How can I get rid of rotten cat food smell in car

[MeMeMeMeOw]

I had a horrible smell in my car last Thursday. I thought it was because I had a bottle of milk in and it had leaked but I couldn't find anything. It got worse as the days went on. I thought there must be a dead rat that had climbed inside. (Obviously not when it was dead, but had done so and died in the car). No rat.

Today almost a week later I found out what it was as it was much worse last night and this morning. Under the back of the driver's seat was a 2-pack of Katkin food that had ballooned up, gone green and to mush and one of the packs had burst and leaked all over the carpet.

I cleaned it up as much as I could in the car park with some wipes while trying not to be sick. Not sure how to get rid of it, other than valeting. Some days my car has shown 30+ degrees.

I think I'd have preferred the dead rat option.

I don't think you will really get rid of that without valeting because it will have soaked into the foam under the carpet. Sorry, it sounds beyond horrendous.

Sprinkle a load of bicarb leave for a while the vacuum, do this a few times

The book in for a valet

Can you replace the carpet or does that mean taking the seat out?

Clean with a carpet cleaner or spot cleaner. If smell still lingers consider an Ozone Generator.

Leave all the windows open as much as possible, that will at least help a bit. Then once the pong has died down a bit, give it a good clean. If that doesn't work, sell the car.

We once had a similar issue. DH went shopping, bought some milk that leaked in the car on the way back but he didn't clean it up properly. Then we went on holiday the next day, and left the car in Gatwick car park for a fortnight. 🤑

Not remotely helpful I know but super intrigued to know how Kat kin got under your car seat OP? Ours arrives at home frozen and I didn’t think you could buy it in the shops (to fall out of a shopping bag).

My nosing aside, valet is definitely the best option but bicarb first maybe?

I was going to feed a friend's cat who was being fussy and I put some packs in a bag. This one must have fallen out. I have it delivered for my cats.

Oh I see! Gosh poor you. I find just the smell of empty packets in the kitchen bin on a warm day enough. Hope you can get it sorted.

Try spraying the entire affected area with Simple Solution Cat Stain and Odour Remover - it's £8 for a standard-sized spray bottle but that stuff works wonders. We've just successfully used it to clear the smell of a very dead hedgehog out of our garden shed.

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/simple-solution-cat-stain-odour-remover-750ml

(Also stocked at Pets At Home and similar places.)

This has helped, thankyou, along with the PP who recommended bicarb.