Diapers Q&A

Remove odor of disposable diapers from car seats.?

I helped a friend of mine buy a used car about a month and a helf ago. She got a really good deal, on a '03 Elantra in great condition. Just a few days ago a faint smell started coming from the back seats. In just three days since we first noticed it, it has become unbearable. It is an unmistakable smell of disposable diapers, as though the previous owner left a stack of wet ones on the seat. The guy who sold it to us had it professionally cleaned, but that obviously didn't do the job... any ideas? First, thank you all for the good answers, all are useful and would be effective. Already know the charcoal trick. Vinegar and water is usually a great solution, as well as baking soda to absorb the odors. (depending on the source, baking soda for bacterial odors, charcoal for chemical ones.) Every odor question always gets a "febreeze" or "lysol" answer, the problem is I don't want a temporary fix, and both of these really only trap and mask the odor for a week tops. All of these solutions work for a short while to mask or trap the odor, but given a little time, will still return. The problem is (and i don't remember the specifics) there are some dry chemicals in disposable diapers for absorbency and odor. This is what gives them their distinctive odor, and it will get out if the diaper is over soaked. I've heard of this before, and of a solution, but I've yet to find it on the internet. The only recourse I have remaining is here, or calling a diaper manufacturer for info.

Public Comments

1. Shitload of Febreeze but don't put heat on it because it will mess up the chemical bond
2. Fabreeze, or Glen20. You can use lots of glen20, it will stink like hell for a few days, but will fade out.
3. tuns of arm and hamer all over and good luck....
4. vinager and water mixture 1/2 and 1/2 and the after it dries use lysol. works like a charm atleast it did for an infected dog wound smell on my car seat that sat in the sun and baked in for 2 days because my husband "forgot" it was there.
5. try baking soda, water and vinegar mixed together and then when that dries spray a lot of that lysol disinfectant and febreeze all over it
6. You're right about those sprays like Fabreeze. Only works for a short time and doesn't work for lots of odors. I've got the best solution for eliminating the odor for good... and safe and totally fragrance free. Go out and get a couple of the FRIDGE-IT activated carbon odor absorbers - little purple cube - not the imitations. costs $2 - $3 dollars each. Totally unscented so it actually eliminates odor rather than covering up with some nasty fragrance and totally safe to use. I've used these for worst smells including spoiled fish in car and for closets, fridge etc. Also have two cats and use these on litter box - they are FANTASTIC> No spills or chemicals to worry about. You can buy these in kitchen gadget stores or just go direct which is what I do - contact them at customerservice@innofresh.com and ask for order form. You get it right away. I also heard they have a product specifically for auto interiors that I'm going to order next time. Definitely the way to go. try it. Good luck
7. You want a HOT HOT HOT steam cleaner to break it up!