Dog owners often face the challenge of keeping their homes smelling fresh, especially when it comes to their couches. That familiar dog smell, while a sign of our beloved pets, can linger on furniture, leaving an unwanted odor in your living space.
If one day you enter your living room thinking, “My couch smells like dog!" Don’t worry; there's a totally feasible way to tackle this. Our guide offers practical and effective solutions to remove dog smell from your couch, helping you maintain a fresh and inviting home environment.
Join us as we explore these steps for keeping your living space as pleasant and welcoming as possible. At the end of the article, discover practical tips on preventing dog odor from settling into your couch!
The Quick Answer
Here’s a quick solution to remove dog smell from your couch:
- Tackle any fresh spots or spills right away.
- Protect your sofa with Nolan Interior’s Sofa Cover and keep your furniture clean and fresh.
- Frequent vacuuming helps remove pet hair and dander.
- Use baking soda to absorb and neutralize odors.
- Lightly spray with a fabric refresher formulated for pet odors.
- Consider steam cleaning or a deep fabric cleanse for thorough odor removal.
- Regular grooming of your pet can significantly reduce smells.
We’re going to take a closer look at each of these pieces, so keep reading to learn more.
Identifying the Source
Locating the Odor
Remove pillows and cushions from your couch and start by pinpointing where the dog smell is strongest on your couch. It could be specific spots where your pet frequently lies down or areas affected by accidents.
Inspecting for Stains and Spills
If you cannot locate where the odor comes from, look for any visible stains or wet spots. We also recommend removing couch cushions and covers to spot any deeply absorbed stains, if there are any.
Note that stains and spills are often the primary sources of odor and require immediate attention.
😶🌫️Uh-oh! Spilled something on your couch? No worries—check whether you have these cleaning solutions to tackle the stain.
Assessing Fabric Type
Before you grab your strongest cleaning solution, check your couch's fabric type. Different materials may need different cleaning approaches, especially when dealing with sensitive or delicate upholstery. The last thing you want is to ruin your couch even further!
How to Get Dog Smell Out of Couch: Home Remedies
If your couch smells like a dog, try using pet-safe cleaning solutions from home before calling in the professionals. Harsh chemicals can be harmful to pets, so it's best to opt for gentler, pet-friendly options. Here are some effective natural solutions:
Using Baking Soda
One of the safest and most effective ways to get dog smell out of the couch is baking soda. Baking soda is a natural odor absorber that will refresh your couch without extra effort.
Sprinkle baking soda generously over the couch, and add a bit more on the problematic spots that smell or have been stained. Let the magic powder sit for a few hours or overnight so that it has enough time to absorb the nasty odor.
Next, vacuum your couch thoroughly and enjoy your leisure time without being disturbed by dog odors.
Vinegar Solution
Another way to remove dog smell from your couch is by spraying vinegar on problematic areas. Vinegar is effective in neutralizing odors without leaving a residue.
Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and lightly mist the solution over the couch, being careful not to oversaturate.
Alternatively, you can add a half cup of vinegar to the mild detergent and clean the covers in the washing machine.
Essential Oils
For a fresh scent, consider adding a few drops of pet-friendly essential oils to your cleaning solutions. This can help in masking any lingering dog smell with a more pleasant aroma.
With essential oils, you won’t have to clean the couch cover whenever you smell an unpleasant odor. It’s enough to create your personal pet deodorizer with essential oils and apply it occasionally.
How to Remove Dog Smell from Couch with Commercial Cleaners
When it comes to picking out a cleaner to get rid of that dog smell on your couch, it's all about finding something pet-friendly. There are many options out there that can do the job without being harsh on your pup.
Just spray or apply it to the spots that smell bad, following what the label says. Sometimes, letting it sit a bit longer helps with those really stubborn odors. Watch out for the super strong chemicals – it's not great for your dog and might be too much for your couch too.
How to Get Pet Odor Out of Couch with Deep Cleaning Techniques
Pre-Clean Vacuuming
Before diving into deep cleaning, give your couch a good vacuum. This removes pet hair and other debris, setting the stage for more effective cleaning.
Steam Cleaning for a Thorough Job
If your couch smells like a dog and the odors are deeply embedded, a steam cleaner can be a game-changer. It reaches into the fibers, helping to lift and remove lingering smells. Just make sure your couch's material is suitable for steam cleaning.
Post-Cleaning Airing
After deep cleaning, let your couch air out. Open windows or use fans to help speed up the drying process and disperse any remaining odors. Airing your room will also help get rid of any dog odor left in it.
Preventative Measures and Regular Maintenance
The best way to get dog smell out of the couch is to prevent them in the first place. Here are some of the most effective preventative measures we always recommend to our clients:
Bathe and Groom Your Dogs Regularly
Keeping your couch free from dog smell is all about staying on top of things. Regularly brushing your dog can cut down on all the hair and dander they leave behind. Also, make it a routine to vacuum your couch often, and if you spot a mess, clean it up immediately. A big help can be throwing on a sofa cover, like the ones from Nolan Interior.
Use Nolan Interior’s Sofa Covers for Maximum Protection
Nolan Interior’s Sofa Covers keep your couches fresh and clean, no matter how big or small your dogs are. Our revolutionary product wraps around the cushions snugly, ensuring their paws don’t scratch the surface and dirt won’t accumulate between cushions.
We offer four different protective covers for your couch–order the one that suits your furniture the best:
- Available in different colors and patterns
- Machine-washable
- Easy to install
- Budget-friendly
- Available in different colors and patterns
- Machine-washable
- Easy to install
- Soft and premium feel
- Available in different colors and patterns
- Machine-washable
- Easy to install
- Stays put on the couch
- Available in different colors and patterns
- Machine-washable
- Easy to install
- Protects the entire couch
Train Your Dog to Stay Off the Couch
Finally, the last tip that doesn’t happen overnight is training your dog to stay off your furniture. By teaching your pet commands, you can protect your couch from stains and scratches and also establish clear boundaries in the house.
To discourage your dog from jumping on the couch, you can purchase a comfortable bed beside where you usually sit and reinforce good behavior with its favorite snacks.
Conclusion
Wrapping up, getting that dog smell out of your couch is possible with these steps:
- Quick action on messes and routine vacuuming are key.
- Use baking soda, vinegar, or pet-safe commercial cleaners for deeper cleaning.
- A thorough steam clean can tackle stubborn smells. Learn more on how to steam clean your sofa.
- Help reduce the amount of hair and dander.
- Nolan Interior’s sofa covers are a handy solution for protecting your couch from future smells as they are machine-washable.
By sticking to these practices, your couch can stay fresh and welcoming, making it a clean space for both you and your dogs.