I hear you on the towels—once that sewer funk gets into fabric, it’s like it’s moved in and started redecorating. I’ve tried every trick in the book, from enzyme sprays to those “miracle” odor removers. Sometimes I think the only thing that really works is a good bonfire (kidding… mostly).
Baking soda and vinegar are solid for hard surfaces, but for anything absorbent? I’ve had mixed results. If it’s just a light splash, sometimes a hot wash with a cup of vinegar will do the trick, but if it’s soaked through… yeah, it’s probably time to say goodbye. I’ve had to toss a few bath mats after a particularly nasty backup last year. The smell just wouldn’t quit.
One thing I keep around is a big tub of cat litter—the unscented kind. Sounds weird, but if you have standing water or sludge, dumping some on top can help soak it up and make cleanup less disgusting. Plus, it cuts down on the immediate stench while you’re dealing with the mess. Not a cure-all, but it’s saved my nose more than once.
Honestly, anyone who says they’ve got a foolproof way to get rid of that smell is either lying or has never dealt with the real deal. Sometimes you just have to admit defeat and replace what you can. At least you’re not alone in the battle—sewer backups are the great equalizer.
Cat litter’s a solid move for the gross stuff, I’ll give you that. I keep a stash of heavy-duty contractor bags and a cheap mop I don’t mind tossing afterwards. For the stink, I’ve had the best luck with a strong bleach solution—yeah, it’s harsh, but it’s the only thing that seems to nuke the smell from hard floors. For fabrics? If it’s really bad, I just cut my losses. Haven’t found anything that truly saves them once that sewer funk sets in.
- Heavy-duty contractor bags are a must, totally agree there.
- I keep a box of nitrile gloves handy—learned the hard way that regular kitchen gloves just don’t cut it.
- For the smell, I’ve had mixed results with bleach. Sometimes it just mixes with the funk and makes it worse for a bit.
- On fabrics:
Same here. Once that smell sets in, it’s game over.“If it’s really bad, I just cut my losses.”
Curious—has anyone tried those enzyme cleaners? I’ve heard they’re supposed to break down organic stuff, but I’m skeptical if they actually work on sewer backups.
Enzyme cleaners are kind of hit or miss for me. I tried one after a minor backup last year, hoping it’d save a rug, but honestly, it didn’t do much. Maybe it works better if you get to it right away, but once that sewer smell sets in, I feel like nothing short of tossing the fabric really works. Bleach just makes everything smell like a hospital mixed with... well, you know. I’ve had better luck with baking soda and vinegar for lingering odors, but it’s not a miracle fix either.
Bleach just makes everything smell like a hospital mixed with...
I get where you’re coming from with enzyme cleaners, but I’ve actually had decent results—timing really is everything though. Once that sewer smell’s baked in, you’re fighting an uphill battle. I’ve had to toss a few rugs myself. Honestly, the only thing that’s worked for me in those “too late” situations is a wet vac with a strong extraction cleaner, then airing things out for days. Baking soda and vinegar are good for surface odors, but deep stuff? Not so much. Sometimes you just gotta cut your losses.
