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How do I remove a fish smell from my car's carpet?

How can I get rid of a fishy smell in my car? I spilled the cooler that stored the fish I caight from my fishing trip. Now my car smells terrible. How can I remove the fish smell from my car's interior carpet and upholstery?

avatar
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“While you may be tempted to
buy a different vehicle
altogether, you can get the fish smell out of your car’s carpet rather easily.
Here’s how:
  • Wash the affected area using an equal mix of water and vinegar.
  • Follow that with soapy water.
  • Then, rinse thoroughly and let it dry.
  • Last, air out your car.
These steps should get rid of the fish smell. If all else fails, you might want to get your vehicle professionally detailed or have the carpet shampooed.
Unfortunately, even if you have
comprehensive coverage
, it won’t cover this type of incident. So if you see lots of fishing adventures in your future, it seems like the perfect excuse to buy a cheap pickup truck! That way, you can throw all your gear—and all the fish you catch—in your truck bed.
While getting rid of that fishy car smell might sound a little labor intensive, saving money on car insurance doesn’t have to be. The
Jerry
app will gather the cheapest quotes from the top 50 insurance companies for you in seconds. And the best part–it’s free to use.”
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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