Getting smell out of bedroom

[Downanddesperate]

We are in the process of helping a family member sort out their house after their hoarding got out of control.

One of the bedrooms has this awful, sweaty smell that I just can’t get rid of.

I’ve cleaned and disinfected all of the furniture including inside drawers and cupboards. I’ve also disinfected the mattress which now smells fine. I’ve put new coats of paint on the wall. Disinfected curtains and even sprayed the carpet with disinfectant.
the window has been open constantly for 2 weeks
I’m at a complete loss

The carpet has got to go.

I don’t think spraying the carpet with disinfectant will be enough if that’s where the smell is coming from especially if it gone through to underlay or floor boards. You could try getting it professionally cleaned or hire a carpet cleaner. Chances are it’s the carpet.

I would also get rid of the mattress. I would bet it does still smell. Any soft furnishings have to go.

Agree

Electrics can smell horrible if there is something wrong, could it be the wiring of a lamp ? Otherwise maybe the carpet and curtains both need to be washed . Textiles do absorb smells and it can be really hard to get them out without washing. You could also try baking soda sprinkled on the carpet , left for a day then hoovered up.

Ah ok. That’s what I feared, I was hoping not to do that because of the cost but sounds like it’s the only way to go.

I will definitely try the baking soda

Bicarb is great stuff, but it is not going to help that carpet.

You could try hiring a carpet shampooer and seeing if that helps, it might, depending on what state the carpet was in when you cleared the floor. Otherwise probably new carpet and underlay.

If you go down the new carpet route, take it up, including the underlay and get rid of it, clean the floor with a pet product. Leave the windows open. Do not get new carpet until the smell has gone.

Ring around local carpet places & ask what they have in that size. You can usually get a pretty cheap off cut as long as you're flexible about the colour (mist are a neutral of some kind)

Give the curtains s bloody good machine wash. If it ruins them, so be it. You can get decent cheap curtains at Dunelm & charity shops usually have loads, they're often nice, just someone donating after buying for a new colour scheme.

how's the rest of the house going??

It really won't, even a commercial machine will only removed the odour from the carpet if the cleaner has a real understanding of what they're doing & they mostly don't.

it's about balancing the chemicals used, not just throwing cleaner in the tank!

Depending on how you feel about harsh chemicals, Ozium spray has done wonders for stubborn smells for me. I've only used in a car where I've sprayed, left over night with windows closed then thoroughly aired out and it's worked amazingly. I might be tempted to use a mask if using for room, where it's harder to hold you breath, spray then shut the door.

Pull up the carpet, refinish floors underneath.
Throw out all soft furnishings.
Throw out the mattress, and bed frame too if upholstered.
Also all curtains.

What you need is an ozone machine. Gets rid of all smells, kills bacteria etc. Make sure you follow the instructions. They're about £60 so cheaper than replacing everything.
Professional cleaners use them, they can even get the smell of vomit out of car interiors etc.

hi sorry know it's an old thread but wondered if you got to the bottom of it. I've got a similar problem so would be useful to know your outcome. thanks