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.
Then vacuum the baking soda up with a brush attachment. Make a DIY couch cleaner. While the baking soda sets in, you can concoct a simple cleaner to remove any remaining stains. Combine 1 tsp dishwashing liquid, 1 tbsp white vinegar, and 1 cup warm water in a spray bottle.
Add about 25 drops of your favorite essential oil to 2 tablespoons of baking soda and stir to combine. Lemon and lavender are great choices, but eucalyptus is my favorite because of the refreshing scent. Pour the baking soda and essential oil mix into the water and stir. Then funnel the water into your spray bottle.
Applying a Vinegar Mix: Vinegar can neutralize odors effectively. Mix up a solution that's half water and half white vinegar, pour it into a spray bottle, and then lightly spritz your couch with it. Remember, you just want to dampen the surface, not wet it completely. After spraying, let the couch air out to dry.
To rid your couch of body odour smells, generously sprinkle baking soda all over the upholstery cushions, back rest and crevices. Leave for about an hour and then vacuum up all the remaining particles. Repeat if the odour lingers. This works because baking soda chemicals work to neutralize the acids in bad smells.
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.
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.
Baking soda, scented liquid soap, and hydrogen peroxide
Mix 2 cups (470 mL) hydrogen peroxide, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) baking soda, and 2 drops of liquid dish soap together. Then, pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the smelly parts of your couch and let it air dry.
Cleaning couches and upholstery with vinegar
But if you're looking for a quick refresh, vinegar can tackle that mild, stale sofa smell. As always, check the label on your couch first – some upholstery is not compatible with water-based cleaning solutions (steer clear if the label has a S or X on it).
Simply sprinkle baking soda liberally over your sofa, focusing on areas with the strongest odours. Leave it for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight for stubborn smells) before vacuuming it up.
Bissell Oxy Stain Pretreat
Of all the upholstery cleaning sprays we tried, this formula from Bissell was our absolute favorite. The spray works as a pretreat for deep cleaning or as a spot and stain remover and is suitable for rugs and carpets in addition to upholstery.
White vinegar or hydrogen peroxide solutions sanitize effectively for a household remedy. Commercial sprays such as Lysol and Clorox fabric sanitizers are bleach-free methods to kill 99.9% of odor-causing bacteria trapped in fabric fibers.
I use a capfull of bleach in about a half gallon of water. wipe it down with a rag and dry it back off. Works great, kills any fungus, and the small amount of bleach doesn't hurt finished or bare wood. You can get rid of the smell by shellacking the insides of the musty furniture.
In between your deep cleans, freshen up your couch on a regular basis, especially as soon as it emits an unwanted stench. Whatever the reason — greasy takeout, wet dog, or messy kids — you can remove smells by sprinkling baking soda all over the sofa, or by spraying it with GH Seal Star Febreze FABRIC.
Eliminating Odors
Luckily, there's an easy solution. Both Mock and Olivera recommend sprinkling baking soda on the cushions, and letting it sit—Mock recommends for a few hours in the sun. This will help absorb moisture and lingering smells. After, use a vacuum to ensure all of the baking soda is gone.
Mold or mildew growth: If your couch has been exposed to moisture or high humidity, it may develop mold or mildew, which can cause a musty smell. Pets: All pet owners know the odors that come with owning a furry friend. The unpleasant smell can infiltrate the fabric fibers down to the foam cushion.
Baking soda is one of the most effective natural cleaners to use in your home. While it can do everything from eliminate stains on clothes to remove soap scum in your shower, one of the most well-known uses for baking soda is odor removal.