Having a dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences for a pet owner. Dogs provide companionship, loyalty, and unconditional love. However, dogs can also leave behind some not-so-pleasant smells, especially on furniture like sofas. As a dog owner, you want your home to smell fresh and clean, not like a kennel. The good news is that there are many methods you can try to get dog smells out of your sofa and restore it to its original fresh scent.
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Why Do Dogs Smell?
Before learning how to get rid of dog smells on your sofa, it helps to understand why dogs smell in the first place. Here are some of the main reasons behind dog odors:
- Natural oils in fur and skin – Dogs have oil glands in their skin and fur that release oils that contain pheromones. These oils and pheromones are part of what gives dogs their distinctive “doggy” smells.
- Scent glands – Dogs have scent glands between their toes and on either side of their anus. These release oils and pheromones when dogs sweat that also contribute to dog smells.
- Saliva and mucus – A dog’s saliva and mucus can contain bacteria and yeast that cause odors when they get onto surfaces.
- Allergies or skin infections – Skin allergies, yeast infections, blocked anal glands, and other medical issues can cause dogs to smell worse than normal.
- Rolling in smelly things – Some dogs love rolling in stinky things like feces, dead animals, or garbage. This transfers those foul smells onto their coat and skin.
Knowing where dog odors come from helps identify the best ways to tackle them on your sofa.
Tips for Removing Dog Smells from Sofa
Here are some of the most effective methods and products for getting dog smells out of fabric sofas:
Vacuum Thoroughly
One of the first things to do is vacuum your sofa thoroughly to remove loose hair, dander, and debris. Use an upholstery attachment to reach into crevices and get deep down into the fabric. Vacuuming up this buildup eliminates one source of odors.
Steam Clean
Steam cleaning is one of the best ways to give sofa fabrics a deep clean. The steam helps release stuck-on debris, odors, and stains from deep within the sofa fibers. Renting a steam cleaner with an upholstery attachment is inexpensive and more effective than just using a vacuum.
Spot Clean with Pet Odor Remover
For more focused problem areas on your sofa, use a pet odor remover spray or gel. Look for enzyme cleaners that help break down the compounds causing odors at a molecular level. Thoroughly soak the smelly spots, let sit for 5-10 minutes, then blot up excess moisture with a clean cloth.
Baking Soda
Baking soda absorbs both wet and dry odors. Liberally sprinkle baking soda over all sofa cushions and into nooks and crevices. Let sit for several hours so the baking soda has time to absorb odors, then vacuum up. The lengthy sitting time gives this old standby time to work its magic.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is another household staple that helps freshen smelly sofas. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Lightly mist over fabric and let air dry. The vinegar smell dissipates as it dries but helps neutralize doggie odors in the process.
Borax
For a stronger odor eliminator, borax can treat deeply embedded pet smells in upholstery. Make a borax cleaning solution with 1⁄4 cup borax, 1⁄4 cup vinegar, and 2 cups hot water. Dip a scrub brush into the solution and scrub the grimiest areas of your sofa. Wipe away borax solution with a clean, damp cloth.
Essential Oils
Natural essential oils like lemon, lavender, and eucalyptus can help freshen up a stinky sofa. Add several drops of your chosen oils to water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the diluted oils over fabric and let dry. Not only do the oils help counteract pet odors, they also leave behind a pleasant, lasting scent on your sofa.
Deep Clean Upholstery
For severely smelly sofa fabric, a thorough deep cleaning is likely needed. Professional upholstery cleaning services have high-powered equipment, strong cleaning solutions, and the expertise to deep clean every inch of fabric and completely eliminate odors.
Preventing Dog Smells on Sofa
Stopping dog smells before they start is ideal. Here are some tips for keeping dogs from stinking up your sofa in the first place:
- Groom and bathe dogs regularly to control oils and odors on skin and in fur.
- Clean dogs’ faces, paws, and rear ends when they come inside to remove saliva, dirt, and odor-causing debris.
- Brush and comb dogs outdoors to catch loose fur so it doesn’t end up on the sofa.
- Vacuum the sofa frequently to prevent fur and dirt buildup.
- Use furniture covers or washable blankets on dog’s favorite sofa spots.
- Spray fabric protectants and odor eliminators on the sofa to help resist soiling.
- Restrict dogs from the sofa without supervision.
- Clean accidents immediately to prevent odors from setting in.
Products to Help Remove Dog Smells from Sofa
Here is a table highlighting some of the top-rated products to help tackle dog odors lingering in your sofa:
| Product | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator | Enzyme-powered spray breaks down odors instead of masking them |
| Bissell DeepClean Premier Pet Carpet Cleaner | Strong suction lifts pet hair; dedicated pet cleaning formula with Scotchgard protects from future stains and odors |
| Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator | Activated enzymes tackle set-in pet stains and odors at the source |
| Bubba’s Super Steamer Pet Stain and Odor Remover | Dual scrubbing brush loosens pet stains from fabric fibers |
| Nature’s Miracle Advanced Pet Trigger Sprayer | Formulated with a pet pheromone neutralizer to prevent re-soiling |
| Chem-Dry Upholstery Cleaner | Low moisture encapsulation process deep cleans without over-wetting |
| Arm & Hammer Odor Blasters Pet Odor Eliminator | Baking soda-powered spray deodorizes and absorbs odors |
| BISSELL Little Green Portable Spot and Stain Cleaner | Handheld cleaner with brush scrubs pet stains, suctions away dirt and moisture |
Homemade Cleaning Solutions
In addition to commercial products, you can also make homemade cleaning solutions to eliminate dog odors from your sofa. Here are a few options:
Vinegar Spray
- 1 part white vinegar
- 1 part water
Mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist over fabrics and let air dry.
Baking Soda Sprinkle
- Baking soda
Sprinkle a generous coating of baking soda over fabric surfaces. Let sit for minimum one hour before vacuuming up.
Essential Oil Spritz
- 10-15 drops essential oil like lemon or lavender
- 1 cup water
Add essential oil to water in a spray bottle. Shake well and mist over fabric. The oils help neutralize odors.
When to Call a Professional
For sofa fabrics with heavy staining or severe, embedded odors that you’ve struggled to remove on your own, call in a professional upholstery cleaning service. Professional cleaners have industrial-strength equipment, cleaning solutions, and techniques to deep clean every inch of fabric and lift away tough odors that DIY methods cannot tackle.
Conclusion
While dogs can leave behind less-than-pleasant smells on upholstered furniture, pet owners don’t have to live with a stinky, smelly sofa. There are many effective DIY odor removal methods using common household ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. For severe pet odor problems, professional upholstery cleaning services can give your sofa a deep clean and leave it fresh and odor-free. With some elbow grease and the right products, you can get rid of dog smells from your sofa and restore it to a clean scent.