Getting Rid of Dog Odors from Your Couch
We all love our dogs, but they can certainly make our homes stink terribly at times! Foul-smelling dog hair and odors can cling and quickly build up—especially on soft furnishings, and cleaning up after these smells can be a difficult and sometimes unpleasant task. Luckily, there are some easy ways to get pet odors out of your couch. Whichever method you choose, the most important thing is to do it regularly—the more often you clean and treat your couch, the better it’ll smell, and the happier you’ll be about sharing it with your best friend.
Before You Begin
Keeping dog odors out of upholstery is a constant challenge, but you can take some preventative measures to avoid funky smells from arising in the first place, including:
- Your dog should be bathed and groomed regularly—your couch will accumulate less hair, dirt, and dander if you brush your dog daily.
- Add some great-looking slipcovers.
- Buy throw blankets that are intended for your dog only.
- Remove dog odor from the entire room with an air purifier.
- You can eliminate some of the unpleasant outdoor odors that accumulate on your couch by wiping your dog’s feet when they come in from outside and drying them if they’re wet.
The Top Methods for Removing Dog Odors From a Couch
1. Dog-Specific Odor Eliminators
Unpleasant odors are a common problem for dog owners. Veterinarians recommend using an enzyme deodorizer to get rid of dog odor from your couch. Unsurprisingly, there are many odor-eliminating products available on the market, including some that are specifically designed for furniture. Veterinary offices, pet stores, and online retailers sell this non-toxic cleaner. Many of these products can be used on both fabric and hard surfaces. Dog dander and odor are eliminated by the deodorizing spray’s active enzymes. They chemically neutralize odors rather than masking them with fragrance.
2. Vacuuming
Vacuuming alone can often be enough to remove pet hair and dander from your sofa, and vacuuming regularly helps keep dog odors at bay. If needed, vacuum every day to get rid of dog hair and any dirt your dog brings inside. For best results, you’ll need a vacuum with powerful suction. Ideally, your vacuum will have an upholstery attachment that picks up as much hair and dirt as possible.
3. Steam Cleaning
With steam cleaners, bacteria—which contribute to pet odor—are killed by hot steam. In order to kill almost all bacteria, viruses, and pathogens on furniture and other surfaces in your home, steam cleaners create powerful steam that reaches 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Thankfully, using steam cleaners does not require any harsh chemicals, which is better for the environment and your health.
4. Air Out Your Cushions
Odors can be removed remarkably quickly by sunshine and fresh air. Take your couch cushions outside on a sunny day and let them sit in the sunlight for several hours. The ultraviolet rays in sunshine effectively kill odor-causing bacteria, leaving your sofa smelling fresh again.
5. Professional Cleaning
The only surefire way to eliminate a heavy canine stench from your sofa is to have it professionally cleaned. Many carpet cleaning companies offer upholstery cleaning, and they can generally handle a diverse range of materials and furniture. In addition to having more powerful machines, they will also have access to industrial-grade deodorizing products.
6. Remove Couch Covers
Some couches have removable covers. Take them off and wash them every three to four weeks. Unless they’re machine washable, wash them by hand or take them to the dry cleaner. To get rid of stubborn odors, you can add a cup of vinegar to the wash cycle. Ensure that all dog odor has been removed from the couch covers before throwing them in the dryer and if necessary, wash them a second time.
7. Mist with Vinegar
Vinegar is another common household product that eliminates odors, and it’s a popular choice for eliminating canine smells. Despite vinegar’s capability to neutralize odors, there is a drawback—it doesn’t smell great, either! It’s possible to minimize vinegar’s odor, though, by simply diluting one part vinegar to three parts water and two parts scented dish soap.
Conclusion
Even though you love your dog, you don’t need unpleasant pet odors building up on your couch. Try some of the above techniques to get rid of any strong smells, and hopefully, one of the solutions will assist you. Eliminating pet odors is only half the battle. Once you have succeeded, try to repeat your efforts as frequently as possible to maintain freshness!