really sucks.

I have often gone barefoot in fiberglass and vinyl floored boats, even on weathered plywood, adn always as a teenager. No problem. I guess our Southern feet are tougher. As an old guy I prefer boat shoes or croc's to keep from stubbing my toes.

I have often heard of people removing carpet from boats and not replacing it; seldom hear of people adding it back except (a) fishermen who want to quiet down a tin boat and (b) those who have always had carpet and not tried boating without. Lots of people are amazed at how removing carpet improves the boating experience.

It's not just about fishing. A bare floor requires no care or cover, or periodic replacement, and on the rare occasions it needs cleaning, it takes virtually no time away from boating. Guest are welcome to do or eat or spill whatever they want (except no street shoes). The rain cleans it. Makes for a much more relaxing trip for everyone.

And wearing steel-toed boots on a small boat is seriously competing for a Darwin award. If I had someone come aboard like that I'd tie a crab pot float to each foot as a countering safety device.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

You anti carpet folks must be fishermen.

Much easier to clean spills and anything people bring on board. Run the raw water washdown and it is clean-- even fish blood gone. If it is a bit warm for your twinkle toes, just toss a bucket of ocean water on it...

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

Much easier to clean spills and anything people bring on board. Run the raw water washdown and it is clean-- even fish blood gone. If it is a bit warm for your twinkle toes, just toss a bucket of ocean water on it...

No ocean here and no fishing allowed on the boat

 

[calvinator]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

Clean with a liquid-paste mix of dish soap, baking soda, and water.

Rinse w/ water.

soak carpet with white vinegar. Let it sit to almost dry.

Rinse w/ water.

See where that gets you. Dish soap is the dirt/grease lifter. Soda and vinegar are the odor neutralizers.

That same mix will take skunk smell out of your dog if he gets sprayed. Also is the only solution if your babies/little kids puke milk in your car seats/floors, etc.


Give it a shot, otherwise, I think the carpet has deteriorated and it is time for replacement.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

No ocean, no fishing??? Why have a boat? OOHHhh,, from MN where there is only 19 days of summer,, :laugh:

No ocean here and no fishing allowed on the boat

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Carpet odor removal help

No ocean, no fishing??? Why have a boat? OOHHhh,, from MN where there is only 19 days of summer,, :laugh:

Fishing is for guys who can't ski You might be right about the 19 days of summer this year though.