Prep first
Before you start
- Read the cleaning code on the tag before buying or applying anything.
- Pre-test any product on a hidden spot and wait for it to dry.
- Vacuum loose hair and dander before any liquid touches the fabric.
- If a specific stain is also on the couch, treat it first with its own method, then start here.
Pet odor settles into the fabric and padding where the pet sleeps and sits, so wiping the surface rarely reaches it. Because the fabric can't take much water or heat, the work is about being thorough and light-handed.
For a couch that smells like a dog, start by reading the cleaning code on the tag before anything wet touches the fabric. Work a small area at a time with light cleaner, then treat the pet spots with an enzyme cleaner and let everything dry fully. The same approach suits cat odor as well, with extra care around older accidents.
Before you start
What couches, chairs and bedding 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)
8 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Vacuum with an upholstery attachmentLifts hair and dirt from cushions, seams and crevices without a stiff brush. (opens Amazon)
- Water-based shampoo or foam upholstery cleanerFor W-coded or WS-coded fabric, where W means water-based cleaners only. (opens Amazon)
- Water-free dry-cleaning solventFor S-coded or WS-coded fabric. Never use it on W-coded fabric. (opens Amazon)
- Enzyme cleaner made for pet urineTargets the urine residue that cleaning alone can leave behind. (opens Amazon)
- Baking sodaAbsorbs odor from dry upholstery when left several hours or overnight. (opens Amazon)
- Clean white cloths or paper towelsLet you blot without rubbing and see when dirt lifts from the fabric. (opens Amazon)
- FanMoves air across the fabric so it dries without heat. (opens Amazon)
- Black-light bulb and chalkShows old urine spots, which glow, so you can outline them.
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7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Check the cleaning code
Look for the cleaning code on the tag under a cushion or on the frame. W means water-based shampoo or foam only, S means water-free dry-cleaning solvent only, WS or SW means either one without saturating, and X means vacuum or light brushing only.
If there is no code, pre-test any product on a hidden area first, and if the dyes bleed or the fabric shrinks, call a professional.
Step 2 of 7
Vacuum the whole piece
Use an upholstery attachment to go over every cushion, the seams, the crevices and the frame. Pull the cushions out and shake them outdoors first if the pet has left hair underneath.
Give the pet's favorite spot a second pass, since bacteria build up where pets sleep.
Step 3 of 7
Clean the fabric by its code
For W or WS, work a water-based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner into one small section with a cloth, keeping it barely damp. For S, use a water-free dry-cleaning solvent instead, with good ventilation and no flame or sparks nearby.
Work from the edges toward the center, blot rather than rub, and move on once that section looks clean. If the code is X, skip the liquid steps and go straight to the baking soda.
Tip. Use a white cloth so you can see when dirt and odor lift from the fabric.
Step 4 of 7
Rinse and blot the area
For W or WS, rinse the cleaned section with a cloth dampened in clean, cool water, wringing it nearly dry before wiping. Use just enough water to lift the cleaner, then blot the area dry with a clean cloth.
Skip this rinse on S-coded fabric.
Tip. Press a dry towel on the area to draw out the last moisture.
Step 5 of 7
Treat the pet spots with enzyme cleaner
Once the area is clean, test a small hidden spot for staining. Then apply a high-quality enzyme cleaner to the pet spots, dampening them lightly without soaking.
Let it sit 10 minutes, or overnight for older spots, then blot up any excess with a clean cloth.
Tip. Scan the pet spots with a black light first, since urine glows even when it is old.
Careful. Enzyme cleaners can cause mild stomach upset, so keep the pet off until the spot dries.
Step 6 of 7
Dry the piece with air moving
Set a fan on the piece and open a window so air moves across the fabric. Keep it running until the whole piece is dry, including the underside of the cushions, and use a fan rather than heat.
Step 7 of 7
Deodorize with baking soda
Sprinkle baking soda lightly over the dry upholstery, paying extra attention to the pet's favorite spots. Leave it for several hours or overnight, then vacuum it up thoroughly with an upholstery attachment.
As it sits, the baking soda absorbs odor from the fibers, so the final vacuum is what clears it away.
Tip. Vacuum the seams last, since baking soda collects there.
Careful. Never mix baking soda with bleach.
What makes the job easier
Products that help
Use a water-based foam upholstery cleaner for W-coded fabric and a water-free dry-cleaning solvent for S-coded fabric, and pick an enzyme cleaner made for pet urine.
Nature’s Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover, Enzymatic Cleaner, 32 oz
Nature’s Miracle Advanced Dog Stain & Odor Eliminator, Severe Mess
Skout's Honor Odor Eliminator
BISSELL Little Green Pet Deluxe Portable Carpet Cleaner, 3353
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, chairs and bedding, 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 piece is clean when the fabric smells neutral up close and the pet spots show no glow under a black light. It's fully dry when the cushions feel dry all the way through and no damp smell comes back. If either isn't true, run the fan again and recheck the spots before the pet sits 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 furniture
Microfiber sofa
Microfiber doesn't take oil-based products well, so skip them and use baking soda or a lightly soapy cloth, following the code's method. Keep the cloth damp rather than wet, the same as the rest of the piece.
Skip steam even though some microfiber sofas allow it, because heat is not safe for this item.
Leather
Leather needs a gentler touch than fabric, so vacuum it with a soft attachment or use a duster on delicate leather. Use only a cleaner made for leather.
If you don't know what type of leather it is, skip the water and call a professional before trying anything else.
Washable blankets and throws
Check the care label first, and if there isn't one, spot clean the stains with the steps above instead. Otherwise, add about a pound of baking soda to the regular detergent, wash as usual, and air dry if you can.
If you can still smell the pet, wash again with an enzyme cleaner, and skip fabric softener because it traps odor. Keep the washed item away from the pet until it's dry.
Mattresses and pet beds
Mattresses can't be soaked, so keep every product barely damp and blot it up quickly. Sprinkle baking soda across the sleeping side, leave it 2-3 hours, then vacuum it.
Wash pet beds and blankets every 1 to 2 weeks. If the smell stays after the baking soda, call a professional before using more product.
Prevention
Keep the smell from coming back
Vacuum the couch once a week with an upholstery attachment, and daily if your pet sheds a lot. Never use a stiff brush for dusting, and vacuum often to keep dust and grime from building up.
If the smell returns in one spot, repeat the baking soda sprinkle there. Wash pet beds and blankets every 1 to 2 weeks, and use unscented odor-neutralizing sprays on pet areas.
If your pet has repeated accidents, have a vet check for medical causes before you clean again.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies get rid of the smell?
Most home remedies don't suit upholstery, so only one is worth reaching for. Baking soda is the one that helps here, and the rest either can't go on the fabric or add nothing for pet odor.
Works1Skip2Avoid3
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't soak the cushions
Water and detergent that reach the filling can cause shrinkage and color bleeding. Keep every product barely damp, and blot up any pooling right away.
Don't use hot water on a spill
Hot water can set the stain in place. Blot with a cloth dampened in cool or lukewarm water instead.
Don't use dishwasher or laundry detergent
Automatic dishwasher detergent, heavy-duty household detergent and laundry detergent may contain alkalis that set some stains. Use the cleaner that matches your code instead.
Don't cover the smell with strong products
Strong chemical smells may encourage the pet to mark the spot again. Stick to the enzyme cleaner for pet spots and let the piece air out fully.
Don't mix up the cleaning code
Water on S-coded fabric and solvent on W-coded fabric can damage it. Read the tag before any product touches the couch.
Don't remove the cushion covers
Zippered covers aren't meant to be removed to launder or dry clean, so clean them in place. Use the same light touch on the covers as on the rest of the piece.
Troubleshooting
If the smell comes back
Pick what you're seeing:
The smell returns within a few days
The odor is still in the fabric, so check the spots by nose and with a black light. Clean them again with enzyme cleaner, keeping the fabric barely damp, and let it dry fully.
A stain is still visible after drying
Treat that stain first with its own method, and test a hidden spot before you use it. Then go back over the area with the enzyme step once it has dried.
The fabric has changed color or shrunk
Stop using any product on that area and let it air out with a fan. Fabric that shrinks, or dyes that bleed in a pre-test, should go to a professional upholstery cleaner.
When to call a professional
Call a professional furniture cleaner if the whole piece is soiled, if urine has soaked into the padding, or if a pre-test shows bleeding dyes or shrinkage. S-coded fabric is safest in a professional's hands, and so are large or unusual stains.
Questions
How do I get dog gland smell out of furniture?
The steps above clean the fabric and pet spots, but they don't target anal gland odor. If the smell is strong and seems to come from the dog, have a vet check it, since cleaning won't fix a medical problem.
How do I get cat smell out of a couch?
The same steps apply, with extra attention to old spots. Check the couch with a black light and treat each spot, using an enzyme cleaner made for cat urine on the couch.
Can I use the same cleaner on the blankets and the couch?
Not always. Blankets follow their care label, while the couch follows its cleaning code, so check each one before you clean.
Can I cover the couch to keep the pet off it?
Yes. A washable cover over the spot can help keep the pet from soiling it again.
What if the odor has soaked into the padding?
Urine that has soaked deep into the padding may mean that part needs replacing. A professional upholstery cleaner can check how far it went before you decide.
Why shouldn't I steam clean pet urine?
Steam heat can set both the stain and the odor into the fibers, which makes the spot harder to fix. Stick to the cool-water rinse and the enzyme cleaner instead.
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.