How to Get Dog Smell Out of a Couch In 10 Ways

Pets especially dogs are great company when you are relaxing at home but they can be a lot of work especially if they love sleeping on the couch.

The chances of dogs leaving their hairs and smell on the couch, which is usually not pleasing is high and if you don’t know how to get rid of it you might not want to spend another minute on your couch.

Since we usually consider pets as part of our families, restricting them from sleeping on the couch would be inhuman, therefore, in this article, we will provide you, a dog owner with 10 different ways of how you can get rid of dog smell so you don’t have to be worried every time you spot your dog on your favorite couch.

How Do You Get Dog Smell Out Of a Couch?

You absolutely don’t need a professional to help you get rid of the dog smell on your couch as there are natural methods most of which you probably have at home or can be bought at an affordable price.

You can use baking soda, vinegar, or a combination of these two to get rid of dog smell and any other odor that is coming from your couch. Baking soda and vinegar are the best natural methods for dealing with dog odors and I would highly recommend them as I have always used and I’m always excited about the results.

In this article, you will learn 10 different ways to get rid of dog smell on your couch or any other fabric in your home. you don’t have to use each of these methods, you will just have to identify one that works well for you and all your worries about dog smell will be sorted out. Read on to find out more

1. Pet Grooming

Pet grooming is more of a preventive measure when it comes to maintaining and caring for your couch if you keep pets. When your dog is smelling fresh, there are low chances of it giving off a foul odor. Therefore, brushing off your dog’s hair and washing it regularly is the best way to prevent its smell from accumulating on your couch.

The process of cleaning your couch is very simple and can be done just at home with the best brush for cleaning dogs. You can also take it to a vet to get cleaned but it can be a bit expensive if you are going to have it cleaned regularly.

2. Use Baking Soda

Baking soda is best known for removing odors instantly and it’s, therefore, the best remedy, if you feel like the dog smell on your couch, is becoming a nuisance.

Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on every part of your couch including the back and in the crevices between the cushions and back. Let the baking soda sit for about 8 hours then vacuum it up and your couch will be smelling fresh.

If you still feel like the dog smell is still there, repeat the process for the second time and the odor will be gone by then.

Baking soda is the best natural remedy for eliminating all types of odor and the dog smell on your couch is not an exception.

3. Vinegar Solution

Vinegar is a best-known deodorizer and just like baking soda, it neutralizes and eliminates odors instantly leaving your fabric smelling fresh and new. You will, however, need to test a small amount of vinegar in an inconspicuous area to see if it will react since vinegar is acidic in nature.

To use a vinegar solution, put a cup of water in a spray bottle, add ½ a cup of vinegar and a generous amount of dish soap then shake gently to mix.

Spray the solution generously on every part of your couch so as to get rid of the dog smell. Let it sit for about 8 minutes then use a sponge or a soft piece of white cloth and massage your couch for the vinegar solution to soak well. Take a clean damp cloth (use clean water to rinse) and massage your couch, then blot dry with a clean towel.

Vinegar has a very strong smell and you might need to vacuum up your couch to get rid of the vinegar smell.

4. Mixture of Baking Soda and Vinegar

Although baking soda and vinegar would work great if used individually, they tend to be more effective if used together. A mixture of baking soda and vinegar will be a great solution to the dog smell on your couch or any other fabric with a foul smell.

To use baking soda and vinegar, you will need to sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on every part of your couch including the back and the crevices and let it sit for about 8 minutes. Baking soda is best at eliminating odors and the longer you let it sit the more effective it will be.

In a spray bottle, add 2 cupfuls of water and ½ cup of vinegar and shake gently to mix, then spray the solution over the baking soda. Use a sponge or a soft brush to rub the couch gently. The Vinegar solution will help neutralize and eliminate the dog small on your couch.

Since vinegar usually has a strong smell, you will need to vacuum it up to get rid of the smell, leaving your couch smelling fresh and new.

5. Use Pet Odor Eliminator

There are certain odor eliminators that are suitable to use around your pet. Getting the best pet odor eliminator is affordable and is also simple to use. Instead of having to wash your couch every now and then whenever your dog leaves its smell behind, you will just have to spray your favorite pet odor eliminator on your couch and vacuum up thereafter to eliminate the excess smell. I would recommend this pet odor eliminator from amazon, it is affordable and effective.

6. Use of Upholstery Cleaning Machine

The biggest contributors to dog smell on your couch are the hairs they leave behind. They, therefore, require the best and effective upholstery cleaning machine to get eliminated.

Pet hairs can be hard to eliminate especially if they get stuck on the crevices and behind the couch but this upholstery cleaning machine from amazon will be of great help to you.

7. Use of Durable Slipcovers or Couch Covers

You can use couch covers or slipcovers to get the dog smell out of your couch easily. Couch covers and slipcovers are not only suitable for preventing spilled drinks from ruining your couch, but they would also come in handy if you have a dog that likes sleeping on the couch while leaving behind some foul smell.

Using couch covers or slipcovers is a preventative measure as instead of the dog smell getting onto your couch, couch covers prevent that from happening. The best thing is that it is easy to clean couch covers as compared to a whole couch, and it’s even cheaper than having a professional coming over to clean it every time your dog leaves its smell behind.

8. Cleaning Couch Covers and Pillows Regularly

When it comes to maintaining a clean house, it is very important to maintain general hygiene. And if your dog spends the better part of the day sleeping on the couch, you really need to pay attention to your couch covers, pillows, and throws as they also are victims of dog smell.

You might even be surprised that the dog smell doesn’t actually come from your couch but from the covers and pillows. Therefore, it is important to wash them regularly to prevent dog smells from accumulating further.

It is absolutely simple and fast to wash couch covers as compared to washing a whole sofa which might even take a bit longer to dry.

Also Read: How to keep couch covers in place

9. Seek Professional Cleaning

Professional cleaning might be essential especially if the dog smell on your couch has overstayed and you have tried all the DIYs to no avail.

You will need to identify the best couch cleaning service provider and let them help you clean your couch thoroughly to get rid of all the dog smell and hairs that may have stick on the cushion covers, the back, and on the crevices.

Since professional cleaning is usually thorough but expensive, you might need to clean your couch regularly at home after it has been cleaned by a professional to prevent the smells from accumulating further which will make it easier just washing at home.

10. Vacuuming Regularly

If you value your couch’s aesthetic and you have pets, you should invest in a good vacuum cleaner. They are thorough, especially at collecting all the pet hairs and dirt left on your couch by pets which also contribute greatly to the foul dog odor.

Vacuum cleaners are best at disinfecting and that’s exactly what you need if you have a dog that likes spending the better part of its life on your couch.

These vacuum cleaner from amazon is not only affordable but very effective when it comes to getting rid of dog hairs, debris, and dog smell.

What Essential Oils Get’s Dog Smell Out of a Couch?

There are essential oils that are perfectly meant for minimizing dog smell on couches or any other upholstery.  These essential oils are usually available in different scents including lavender, chamomile, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, orange, and so many others. Their wide variety makes it convenient for you to pick a scent that you like.

A perfect example of essential oil that will help you get rid of the dog smell on your couch is this lavender and chamomile aromatherapy freshening and shining spray for pets from the Gerrard Larriett Aromatherapy pet store that is available on amazon. It is pet-friendly and very effective when it comes to taking care of dog smell. Plus, its price is affordable.

The best thing about essential oils is that you can also make your own at home to avoid the extra costs that come with buying every now and then.

To make your essential oil at home, you will need water and your preferred essential oil. In a spray bottle add 2 cups of water and ½ cup of essential oil then shake gently to mix completely. Whenever you need to use it, spray a generous amount of it on your couch or any other upholstery and your house will be free from dog smell.

How to Get Dog Smell Out of a Microfiber Couch?

In case you don’t know, microfiber couches are the most comfortable, practical, and functional couches you will ever come across. However, if you keep dogs, they tend to be vulnerable to their smell especially if you fail to groom your dog regularly.

Luckily, there are DIYs that are meant to help you keep your microfiber couch free from dog smell in a simple and affordable way.

You will need a vacuum cleaner to deodorize your microfiber couch and baking soda to eliminate the foul odor left behind by your dog. Follow these steps to achieve a new and fresh smelling couch:

Step 1

Using your vacuum cleaner, vacuum up all the pet hairs, debris, and any other type of dirt that may have accumulated over time on your couch. Be sure to check on the crevices, it is even better if you remove your cushions if they are removable so you can reach all the corners of your couch effectively.

Step 2

Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on every part of your couch including the back. Let it sit for about 15 minutes. The more the baking soda sits the more effective it will be. If possible, sprinkle it and let it stay overnight if the smell is extreme.

Step 3

Vacuum up all the excess baking soda from your couch.  By now you will notice that all the dog smell has been eliminated and your couch is back to smelling fresh and new.

How to Get Dog Smell Out of a Velvet Couch?

Velvet is one of the most luxurious upholstery that is widely used in making furniture. Couches made of velvet fabric are usually classy and require high maintenance and if you keep dogs, you really need to have knowledge on how to prevent your velvet couch from accumulating too much dog smell.

It is easier to get rid of dog smell on velvet couches just as it is with other types of fabric. In this article, you will learn 5 steps to getting your velvet couch free from dog smell. You will need:

  • Vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • Spray bottle

Although baking soda and vinegar are known to work best individually, they tend to be more effective when used together especially if the extent of the dog smell has become extreme. Here are the steps to get dog smell out of a velvet couch

Step 1

Brush off all the pet hairs, debris, dust, and dirt from your couch to make the cleaning process smooth and fast. Make sure you access the back and the crevices so you don’t leave some dirt behind.

Step 2

Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on every part of your couch and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Depending on the extent of the smell, you might want to leave the baking soda sitting for a while so that it can absorb and eliminate all the foul odor.

Step 3

In a spray bottle, add a cup or two of water and ½ cup of vinegar then shake gently to mix the solution. Spray the solution over the baking soda, then using a sponge or soft brush, massage the couch gently for the vinegar to penetrate.

Step 4

Spray clean water over your couch and use a clean cotton cloth to blot dry the couch to remove the excess vinegar.

Step 5

Use a vacuum cleaner to absorb all the excess water and vinegar from your couch and dry it before the next use.

Conclusion

Pets are a great source of a company at home or even at the workplace but the fact that they love spending most of their time on the couch will make you all alert on ways to prevent their smell from accumulating on your couch. Fortunately, the above-mentioned ways are effective and easy to administer. Plus, everything you need you most likely has at home or can be bought at an affordable price in a store near you.