Getting that Funky smell out of your carpets

[wakeformer]

So had a great time at Cumberland this weekend but it rained Saturday night and my boat was not covered. All my carpets got wet and now have that no so fresh smell. Wondered what people on here do to get the carpets smelling great again.

I put mine in my washing machine with about 6 cups of tide with fabrease and ran it on the spin cycle twice to dry it then hung it up in my garage under a fan. It worked but wanted to know of any other good ideas

 

[Boat Crazy]

After cleaning (I use awesome cleaner, water and an RV brush)and let dry, spray it with 50 /50 water and vinegar both carpeted and rubber side, let dry and spray with febreeze.

 

[jetboater4life]

I loaded up my hoover carpet cleaner with some carpet shampoo and a dose of fabreze. Then I laid the carpet in my driveway and started scrubbing them really good. I also sprayed some anti mildew stuff on the back sides. After I was done they smelled really good. I dried them out, stuffed them in a box and shipped them to @spatty99 who purchased them from me.

 

[wakeformer]

@jetboater4life what is the anti Mildew stuff you referring to

 

[Andy S]

I put mine on the drive way, spray them with a generous amount of resolve pet stain carpet cleaner (seems to block the odor the best), let sit of a few minutes, then use a pressure washer (mine is electric 1800#) to wash them, and then hang them over the fence to dry in the sun. So far this has worked every time to get rid of the smell bad. So far I have not experienced any mildew on the back side.

 

[jetboater4life]

@jetboater4life what is the anti Mildew stuff you referring to

There wasn't any visible mildew but the backside seemed to have that mildew smell more so than the front, especially around the edges. I used a 3M product http://www.amazon.com/3M-Marine-Mildew-Remover-fl-Ounce/dp/B000RZPNOQ
I was at Menards the other day and they had several different brands on the shelf, some have bleach some don't.

 

[Jeff Stickles]

Hydro Turf is the answer.

 

[jonw9]

Hydro Turf is the answer.

Do you just rub it on the carpet? If you use sticky side down, does it remove more of the mildew smell?

 

[maboat]

Hydro Turf is the answer.

In 8 years I've replaced the Hydro Turf three times and that process is a PITA on the swim deck alone. I can't imagine going through all that for the full cockpit every few years.
This year was the first time in 8 years I replaced the carpet and it was a SNAP (cheaper too).

 

[BigN8]

I gently scrub mine with laundry detergent and power wash then hang on the fence for 3 days, basically mid week until the next weekend. The sun is a natural disinfectant. I only do this about 2-3 times a summer, not every week.

 

[maboat]

I gently scrub mine with laundry detergent and power wash then hang on the fence for 3 days, basically mid week until the next weekend. The sun is a natural disinfectant. I only do this about 2-3 times a summer, not every week.

Same here. But I don't even bother to scrub unless there is a specific stain that needs attention. Just rinse with clean water and hang dry in the sun a couple times a summer.

 

[KXCam22]

I have found that the gel auto-wash soap does a good job, clean and smelling nice. Cam.

 

[txav8r]

I simply hose them off in the driveway to remove any loose dirt or grime. Then I mix some he@ laundry detergent in a 5 gallon bucket in warm water. I work into the carpet with a boat brush. I hose off thoroughly. I use my shop vac to remove as much water as possible. I hang on my purpose designed clothesline to dry, and they dry overnight. It isn't necessary to do more I don't think. You may need to leave in the sun a few days to let them air out and get any of the remaining scent out of them, but once clean, i think they will be good to go. The more they are allowed to mildew, the more they will retain the odor. But heroics won't be necessary to get them clean and fresh again if it only was a short duration. All the other chemicals may be necessary if you routinely let them mildew, as they will need the perfumes to hide the odor. But getting and keeping them clean and dry will do the trick!

 

[Lspeedss]

And keeping them dry when boat is stowed. Pull them up and store in the port closet.

 

[davel501]

I just power wash mine then hang them on the fence at the start of every season. I also pull the front carpet back into the cockpit while covered to keep it dry. No smell so far on my wet slip boat.

 

[Davina Sanchez]

You can try some dish washing detergent with the white vinegar.. This may help you to remove the smell from the carpet and keep the carpet clean.. I tried it for my home Custom Rugs .. It worked for me..