Prep first
Before you start
- Find the cleaning code on the tag under a cushion or on the frame before you buy or use any product.
- Pick a hidden spot, such as the underside of a cushion or the back of the sofa, and test your soap solution there first.
- Don't remove zippered cushion covers to launder or dry clean them, since the filling needs to stay dry.
- Open a window and set up a fan before you start, so the couch has good airflow when it's time to dry.
A fabric couch soaks up smells from food, sweat, pets and spills, and those odors settle into the cushions, padding and filling where a surface wipe never reaches. Before you start, find the cleaning code on the tag, because it decides which cleaners the fabric can take.
Getting smell out of a couch means vacuuming first, then drawing the odor out with baking soda. Use only a few drops of mild soap in warm water on the fabric, and never let the cover get soaked. Let it dry completely, and you'll know whether the smell is really gone.
Before you start
What couches and upholstered furniture can take
Use with care5
- Water
- Oxygen bleach
- Enzyme cleaners
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
Avoid5
- Hot water
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Scrubbing and abrasives
- Heat (dryer, iron, hot air)
7 items
What you'll need
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- Upholstery brush or vacuum upholstery attachmentLifts dust and debris out of seams and crevices before any product touches the fabric. (opens Amazon)
- Baking sodaAbsorbs odor from the dry fabric when it sits for several hours or overnight. (opens Amazon)
- Mild dish soapMakes a gentle cleaning solution when used in just a few drops in warm water. (opens Amazon)
- Soft clean rags or microfiber towelsLet you blot the fabric without soaking it. (opens Amazon)
- Plain waterUsed for the blotting rinse that lifts away soap residue.
- FanMoves air over the fabric so it dries fully and evenly. (opens Amazon)
- Coffee groundsAn optional dry odor absorber to set beside the upholstery.
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Check the code and vacuum
Find the cleaning code on the tag before you use any product, and skip the wet steps if the tag says solvent only (S) or vacuum only (X). Then vacuum the whole sofa with an upholstery brush, working into seams and between cushions, and keep the suction below full power so the cover isn't damaged.
Tip. Work in sections so you don't miss a crevice, and shake the cushions out outdoors first if you can.
Careful. Water on solvent-only fabric, or solvent on water-based fabric, can leave a permanent mark.
Step 2 of 6
Sprinkle baking soda and wait
Spread baking soda evenly over the dry fabric, covering the seat, back and arms. Leave it for several hours or overnight so it can soak up the odor, then vacuum it up thoroughly with the upholstery brush.
Tip. If you'd rather skip the baking soda, coffee grounds set beside the upholstery also absorb odors.
Step 3 of 6
Blot with a soap solution
Mix a few drops of mild dish soap into warm water. Dampen a clean soft rag or microfiber towel in the solution, wring it out well, and gently blot the fabric, working from the outside of any smelly patch toward the middle.
Tip. Switch to a clean section of the rag as it picks up soil, so you don't spread it back onto the couch.
Careful. Don't saturate the fabric or use hot water: moisture can reach the filling and cause shrinkage or bleeding, and heat can set stains.
Step 4 of 6
Rinse the soap away
Dampen a clean cloth with plain water, wring it out well, and blot the same area to lift any soap left in the fabric. Repeat with a fresh section of cloth until it no longer picks up soap.
Step 5 of 6
Let the couch dry completely
Let the fabric air dry in a room with good airflow, and point a fan at the sofa to carry moisture away. Keep the fan running until the fabric feels dry all the way through, including the seams and the middle of the cushions.
Tip. Open the windows as well, so the damp air leaves the room faster.
Step 6 of 6
Vacuum and air out the room
Once the couch is fully dry, vacuum the fabric again to lift any loose soap film, fibers and dust. Then air out the room for a while so the sofa settles into a neutral smell.
What makes the job easier
Products that help
Look for a mild, water-based upholstery foam or cleaner for water-based fabric, and a water-free dry-cleaning solvent only for solvent-only fabric. Keep plain baking soda and mild dish soap on hand, and skip any product that contains bleach.
Rug Doctor Spot & Upholstery Cleaner
How we picked these: each product is made for this kind of odor or surface, its maker doesn't warn against using it on couches and upholstered furniture, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely before you use it again.
How to tell it's really done →A faint smell often fades as everything dries and airs out; give it a day before a second round.
Find the guide for your stain →Heavy grime or a lingering smell usually needs a second round once it's fully dry.
See what to do for what you're seeing →When to call a professional →How to tell it's done
The fabric should feel dry all the way through and smell neutral up close, with no soap film or water rings. If a spot still feels cool or wet, let it dry longer before you sit on it.
If there is a stain too
Related guides
A smell usually has a stain or a spill behind it. These guides cover the cleanup in detail:
What changes for yours
Adjust for your couch
Code X fabric
Skip all of the wet steps, including the soap and rinse, and skip the baking soda too. Code X means vacuuming or light brushing only, because any foam or liquid cleaner can cause shrinking, fading or pile distortion.
Vacuum and brush the fabric lightly, and air the couch in a room with good airflow. If the smell is still there after it has aired out, call a professional upholstery cleaner rather than trying a product.
Code S fabric
Use only a water-free dry-cleaning solvent, never water, and keep the room well ventilated. Keep the solvent away from open flames, pilot lights and sparks while you work.
For solvent-only fabric, a professional furniture cleaning service is the recommended route, so consider booking one if the smell is strong or the whole sofa is soiled. Skip the soap and rinse steps, since they add water.
Fabric or microfiber sofa
Some guidance suggests steam for fabric or microfiber sofas, but steam isn't recommended for water-based fabric, so skip the steam cleaner. For microfiber, use baking soda or soapy water, because oil-based products are a poor fit for this fabric.
Check the maker's instructions for your sofa before using any cleaner, since the maker's advice can differ from general guidance. Keep the blotting light and work in sections so the fabric dries evenly.
New furniture
New furniture smell comes from glue, lacquer and wooden materials left over from production, and it usually fades fairly quickly. Let the new product rest for 3-4 days in a well-ventilated room before you deep clean, so the smell has time to fade.
If the smell is still there after resting, follow the steps here and let the sofa air out between each one.
Prevention
Keep the smell from coming back
Vacuum the couch once a week with an upholstery attachment, and vacuum often or brush lightly so dust and grime don't build up. Never use a stiff brush for dusting.
Protective covers and regular ventilation reduce odor build-up, so open a window or air the room for 10 to 15 minutes a day. Sofas are large porous surfaces, so smells build up slowly between cleanings, and a deep clean from time to time keeps them from settling in. After any wet cleaning, let the sofa dry completely before you use it again.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies get rid of the smell?
Most odor fixes on a couch come down to dry absorbing and a light, careful clean, so only a few remedies make the cut. Baking soda does the heavy lifting here, while the other common household options are either optional or unsafe for upholstery.
Works2Helps1Skip1Avoid2
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't mask the smell with a scent.
Air freshener and scented sprays cover the odor for a little while, and the smell comes back once the scent fades. Remove the smell itself with the steps above, and use a scent only after the couch is fully clean.
Don't scrub the fabric.
Rubbing pushes soil and soap deeper into the weave and can fray the fibers. Blot from the edge of the spot toward the center, and lift the dirt out rather than working it in.
Don't reach for bleach or laundry detergent.
Chlorine bleach can chemically attack upholstery, and bleach-based wipes are no better. Laundry detergent and other strong household detergents can contain alkalis that set some stains, so keep them off the sofa.
Don't leave the couch damp.
Damp smells come from fabric that didn't dry completely, or from poor ventilation and condensation. If the sofa sits in a closed room after cleaning, open a window and keep the air moving until it's fully dry.
Troubleshooting
If the smell comes back
Pick what you're seeing:
The smell returns within a few days
A smell that comes back usually means the source is still deep in the cushion or the frame, where surface cleaning can't reach. Let the couch dry fully, and if it still smells after a second deep clean, call a professional.
Water rings after drying
Water rings mean the fabric was overwet, which can make the finish migrate and leave a circle. Use less solution on the cloth next time, and work in small sections so each one dries evenly.
A dark spot shows up after cleaning
A specific stain should be treated first with its own method, so do that before running the deep clean again. Then repeat the steps above on the whole sofa so the cleaning stays even.
When to call a professional
Call a professional furniture cleaning service when the whole couch is soiled, or when a stain is large or unusual. Also call one if a pre-test shows the dyes bleed or the fabric shrinks, and look for a certified upholstery cleaner who specializes in furniture.
Questions
Can I use the baking soda method on couch cushions?
Yes, work the same baking soda sprinkle over each cushion, then vacuum both faces and the seams. Give the cushions the same resting time before you vacuum.
Does baking soda stain or damage fabric?
Baking soda is gentle on most upholstery when used dry, but it can harm some fabrics when mixed with vinegar. If you're unsure about your fabric, test a hidden spot first.
What if my couch has no cleaning code?
Don't guess. Pre-test any product on a hidden area first, and if the dyes bleed or the fabric shrinks, stop and consult a professional.
Do pet, urine or vomit smells need a different method?
The deep clean here handles general odor, so pet, urine and vomit smells need their own treatments. For body odors such as sweat or fart smells, start with the dry baking soda step, then the soap step if the code allows water.
Can I use the couch right after the deep clean?
Yes, as soon as it's fully dry. Vacuum the fabric once more first, so no loose soap or residue sits on the surface.
Can I use these steps on a leather sofa?
No, leather is different. Use a duster rather than a vacuum on delicate or imitation leather, and skip the soap and water step.
Methods, care labels and related guides
Good to know
Start from the bigger picture
More odor guides
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.