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KackyK
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| Posted: April 12 2008 at 7:34am | IP Logged
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I know this forum included cleaning...I hope cleaning a van counts too!!!
My lovely wonderful children  had friends over last night. These are my older dc...we are talking 11-13 year olds. We arrived home, I had to start dinner so I went inside and they had to unload their bags, pillows, sleeping bags etc.
Last night...we had a whopper of a thunderstorm!
This morning...dh went out to do some yard work and discovered the van door had been left open all night!!!! 
So needless to say...it is wet on the inside!!! I'm washing and drying the carseat covers, and I'll be outside in minutes drying off the vinyl stuffs...but what about the carpet? Do you wet/dry vac it or what?
I'm also hoping we aren't the only people who have done this!! My pregnant hormonal self is ready to cry (which is pathetic, because there are way worse things in life!) However, I'm worried about mold.
Anyway...a deep breath later...any help or encouragement would be most welcome! 
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KackyK
Mom to 8 - 3 dd, 5ds & 4 babes in heaven
Beginning With the Assumption
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Maryan
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| Posted: April 12 2008 at 7:42am | IP Logged
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just my two cents --
a car gets SO hot... that I think it will steam away all the moisture if you crack the windows on a hot dry day. But I can't remember our forecast.
If it's not going to be sunny I would wet/mop (if you have one or just do rag towels) and then let kids lay down newspapers to soak up any remaining moisture.
Sorry!
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Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
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JennGM
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| Posted: April 12 2008 at 7:48am | IP Logged
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Soak up as much water as you can, until it's just damp to the touch. Try to use pressure to soak up the excess (we stomp on the towel, but it's harder in the car).
And then let it air dry as much as possible. I'd throw open the doors and windows. Today we have a mixed forecast -- hot, but chance of showers.
I would be crying, too, pregnant or not. Wet carpets can start to smell mildewy and I just *hate* that smell! I cry over spilt milk, too, because I know how THAT smells later, too.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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RamFam
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| Posted: April 12 2008 at 7:48am | IP Logged
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Well, for us about a week ago, it was a half gallon of milk. We have been dealing with the smell. If you end up with an odor, I would recommend baking soda and Fabreze.
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Leah
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KC in TX
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| Posted: April 12 2008 at 7:53am | IP Logged
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Make sure there's a way for the moisture to escape as the carpet dries. Otherwise you'll get mold. Crack open windows, etc while it's dry outside. Sorry that happened!
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KC,
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JennGM
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| Posted: April 12 2008 at 7:56am | IP Logged
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Oh, do you have a wet shop vac? This is a new addition in our house, but I would try that route if you have one.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: April 12 2008 at 8:29am | IP Logged
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Oh, Kacky!
No extra tips but I'd be crying too. 
Prayers for you during the clean-up.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
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Matilda
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| Posted: April 12 2008 at 8:40am | IP Logged
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Crying for you Kacky!
One extra tip... air circulation is key! (Think of bees drying their honey!) Throw open the doors and get a monster of a fan going to move the air through the van! Prayers for no mold!
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: April 12 2008 at 9:00am | IP Logged
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I would take it in to a good car detailer and let them have at it! I can't stand the smell of wet car carpet!
Bonus: the "responsible parties" can work off the cost of it through some extra chores! 
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Theresa
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: April 12 2008 at 9:02am | IP Logged
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Oh, and I think we had the same storm last night. It really was a whopper, wasn't it?
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Theresa
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mcchatty
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| Posted: April 12 2008 at 11:08am | IP Logged
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shop vac all the way- It will let you get into the crevices and edges. Remove all possible water. If there is a chance of rain- put your van in the garage, open the windows and put a fan in the garage if you have one. It's good that it's "just" water, but the last thing you want is a mildewed carpet. bleech.
Best of luck, mcchatty
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KackyK
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| Posted: April 12 2008 at 7:03pm | IP Logged
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Thanks ladies!
I did stuff that big pocket behind the passenger seat with newspaper...thanks for that tip...totally forgot about newspaper!
And by mid-day here is was really sunny, so luckily the way our house sits and the driveway, the van's (it is a 15pass.) side doors were able to open up to full sun for several hours. I went to check on it about 4:00 or so and it feels great...so hopefully...there won't come a smell.
The hardest part ended up putting the carseat straps and cushions back together...it's like wrestling a bear or something! 
So thanks for the encouragement..I managed to not cry all day! (I think splurging on a slurpee during errands helped too )
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KackyK
Mom to 8 - 3 dd, 5ds & 4 babes in heaven
Beginning With the Assumption
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Help! My van is soaking wet...inside!!!
