Removing Spilt Milk from Your Carpets

If you have carpet, spills are going to happen. Tea, wine, cordial, juice: whatever it is, it’s never welcome. Spilt milk on carpet is one to take seriously, because it soaks in fast and can leave a sour smell and a faint outline behind.

That’s why it pays to know what to do before it happens. Here’s how to get milk out of carpet step by step, what to do if a smell lingers, and when to call in the professionals.

Why Spilt Milk Smells

Milk is one of those spills that causes trouble if it’s left to soak into your carpet. It contains proteins and fats that break down in the fibres, and if any milk is left behind, or soaks through to the underlay, bacteria feed on it. If it isn’t cleaned out properly, a bad smell can develop in just days, along with discolouration.

Before You Start: Test First

This method should be fine on most carpets, but test it on a small, out-of-the-way patch first. We can’t take responsibility for any damage caused by a reaction in the carpet fibres.

How to Get Milk Out of Carpet

The key to avoiding odours and discolouration is to act quickly. As soon as the milk is spilt, it’s time to clean it up.

1. Blot up as much as you can. Press a towel or microfibre cloth firmly onto the spill to soak up the milk. Keep moving to a dry part of the cloth until no more comes up.

2. Dab on a mild detergent mix. Mix lukewarm water with a tiny bit of dishwashing liquid. Dampen a clean tea towel with the mix and dab it onto the carpet.

Dab gently and don’t rub. Rubbing spreads the milk and pushes it deeper into the fibres.

3. Rinse with a vinegar mix. Mix water with a small splash of white vinegar and dab it on in the same way. This helps rinse out the detergent along with any milk left behind.

4. Blot it dry. Use a fresh microfibre cloth to soak up any wet patches. Use as little liquid as you can throughout: the less moisture that reaches the underlay, the less chance of a smell.

5. Let it dry fully. Open a window or run a fan so the area dries as quickly as possible.

If the Smell Lingers

Once the carpet is completely dry, sprinkle bicarb soda over the area, leave it for a few hours, then vacuum it up. If the smell keeps coming back, milk has most likely reached the underlay, where surface cleaning can’t reach. For more on treating marks at home, see our guide on how to pre-treat carpet stains.

When to Call a Professional

We generally recommend waiting a day or two to see if the stain has come out. If you can still see an outline of the milk, your carpet doesn’t look right, or a sour smell keeps coming back, it might be time to call in the professionals.

At Wizard Cleaning®, our team of professional carpet cleaners are well trained in removing troublesome stains. Our hot water extraction helps flush milk residue out of the pile, instead of leaving it to sour.

Need a hand with a stubborn spill? Call us today on 0400 634 609 or send us an enquiry for a free, no-obligation quote.