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How To Remove Skunk And Vomit Odors From Your Taxi

If you own a taxi or if work for a cab service, then you probably utilize a variety or tricks and tactics to pick up as many fares as possible during the day. Good service, fast transportation, and a positive attitude can help to bring you tips and even recurring business. If your cab releases a foul odor though, then you may drive away customers who are looking for a pleasant ride through the city. Incidents with your cab as well as customer difficulties can cause these smells, so read the tips below to neutralize two of the most common foul odors.

Skunk Smells

Skunks are small nocturnal creatures that have extremely poor eyesight, and these animals typically wander onto roads. Skunks then get hit by cars.  When this happens, the small glands that sit near the tail of the skunk are ruptured and a foul odor is released. This odor comes from the organic sulfur compounds that are produced by the skunk to help with protection. If your taxi drives over a dead skunk or if you hit a skunk yourself, then the fluids transfer to your tires or the undercarriage of your cab.

Break Down the Odor

Skunk odors are notoriously difficult to get rid of, and a single whiff can drive customers away. If you need to get rid of a skunk smell, then you will need to break down the sulphur. Do not use tomato juice to clean your cab, because this will only mask the odor temporarily. Instead, use a solution of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, water, and dish soap. The dish soap will help to loosen the oily material so the peroxide and baking soda can break down the sulphur through oxidation.

Fill a bucket full of water and add two tablespoons of dish soap to the water. Add one cup of hydrogen peroxide and one-half cup of baking soda. Mix the solution and use a sponge to add it to the tires and undercarriage of your taxi. Let the fluid sit for about 15 minutes and then rinse it away.

Vomit Odors

If you transport individuals who get car sick or if customers are ill, then they may vomit in your taxi. Vomiting is a normal response that allows the body to get rid of harmful bacteria or viruses in a quick manner. People also vomit when the equilibrium is disturbed due to the movement of your cab. Vomit is made up of saliva, partially digested food, stomach acids, and bile. The combination of the stomach acid and bile are the cause of the foul odor.

Neutralize the Smell

One of the best ways to reduce the vomit odor in your cab is to clean up the vomit as quickly as possible. Use paper towels to clear away the food bits and then use soap and water to break up the saliva and mucus. Once the initial clean up is completed, you will need a basic material to neutralize the bile and stomach acids. Hydrochloric acid is the compound that makes up stomach acid, and the fluid is extremely acidic with a pH value of 0. This means you need a strong base to neutralize the vomit, and ammonia is a good choice.

Mix about one cup of ammonia with one gallon of water and use a sponge or cloth to scrub at the vomit stain. Allow the ammonia to soak into the stain for 30 minutes of more. Just make sure to open the doors of your cab, because the ammonia will release a smell. Use soap and water after the ammonia sits to remove the ammonia and vomit from your taxi. If the ammonia smell is too strong, then pour a small amount of vinegar on the area. The vinegar will neutralize the ammonia smell and the scent will dissipate more quickly than the odor released by the ammonia cleaner.

If you have a cab, then you provide a valuable transportation service. If your cab smells foul though, then customers will not want to use your services. Skunk and vomit odors are two common smells that can offend passengers, so follow the tips above to remove the odors before you pick up fares.