Wet the surface of the upholstery with water and baking soda, then let it set on it for about 10 minutes. Next, wipe off the mixture with a damp cloth. This will remove most of the odors, but you may need to repeat this process if there are stubborn smells on your upholstery.
A sprinkle of baking soda
Before you go to bed, just sprinkle a layer of baking soda on the sofa. Then, in the morning, once the powder has had time to work its magic, you simply vacuum up the residue. The baking soda will neutralise the smell, leaving your sofa fresh and odour-free.
Whether you're buying rugs, dressers, sideboards, or couches, a lot of this furniture smells funky when you bring it home. That musty smell can come from how it was stored, years of disuse, or dust and grime buildup.
Most clothing smells can be removed with baking soda or vinegar applications, but some tough odors may require extra cleaning steps with heavy-duty liquid detergent or household ammonia. Choose a commercial odor remover like Downy Rinse & Refresh or remove odors from laundry using items straight from the pantry.
Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the couch with the solution, being careful not to saturate the fabric. Vinegar is effective at neutralizing odors. Allow the couch to air dry completely. The vinegar smell will dissipate, taking the musty smell with it.
A bowl of vinegar can start absorbing odors almost immediately and is typically adequate for up to 24 hours. When left out in a room, the acetic acid in vinegar neutralizes alkaline odors, such as those from smoke, cooking, or pet accidents, by binding with the odor molecules and neutralizing them.
Mix one part white vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle, and lightly spritz the affected areas of your clothing. Allow it to air dry, and the vinegar smell will dissipate, taking the unwanted odors with it. This method works well for removing musty smells and is safe for most fabrics.
OxiClean™ products are powerful odor removers to get rid of smells effectively.
Baking soda
It absorbs the smell into itself and thus removes it. We advise you to mix baking soda and water in a 1:1 ratio. Carefully apply the resulting mixture evenly to the vomit marks. With a soft brush or cloth, rub into the upholstery.
Over time, dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate on and within your sofa, particularly in the crevices between cushions. This buildup not only creates a stale smell but can also attract bacteria and mites, exacerbating the odour problem.
Distilled white vinegar, a natural deodorizer and an effective solution for removing bacteria, stains, and dirt, can successfully neutralize and eliminate stubborn smells. White vinegar is a non-toxic household staple that should be readily available at your nearest grocery store.
Take a teaspoon of washing-up liquid, white vinegar, baking soda and warm water and mix together into a lather (the mixture should froth up as the baking soda and vinegar react with one another). Then, apply directly to any stains or smudges that you can spot on your fabric sofa. Leave to dry out for around 10 minutes.
Activated Charcoal. While charcoal is a little trickier to work with than baking soda and white vinegar, it is also a highly effective odor-eliminator. The biggest thing to remember when using activated charcoal is to make sure it doesn't come into direct contact with your couch cushions or pillows. It will stain.
Use OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover powder for versatile applications. Can I use OxiClean™ Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray on wool or silk items? OxiClean™ MaxForce™ is not designed to be used on dry clean only fabrics and should not be used on wool or silk items.
Deodorizer: As hydrogen peroxide oxidizes (breaks down) it can also help to break down natural odors, such as fish or rotten food, more quickly. Mix it with baking soda and place it in areas, such as refrigerators or dishwashing machines, where odors have accumulated.
Don't mix OxiClean with vinegar.
Mixing OxiClean and vinegar is not safe. OxiClean breaks down into hydrogen peroxide, which forms peracetic acid when combined with vinegar.
Household staples, like coffee grounds, vinegar, and charcoal, can absorb musty odors from wood furniture. Place the odor-absorbing substance in a bowl and let it sit inside the closed furniture drawers. After a few days, check for odors. Replenish with new coffee grounds or vinegar, as needed.
Synthetic materials like polyester, rayon, and nylon are prone to trapping body oils and sweat, leading to odors. Wool, with its natural fibers, can also absorb smells more readily. For these materials, frequent washing with specialized detergents is key.
Whether you have an unwanted smell lingering in your garbage can or your carpet or furnishings smell like pet hair, baking soda has been used to neutralize odors for generations.