We all love dogs, but they certainly can stink badly on our homes from time to time! Dirty dog hair and odors can cling to soft furniture, and quickly accumulate, especially when cleaning after these smells can be a difficult, sometimes unpleasant task.
Luckily there are a few easy ways to get your pet smell out of your couch. Whichever method you choose, the most important thing is to do it regularly. The more you clean and handle the sofa, the better it smells and you’ll be happier to share it with your best friend.
Before you begin
Protecting your dog’s smell from upholstery is a constant challenge, but there are several precautions you can take to avoid the funky smell from occurring first.
- Your dog should be regularly bathed and cared for. When you brush your dog every day, your sofa will have less hair, dirt and hard work buildup.
- Add a nice looking slipcover.
- Throw a blanket aimed at your dog only.
- An air purifier removes the smell of your dog from the entire room.
- Wipe the dog’s paws when it enters from outside to dry it if it is wet, which can be eliminated to remove the unpleasant outdoor odor that accumulates on the sofa.
The best way to get rid of dog odors from the sofa
1. Dog-specific odor remover
Unpleasant odors are a common problem for dog owners. Veterinarians recommend using enzyme deodorizers to remove dog odors from the sofa. Naturally, there are many odor-removing products available on the market, including those 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 danders and odors are eliminated by the active enzymes in deodorizing sprays. They chemically neutralize the scent rather than covering it with a scent.
Our favorite enzyme cleaner is Hepper Advanced Bioenzyme PET Staining & Odor Eliminator Spray. This is a very effective solution and can permanently remove even the most stubborn pet stains and odors. This product cleans the wind and makes your home smell fresh and clean. Plus, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee! click here Order a bottle today and transform your home cleaning routine.
Hepper Advanced Bioenzyme PET Staining & Odor Eliminator Spray
- Advanced Enzyme Cleaner – penetrates the deepest molecules and the most stubborn odors and dirt…
- Any mess, any surface – this pet smelly eliminator cleans up carpets, floors, furniture and more…
- Fresh and Natural Odor – Our unique formulations do not rely on dangerous or unpleasant chemicals…
At Dogstar, we have praised Hepper for many years and decided to take control of ownership so that we can benefit from the excellent products of this cool pet company!
2. Remove the smell of dogs with baking soda
Baking soda is a great smell remover if you have a strong, prolonged dog odor on your sofa. Sprinkle baking soda over the upholstery, sit over the night, then vacuum thoroughly the sofa the next morning. In most cases, if it hasn’t completely gone, the smell should be significantly reduced.
When used in this way, baking soda is completely safe for humans and dogs, so this natural cleaning method can be used frequently when needed.
3. Split sofa with clean fabric
Sometimes guests come in and suddenly notice that your couch smells like a dog! Once this occurs, the fabric is clean and you can quickly refresh your sofa. Products like Febreze help you remove any unpleasant odors from your sofa and smell new again. After a few minutes of spraying, the odor usually disappears and leaves you with a pleasant, fresh scent.
Fabric refreshing agents may contain large amounts of synthetic chemicals, but are considered safe to use around pets. Dogs may choose to sit on another furniture if they dislike the clean smell of the fabric you choose.
4. Throw pillows and blankets in the washing machine
Your pillow and blanket may be the real source of the smell of foul, not your sofa itself. If you use a blanket, check the tag to see if it can be machine cleaned. Thaw and throw the cushion cover in the next laundry.
Cleaning them is much easier than cleaning the entire sofa, and they may just be the cause of a strong dog smell. These items should be washed at least once a month to prevent the dog smell from sticking to them.
5. Get your upholstery
You may need to buy upholstery items, especially if you have a difficult odor. In the past, these were heavy, cumbersome and expensive machines. However, today’s more compact models are lighter and portable, and can help you control pet odors anywhere in the home. They are also really down in prices and available for rental.
They are truly a great option to stay above the smell, and their powerful spray and suction makes it easy to remove pet stains and odors from your furniture right away.
6. Vacuum the sofa thoroughly
Vacuuming alone is enough to remove pet hair and pretend from the couch, and vacuuming regularly can keep your dog’s smell at bay. If necessary, clean the vacuum every day to remove dog hair and dirt that the dog brings inside.
For best results, a vacuum with strong suction is required. Ideally, your vacuum will have an attachment to upholstery that will pick up as much hair and dirt as possible. Investing in a dedicated hand vacuum for this purpose is a great idea. You can chase your pet and whip once a day to minimize the smell of your dog.
Try going under all the corners and cushions. If your dog is lying on a blanket on the sofa, put it in a vacuum. You can then spray cleanliness on the dough to add freshness.
7. Clean the furniture
When using a steam vacuum, bacteria that contribute to the smell of your pet are killed by hot steam. To kill almost every bacteria, virus, and pathogen in furniture and other homes, steam vacuums produce powerful steam that reaches 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
Thankfully, using a steam vacuum cleaner doesn’t require any harsh chemicals that are suitable for your environment and your health.
8. Cushion will be broadcast
Odors can be removed very quickly by sunlight and fresh air. On sunny days, put the sofa cushion outside and let it sit in the sunlight for several hours. The ultraviolet rays of sunlight effectively kill the bacteria that cause odors, leaving the sofa with a fresh smell again.
9. Clean your couch professionally
The only surest way to eliminate heavy dog foul odors from the sofa is to clean it professionally. Many carpet cleaning companies offer upholstery cleaning and can generally handle a wide variety of materials and furniture.
In addition to having a more powerful machine, they also have access to industrial grade deodorizing products. This combination of heavy-duty equipment and powerful compounds can eliminate even the most difficult pet odors.
10. Remove the couch cover
Some sofas have removable covers. Remove them and rinse them every 3-4 weeks. Wash by hand or take it to a dry cleaner unless it is machine washable. To remove stubborn odors, you can add a glass of vinegar to the washing cycle.
Make sure all dog smells are removed from the couch cover before throwing it into the hair dryer and wash twice if necessary. By drying the cover before it is completely odorless, you can bake the smell into the fabric, and even after multiple washes, it may not be possible to remove the smell as it is sealed with the material!
If possible, let the cover dry naturally. If the smell persists, you can try to wash the cover again and dry it and repeat the process.
11. Vinegar and mist
Vinegar is another common household item that eliminates odors and is a common option to eliminate dog odors. Despite its ability to neutralize the odor of vinegar, it has its drawbacks. It doesn’t smell great either! However, it is possible to minimize the vinegar smell. Simply dilute one part in 3 parts water and 2 parts scented dish soap.
Since you spray this mixture on the sofa, it is best to use clear or white dish soap. You should also remember that vinegar is acidic. This means that dirt may remain.
It is best to first test this mixture in small hidden areas, such as under the cushion where your experiment is invisible. Place the spray over the dough overnight. If there is no dirt left, you can spray the rest of the sofa. Once you’re done, vacuum the entire surface of the sofa immediately.
Conclusion
Even if you love your dog, there’s no need to build an unpleasant pet smell on your sofa. You can try some of the above techniques to remove any strong odors.
Eliminating pet odors is only half the battle. If you succeed, try to keep your efforts as often as possible to maintain freshness!
Featured Image Credits: Lightfield Studios, Shutterstock
