Does anyone know how to get the stench of rotten whalemeat out of a Gladiator?

[wchevron]

I'd wipe down seats, dash, door panels, interior roof with a degreaser/cleaner. Maybe simple green. I think that would be safe on the leather/plastic. If the smell is still there, I'd then shampoo the carpet. Also, it's cheap enough so replace the cabin filter.
If smell still persists, then I'd go with an ionization machine. Mostly anything you buy online is going to produce ozone, which isn't good for your lungs. You may need to leave it in there for a good day or two. Then open the windows for a couple of minutes until you can't smell the ozone. (kind of has a metallic smell, the ozone will dissapate quiclky) If it's still smelling, you'll have to put the ionizer back in.
Just did the same thing with an ionizer and my cycling shoes. Took 2 full days but it killed the smell that 3 washes in the washing maching couldn't get rid of.

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[Blade1668]

Try hydrogen peroxide on for non-porous surfaces and O2 generator or spray close up for few hours. After cleaning for seats and carpet you could try "Dawn" dish soap with drain plugs removed the rinse out.
Don't forget to replace cabin air filter... that will hold the stink.

 

[Nebulocity]

 

[Lunentucker]

There are some professional car wash centers that offer an Ionization service that is guaranteed.

 

[aceisback]

Shout it out!?? That is one whale of a problem.

Word!
Or if that don’t work maybe:

 

[Wil_M]

Pick up a hitchhiking skunk whom is smoking a huge joint while eating beans and salsa. Fight back!

 

[jonsheritahe04]

Last Jeep I'll ever buy!

I’m thinking there are no vehicles that are impervious to big old stinky dead whale stench.

 

[BajaTym]

Wow, great pictures!! But damn, bro, you've got a mess on your hands. Personally, I'd start over, sell the truck, and consider this a lesson learned. Smells are not easy to "eliminate" and honestly you'll be lucky if you can even "cover" it.

While I've never had to deal with rotten whale meat, I have had to manage a "heavy ASS" smell that permeated a vehicle. Long story, short: I have an in-law that never bathes, the dude smells like straight ASS/poop. He came to visit once, only once, and we all ended up staying outside on the deck. After an hour or so I told him to shower or leave (it was making everyone sick). Shorty after my ultimatum, my wife gave him a ride back to his hotel (in her, at the time, new Honda Pilot). It was a 10 min drive, but that's all it took. The damage was done, our new Pilot smelled like poop, adult MAN POOP.

My wife had the same attitude, she loves that car. In the end, we should've just sold it, I spent countless hours working on this issue. In the end, I found a method that worked well, but no matter what a lingering stink remained (mostly on those 100 deg+ days).

Now to the "meat", if you're dedicated, you can get to something you might be happy with. Like others have said, you'll need to wipe/wash down everything. This will not be a quick one time process and may take many repeated applications.

This is what I'd recommend:

1. Wash the exterior several times.
   • Don't forget the chassis
2. Wash the glass, inside and out; please note that glass absorbs odors.
   • using soap and water first, then degreaser, followed by a multi-purpose cleaner, finishing with a professional grade glass cleaner (repeat 2-3 times).
3. Wash interior
   • using a bucket of warm water, mixed with a small/diluted amount of soap (I used Meguiars' auto wash and Dawn dish soap, swapping between washes) and a soaked/wronged-out rag, wash down EVERY interior surface. Move from front to back. EVERY SURFACE -- belts, seats, under seats, plastics, leather, and the like.
   • using fresh water/soap, repeat several times.
4. After washing the interior several times, steam clean the carpet (or better, replace it).
5. After everything has dried, take unscented baking soda (or charcoal) and dust every surface, it'll get messy, but it will absorb a lot of the odor.
6. Vacuum the baking soda (or charcoal), repeat step 2-5 until you're happy with the smell.
7. Find a citrus air freshener you like, place it under the seats, glovebox, and under the steering wheel.

Sorry for the long post, I just feel your pain. Best of luck, I hope you find a happy place!

Cheers ? -- James

(Edited for clarity)

 

[yoda13]

This counts as the title of a thread I never thought I’d read…wow. I used to have an air ionizer that plugged into a 12v source and it was reigned to get rid of smells inside the vehicle. It would be on anytime I would drive it. Eventually the inside of the jeep smelled like nothing. It took a few months though. I’m not sure you’ve got that long…

 

[chaosjake]

If that salt spray with little pieces of meat and oil got into the carpet and seats I don't think anything you can buy will get rid of it completely. I'd check with some local professional detailers and see if they can help.

There were no actual chunks, just the salty spray that makes your windows look like frosted glass after going to the beach.

 

[Florida Mojave]

Although this does not specify "dead whale stench" I have used these before. It may take several applications for your issue...good thing is they go through the whole air system as the vehicle stays running with the ac on. Good luck!!

 

[BajaTym]

Sorry, I should mention that my recommended approach focuses on removing as much of the odor-causing particulates as possible before masking the remnants.
--James

 

[fun2drum]

Wow. Of all the problems I've ever read on a vehicle forum, I think this one tops them all. I would agree with the ozone idea and getting a very reputable detailer on it sooner rather than later. Plan B would be to take advantage of the trade in value and start over. Yuck. Maybe even try my plan B first.

 

[FLGladiator]

Full detail with seat removal, maybe even carpet removal steam cleaner rental with a massive cleaning and air drying.

 

[area5179]

My father and several close friends were police officers and had several instances of finding people, shall we say, well past their "expiration date". Not only was the smell horrid, but like your dead whale there was a lot of fluids and such that if any of it found its way onto your boots, uniform and such you just threw them out. Period. There was no way to really completely clean/deodorize them and it was better to just get new ones. Now a Gladiator is not as simple a swap as a pair of boots but you might have to go the same route. Once that stench gets in you may NEVER get it out.

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