How to Get a Smell Out of a Couch
Short answer
Most couch smells come from sweat, body oil, food, pets, or an accident soaked into the cushions. First find the cleaning code under a cushion: W means water-based cleaners are fine, S means solvent only, W/S means either, and X means vacuum only. Vacuum everything, sprinkle baking soda overnight, and treat urine or vomit with an enzyme cleaner. Wash removable covers, and dry everything completely.
Quick steps
- Find the cleaning code (W, S, W/S, or X) on the tag under a cushion or the frame.
- Take the cushions off and vacuum every surface, seam, and crevice.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the dry fabric, leave it overnight, and vacuum it up.
- Treat urine, vomit, or sweat stains with an enzyme cleaner if the code allows water.
- Wash removable covers as their label says, and let everything dry fully before you put it back.
Need supplies? Jump to what to buy
Check the cleaning code first
Most upholstered furniture has a tag under a seat cushion or on the base with a letter code. It tells you what the fabric can take:
| Code | What it means | Can you use water or enzyme cleaner? |
|---|---|---|
| W | Water-based cleaners are safe | Yes |
| S | Solvent (dry-cleaning) cleaners only | No. Water can shrink, stain, or ring it |
| W/S or SW | Either is safe | Yes, test first |
| X | Vacuum only | No. Call a professional |
If there’s no tag, treat it like S and test anything on a hidden spot, such as the back or under the frame, before you use it on the front.
1. Vacuum everything
Take off the cushions and vacuum the cushions, the deck underneath, the arms, the back, and every seam with an upholstery tool and a crevice tool. Crumbs, pet hair, and skin flakes in the cracks are a big part of a stale smell. Pull out anything that fell down the sides.
2. Deodorize with baking soda
On dry fabric, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the seats, back, and arms. Work it in lightly with a soft brush and leave it for several hours or overnight. Vacuum it up thoroughly. Baking soda neutralizes sour, acidic smells like sweat and spilled milk. Skip this on X-coded fabric.
3. Treat stains at the source
For urine, vomit, sweat marks, or spilled food on W or W/S fabric:
- Blot up anything wet.
- Spray an enzyme cleaner on the spot until it’s as wet as the stain was. Leave it as long as the label says.
- Blot, then rinse with a little cool water and extract with a portable upholstery cleaner or dry towels. Don’t soak the cushion.
On S fabric, use a solvent upholstery cleaner as directed, or call a professional upholstery cleaner. For leather, wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap, then use a leather conditioner. Don’t soak leather.
4. Check inside the cushions
If a smell comes back after cleaning, it’s in the foam. Unzip the cover, if it has a zipper, and smell the foam insert. Urine or vomit that soaked through needs enzyme cleaner on the foam itself. Press it with towels and dry it outside in the shade or in front of a fan; foam can take a day or more to dry. Foam that still smells after two treatments is cheaper to replace than to keep fighting.
5. Wash removable covers, if the label allows
Some cushion covers can be machine-washed in cold water. Many can’t, and they shrink so they no longer fit. Check the label inside the cover. Air-dry washed covers and put them back on while they’re still slightly damp, so they stretch back into shape.
6. Dry it fully
A couch that stays damp after cleaning goes musty within a couple of days. Run fans across it, open windows, and use a dehumidifier or the AC in humid weather. The EPA says to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold.
Keep it fresh
- Put a washable throw where pets or people lie most.
- Vacuum the couch when you vacuum the floor.
- Leave an activated charcoal bag under or beside the couch in a small room.
If the smell is everywhere, not just in the couch, look at carpet, pet beds, and the mattress too.
What to buy
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How this works
Portable carpet and upholstery spot cleaner
BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet Cleaner, 1400B
Rinsing urine, vomit, sweat, and spilled drinks out of carpet, couch cushions, mattresses, and car seats, then pulling the dirty water back out so the smell leaves with it.
Good to know: Check the couch's cleaning code first: only use it on W or W/S fabric. Use cool water on urine, and let enzyme cleaner sit before you extract it.
Check price on Amazon
Enzyme pet odor cleaner
Rocco & Roxie Enzyme Stain & Odor Eliminator, 32 oz
Urine, vomit, and other organic stains in carpet, upholstery, and car seats. The enzymes break down what causes the smell instead of covering it.
Good to know: Test on a hidden spot first and keep pets away until it has dried. It needs time to work, so don't rinse it off early.
Check price on Amazon
Activated charcoal odor bags
Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag, 200 g (4 pack)
Soaking up leftover smell in cars, closets, shoes, and small rooms once the source is gone. Unscented, so they don't mask one smell with another.
Good to know: Charcoal absorbs smell; it won't fix an ongoing source like a damp carpet or a spill under a seat.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
How do I deodorize a couch without washing it?
Vacuum it thoroughly, sprinkle baking soda over the dry fabric, leave it overnight, and vacuum again. Air the room out and put a charcoal bag nearby. This handles stale and sweaty smells, but not urine or vomit in the foam.
Can I steam clean my couch?
Only if the cleaning code is W or W/S. Never steam or wet an S or X fabric. On urine, use cool water and an enzyme cleaner, because heat can set the smell.
Can I put couch cushion covers in the washing machine?
Only if the cover's label says so. Many covers shrink and won't fit back on. If washing is allowed, use cold water, put the zipper closed, and let them air-dry until almost dry before fitting them back on.
How do I get urine out of couch cushions?
Unzip the cover and check the foam. If urine soaked in, treat the foam with plenty of enzyme cleaner, press it with towels, and let it dry in the sun or with a fan. If it still smells after two treatments, replace the foam insert.
Why does my couch smell musty?
It got damp and didn't dry, from a spill, a cleaning, or a humid room. Dry it with fans and lower the room's humidity below 50% to 60%. If you see mold on the frame or foam, the piece may need professional cleaning or replacing.
Does Febreze get rid of couch smell?
It reduces light smells for a while, but it won't remove a stain that's still in the cushion. Clean the source first.