The short answer: vacuum the couch thoroughly, sprinkle baking soda over the dry fabric and leave it for several hours or overnight, then vacuum it up. If the smell comes back, it has a source inside the cushions, such as pet urine or a spill that soaked in, and needs an enzyme cleaner or a deeper clean that suits your sofa’s cleaning code. Always check the code first and test on a hidden spot.
1. Find where the smell is coming from
Take the cushions off and smell the cushions, the seat deck underneath and the back separately. A smell that is strongest in one spot usually means a spill or accident; a smell all over usually means everyday body oils, smoke or damp. Check the cushion inserts as well as the covers, because liquids often soak through to the foam.
2. Deodorize with baking soda
- Vacuum everything, including the crevices and under the cushions.
- Sprinkle a thin, even layer of baking soda over the dry fabric and work it in lightly with a soft brush.
- Leave it for at least a few hours, or overnight for stronger smells.
- Vacuum it all up with the upholstery tool.
Baking soda is safe for most fabrics, but test it on a dark fabric first to make sure it vacuums out without leaving a haze. Don’t use it on leather.
How to get smells out of a couch, by cause
| Smell | What to do |
|---|---|
| Pet urine | Blot up as much as you can, then use an enzyme cleaner made for upholstery and let it work as the label says. Enzymes break down the compounds that cause the smell instead of covering them. Check the cleaning code first. Full steps: how to get pee out of a couch. |
| General pet smell | Vacuum often with a pet-hair tool, wash any removable covers and throws, and deodorize with baking soda every few weeks. |
| Musty or damp | Air the couch and cushions in a dry, ventilated room, use a dehumidifier, and deodorize with baking soda. If there is visible mold, call a professional. |
| Smoke | Air the room well, vacuum, deodorize, and wash any removable covers. Smoke gets into foam, so stubborn smoke odors usually need professional cleaning. |
| Food and drink | Treat the spot according to the cleaning code, then deodorize the area once it is completely dry. |
| Body odor and sweat | Clean the arms, headrests and seats where skin touches the fabric, following the cleaning code, then deodorize. |
Cleaning codes matter
Water-based cleaners and enzyme sprays are for fabrics coded W or W/S. On S-coded fabric, water can leave rings, so use a solvent cleaner; on X, only vacuum and call a professional. Our guide on how to clean a couch explains every code and has a stain chart.
Washing covers and cushions
If the covers are removable and have a wash label, washing them on a cold, gentle cycle and air-drying them removes most smells. Never soak or machine-wash foam inserts; spot-clean them, let them dry completely and deodorize them. Slipcovered sofas are the easiest to keep fresh.
What not to do
- Don’t spray heavy fragrance over a smell: it masks it for a day and the smell comes back.
- Don’t soak the fabric; damp foam takes days to dry and can start to smell musty.
- Don’t mix cleaners, and never use bleach on upholstery.
- Don’t use baking soda, vinegar or water-based sprays on leather. See how to clean a leather couch.
Frequently asked questions
Does vinegar get smells out of a couch?
A light mist of one part white vinegar to two parts water can help neutralize odors on W-coded fabric, and the vinegar smell fades as it dries. Test it on a hidden area first, don’t soak the fabric, and never use it on leather, silk or S- or X-coded fabric.
How do you keep a couch smelling fresh?
Vacuum weekly, air the room, deodorize with baking soda every month or two, wash throws and removable covers regularly, and deal with spills and accidents straight away.
When should you call a professional?
When the smell comes back after cleaning, when urine has soaked into the foam, when there is mold, or when the fabric is coded X or is silk or another delicate weave.
Living with pets? See the best couch fabric for pets and our pet-friendly sofas.