Pet odor on upholstery can be a frustrating issue for many pet owners, who love to share their space with furry friends. However, there is no denying the fact that these scents (whether from urine or general pet odor), over time, can become embedded in the fabric of your furniture, only to stink beyond repair.
To make sure you don’t end up with such mishaps, all you have to do is read this blog up to the end. Here, we will walk you through proven steps and useful tips on how to remove pet odors from the upholstery, using a handful of household solutions, and help keep your space and sofa smelling clean and fresh.
Table of Contents
Removing Pet Smells From The Upholstery: Six Steps To Follow
1. Blot Quickly
When a pet accident occurs (especially accidental urination by younger pets), the odor-causing substances can quickly soak into the upholstery fabrics. Besides, the longer you delay, the more the smell as well as the stain can seep deeper into the fabric and make it more difficult to remove.
Thus, take a clean cloth and start blotting the stained area. Blot sufficient (avoid rubbing) in order to soak as much stain as possible.
2. Read The Care Label
Now, before you start the cleaning process, make sure that you read the care label thoroughly. The care label often provides specific cleaning instructions from the manufacturer.
Meaning, it ensures that you use the most effective and safe cleaning method for your upholstery type. Some of the common codes on the care label are listed below.
- W- Cleaned by water-based cleaners.
- W/S- Cleaned by both water and dry-solvent-based cleaners.
- X- Must not use any water as well as dry-solvent-based cleaners.
- S- Dry-solvent-based cleaners are allowed to use, but not water ones.
3. Vacuum Thoroughly
Pet odors often originate from urine or vomit, which can leave behind some solid residues. So, to clear the area, grab your vacuum cleaner, and start vacuuming.
Vacuuming helps remove this residue as well as dirt, hair, and other particles from upholstery fabric. This makes the area clean, ensuring that your odor-removing solution seeps deeper into the fabric and neutralizes odor to its core.
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4. Choose Your Preferred Household Ingredient
As you’ve vacuumed the area, it’s time to tackle the pet odor from your upholstery, once and for all. There are a number of household ingredients to choose from.
But whichever solution you go ahead with, always ensure that you test it in a hidden part of the couch first to see that it doesn’t yield any harmful effects on the fabric.
Baking Soda And Water
Initially, you can begin with the combination of baking soda and water. Pet odors are also caused by acidic compounds found in urine, sweat, or skin oils. When baking soda comes into contact with these acidic molecules, a chemical reaction occurs that neutralizes these molecules and reduces the odor.
Therefore, mix about 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Shake them well so that the baking soda dissolves fully. After that, lightly spray the solution onto the affected areas of the upholstery.
Use a soft brush to gently work the solution in the fabric, especially if you are dealing with deep-set odors. This helps the solution seep deeper into the fibers and reach embedded odors. Lastly, allow the solution to sit for a minimum of 15-20 minutes.
White Vinegar
In addition to baking soda and water solution, white vinegar is also a preferred option to remove pet odors from the upholstery. The acetic acid in white vinegar effectively breaks down some of the odor-causing molecules at a chemical level.
This alters their structure and makes them less smelly. Moreover, white vinegar also has mild antimicrobial properties that can help reduce bacteria and germs that contribute to bad smells.
Thus, mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the solution onto the smelly areas of the upholstery. Now, let the solution sit for about 10-15 minutes.
In this time period, the vinegar will work to neutralize the smell as it evaporates. However, at the same time, ensure proper ventilation by opening windows or using a fan, to help with drying.
Bonus Point: Because white vinegar has strong acetic properties, it is also recommended to remove coffee stains, tea stains, and even chocolate stains from the upholstery fabric. So make sure to use it on any given day, should you spill any of those substances on your couch.
Hydrogen Peroxide And Dish Soap
Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent that breaks down organic compounds responsible for pet odors, such as proteins and bacteria found in pet urine, and other messes.
So, when hydrogen peroxide comes into contact with organic material, it releases oxygen molecules that attract and break down odor-causing compounds. On the other hand, dish soap contains surfactants that lower the surface tension of water and allow the solution to seep into fabrics more effectively.
Hence, mix 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap in a spray bottle filled with 2 cups of water. Lightly spray the solution onto the pet odor spots.
Then, use a soft brush to gently work the solution into the fabric. This helps the mixture seep deeper and lift odor-causing residues. Lastly, allow the solution to sit for some 10-15 minutes, as this gives it ample time to work its magic.
5. Steam Clean The Couch
Apart from household ingredients, you can also consider steam cleaning your couch to tackle pet odors. The combination of hot water and a detergent in a steam machine seeps deep into the fabric and removes the odor particles from their source (something that traditional cleaning solutions may, at times, fail to do).
But bear in mind that steam cleaning the upholstery can be a complex task, especially when you are an amateur. To help yourself in such times, all you have to do is hire professionals from Best Steamers to get the job done.
Having a rich experience of about 17 years, they offer some of the best steam cleaning services for upholstery using top-notch appliances and solutions, ensuring customer satisfaction at its best.
6. Let The Couch Dry
So as you’ve dealt with the pet odor, make sure you let the couch dry thoroughly. There are several ways to do so. One of the best ways is to open all windows and doors for the fresh air to flow throughout your home.
In addition, you can also turn on your dehumidifiers or place table fans near the upholstery, pointing them towards the window or the door.
Concluding Thoughts!
Other than carpet, upholstery, perhaps, is one of the most common places where our furry friends love to cuddle or take a deep nap. But amidst this fun, they often leave behind a mess that is typically usual, yet frustrating to deal with. In other words – Pet Odor.
Nonetheless, the solution to remove pet odors from the upholstery lies completely within your hand. The key is to know how to use the right solutions the right way and tackle that mess effectively.
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