Hi, recently purchased a second hand 2001 Pennine Fiesta and there is a smell like sour milk in it. I have searched the forum and seen that a couple of other people experienced this and Pennine say it was something to do with a wash on the bed boards.
Rather than replace the bed boards has anyone else managed to sustain the smell?
I have removed all the interior furnishings and washed the curtains and hope to get them aired on a sunny day.
I really pleased with the camper inf every other way so hope someone can find a cheap solution.
Apparently I read that it effected just the 2001 year . I haven't contacted Pennine but I think that will be the next step. Both bed boards are affected and the beds have the smell in them which is the worst thing.
I have some bicarbonate of soda in a dish in the room in the house with the beds which I am hoping will help. Fingers crossed!
Yes we have taken out all the furnishings as they held the smell as well. Washing the curtains has helped but I am hoping that the beds can be cleaned in some way. Any ideas?
If you have taken both the boards off already it maybe the only thing left is to change them. But the board needs some sort of dressing on them. Not varnish unless it is the breathing one. More expensive I was told but will allow them to breath underneath you. The 5ply board can be got from B & Q as we thought at one time we may have to replace but were fortunated enough not to have to. But it was the varnish that we wanted to find out about as the shop Camping International said we can dress them. But after the members here said do not touch them is possible we never did and it all came to nothing.
I think I would try steam cleaning the mattresses and also the bed boards.
You will need to make sure the mattresses are properly dry though before you fold them back up in the camper.
Some say that the bed boards should be left in their natural wood state so that they can breath which is probably true but the beds in our old Pullman had been varnished and we didn't have any condensation problems. A water based varnish might seal the smell in if you can't get rid of it.
Is it the boards as WELL as the mattresses. As if it is the actuall mattresses it could of been spilt milk on them rather than the wash. if not and only the boards then B=+Q will cut exact to size.If you cannot use the outside air to penetrate to clear the smell by sheer fresh air
Thats the varnish the one Angela says I knew it was something added to just the varnish word.Water based.
But we have had no problems.We do use the outside air to clear alot a good blow in the wind. Have you taken the covers off of the mattresses and washed them, leaving only the foam (that is if they are foam ones as some are sprung) mattresses
I think I would try steam cleaning the mattresses and also the bed boards.
You will need to make sure the mattresses are properly dry though before you fold them back up in the camper.
Some say that the bed boards should be left in their natural wood state so that they can breath which is probably true but the beds in our old Pullman had been varnished and we didn't have any condensation problems. A water based varnish might seal the smell in if you can't get rid of it.
It is a shame when you find things have been done that did not really need it as it cause more problems for you.We have some bits of a varnish on ours that si why I have asked about them also, But as it was not a thick base to leave alone. I did and it is okay. Stil watch them whilst we are aways though. Have found putting two single cotton duvet covers sewn up used as an under the mattress cover for the boards that has helped us to keep any condesation away. We still look every other day or so when on holiday as we go away for 10 weeks from May 6th onward. Had all types of weather but been fine.
If the mattresses are foam, you can remove the covers & wash them. Then use a Frebreeze fabric spray on the foams. This should clear the smell in the mattresses. However, if you can't sort out the boards, then the mattresses will just pick up the smell from them as soon as you put them back in. Sorry, I don't know what to recommend for the smelly boards.
Good news! Had camper out in air today and the smell inside is not so bad, doesn't appear to be bed boards after all.
Have vanish foam washed the mattresses and put them out to dry and they are smelling better, so fingers crossed that we will be smelling sweet before too long !
Hi I hate to be a party pooper here but please read my posts from 2008. I had this problem and my experience is that the smell comes back no matter what you do. Oddly it gets worse in cool damp weather not hot weather which is a bit strange. I ended up replacing the foam in the matresses and the bed boards. This is not difficult but as I live near Accringtom I got replacements from Pennine. I got blank boards and took the frames off the old ones and riveted them to the new ones.
.I think Pennine still do ones with the framework attached and this is worth getting even though it costs more. Do not use any finish on them as it only encourages condensation. Its worth the effort for peice of mind and the Fiesta is a great versatile unit.