First steps
Start here
- Air the couch out first; airing can often remove odors.
- Check the cleaning code before any liquid goes near it.
- Brush off visible mildew outdoors, not inside.
- Blot, don't rub, and keep moisture away from the filling.
That thrift-store couch might smell musty, smoky or like mothballs, and the odor is something the fabric has absorbed. Mildew is the one to watch, because it can weaken fibers, and a badly affected cushion may not fully recover. Read the tag before any liquid touches the upholstery, since its code sets which products you can use.
Cleaning a second hand couch or sofa goes smoothly when you test every product on a hidden spot first. Use only the amount of product the tag allows, and keep the cushion from getting soaked. Stop and call a pro if the odor is still there once the upholstery is fully dry.
Before you start
What couch & sofa 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, once the stain is out
7 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Soft, dry brushLoosens visible mildew, used outdoors only.
- Clean, absorbent clothBlots liquid without rubbing it in.
- Table knife or spatulaLifts solid residue off without scraping the fabric.
- VacuumThe only safe tool for X-coded fabric.
- Water-based upholstery shampoo or mild detergentFoam for W or WS fabric only. (opens Amazon)
- Water-free dry-cleaning solventFor S or WS fabric, used in a well-ventilated room. (opens Amazon)
- Fan or cool hair dryerSpeeds drying and helps prevent rings. (opens Amazon)
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7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Air the couch out first
Take the couch somewhere airy, outdoors if you can, and let it air before you do anything else. Airing can often remove the odor, so keep an eye on the smell and move on only once it stops improving.
Step 2 of 7
Check the cleaning code
Find the cleaning code on the tag before any liquid goes near the couch. W means water-based cleaners only, S means water-free solvent only, WS means either, and X means no foam or liquid at all. If you can't find a code, don't guess; vacuum or brush the area lightly instead.
Careful. On X-coded fabric, foam or liquid cleaners can cause shrinking, fading or pile distortion.
Step 3 of 7
Brush off visible mildew outdoors
Take a dry, soft brush outside and brush off any mildew you can see, working gently in one direction. Doing this outdoors keeps the loose mildew out of your home.
Careful. Brushing mildew indoors can spread it into the room.
Step 4 of 7
Lift solids and blot liquids
Lift any solid residue off with the blade of a table knife, without scraping the fabric. Then blot any liquid with a clean, absorbent cloth, pressing lightly so moisture doesn't reach the filling.
Step 5 of 7
Pre-test on a hidden area
Test your cleaner on a hidden spot of the couch before using it on the stain. If the fabric bleeds, shrinks or changes, stop there and don't continue.
Step 6 of 7
Clean by code, outside in
Use the foam of a water-based upholstery shampoo or mild detergent on W fabric, a mild water-free dry-cleaning solvent on S fabric, and either on WS fabric. Work from the outside of the stain toward the center, and move to a clean part of the pad as it picks up the stain. Don't saturate the fabric while you work.
Tip. Keep solvent away from open flames, pilot lights and sparks, and work in a well-ventilated room.
Careful. Water on S-coded fabric, or solvent on W-coded fabric, can leave a permanent mark.
Step 7 of 7
Rinse and dry the area quickly
Clear out every trace of cleaner, since leftover product streaks and attracts dirt. Then speed drying with a fan or a hair dryer set to cool, which helps prevent rings as the area dries.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for secondhand smell on couch & sofa
Look for a water-based upholstery shampoo if the code is W, or a water-free dry-cleaning solvent if it's S, and match the product to the code before you buy.
Rug Doctor Spot & Upholstery Cleaner
BLACK+DECKER spillbuster Cordless Spill + Spot Cleaner
Zep Advanced Oxy Carpet & Upholstery Stain Remover
Utopia Kitchen White Flour Sack Towels
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on couch & sofa, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
A smell that keeps coming back needs the longer treatment.
If the smell lingers →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
Each blot should lift a little color onto your white cloth, and the spot should lighten as you go. A clean cloth with the mark still there means you've reached the limit of the gentle approach, so head to the set-in notes. If the cloth picks up the fabric's own dye, quit at once because the cleaner is too strong for it.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your couch & sofa
W-coded couch
W means water-based cleaners only, so keep to the foam of a water-based upholstery shampoo or mild detergent. Work it in from the outside of the spot toward the center, and don't saturate the fabric.
When the area is clean, clear out every trace of cleaner and dry it quickly with a fan or a cool hair dryer. That keeps leftover residue from showing up as a ring.
S-coded couch
S means water-free solvent only, so keep water away from this fabric entirely. Test the solvent on a hidden area first, then use a mild water-free dry-cleaning solvent in a well-ventilated room, away from any open flame, pilot light or sparks.
Let the area dry fully before deciding whether it needs another pass. If the spot doesn't respond, call a professional upholstery cleaner.
WS-coded couch
WS fabric accepts either a water-based foam or a water-free solvent, so pick the one your pre-test showed was safer. Use one of them on a given spot rather than both, and keep the work light.
The drying steps stay the same: clear out the cleaner completely, then use a fan or cool hair dryer so the area dries without a ring.
X-coded couch
X means no foam or liquid cleaner at all, because it can cause shrinking, fading or pile distortion. Vacuum the area or brush it lightly, and don't add any liquid to try to lift the odor.
If the smell or mildew stays after that, stop and call a professional upholstery cleaner instead of trying a stronger product.
Couch with a smoke smell
Tobacco smoke clings to upholstery and usually needs airing and cleaning by code before anything else. Keep the couch in fresh air while you work, and ventilate the room if you use any solvent.
For smoke odor that stays after cleaning, ask a dry cleaner about ozone deodorizing rather than adding stronger products at home.
If the smell lingers
If the mildew or smell is old and has soaked deep into the cushions, one pass won't be enough. Work through the same steps again on the affected area, and let it dry fully between passes so you can judge the result.
A spot that has dried before you got to it is harder, and the mark can stay even after the smell fades. Mildew can leave a shadow in the fabric where it grew, and badly mildewed fabric may be beyond repair.
If the smell is still there after cleaning and drying, ask a dry cleaner about ozone deodorizing for smoke odor. If that doesn't work either, a professional upholstery cleaner is the realistic next step, and some odor may never fully leave.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on secondhand smell on couch & sofa?
Plenty of home remedies get passed around for musty and smoky couches. Most of them don't belong on upholstery, so only the cleaners the fabric can take are worth trying.
Skip6
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't scrub the mildew
Mildew can weaken the fibers, and scrubbing adds to that damage. Brush off the loose mildew outside, then blot anything left with a clean cloth.
Don't use chlorine bleach on the couch
Chlorine bleach isn't a safe choice for upholstery, because it can discolor the fabric and that change can't be reversed. Stick to the cleaner your code allows, and check the code before reaching for anything stronger.
Don't pull the cushion covers off to wash
Covers that come off and get laundered can shrink or fade, and they may end up mismatched with the rest of the couch. Clean the mark where it sits, and keep the cover on the frame.
Don't use acetone on acetate fabric
Acetone and amyl acetate dissolve plastics, so they're a bad match for acetate or triacetate upholstery. Check the fabric content on the tag before you reach for any solvent.
Don't use solvents near a flame
Dry-cleaning solvents are flammable, so keep them away from open flames, pilot lights and sparks. Keep the room ventilated while you work and until the spot is dry.
When to call a professional
A pro is the right call when the tag says X or S, or when a pre-test shows dye bleeding or fabric shrinking. Big or unusual stains and a piece that's soiled all over also belong with them, so mention where it came from and what you've already tried on it.
Questions
Can a musty secondhand couch be fixed?
Often, yes, if the mildew is light and you catch it early. Air it out, brush off visible mildew outdoors, and clean by the code, because badly mildewed fabric can be damaged beyond repair.
What causes a secondhand couch to smell bad?
Usually it's mildew from damp storage, tobacco or other smoke, or mothballs used in storage. Mildew is the hardest of the three because it can damage the fibers.
Can I use vinegar to get the smell out?
No, vinegar isn't the best choice on a couch, since the cleaning code points you to cleaners made for the fabric. Its only role is a few drops in a wet spotter, so skip it here.
Will smoke smell ever come out of a couch?
Sometimes, but it usually takes airing and proper cleaning first. For smoke odor that stays, ask a dry cleaner about ozone deodorizing.
Do I need a professional for a mothball smell?
Start with airing and cleaning by the code, since those are the first tries. If the odor is still there afterward, call a professional upholstery cleaner.
My couch has no cleaning tag. What now?
Without a tag, guessing is a gamble, since a mismatched product can permanently damage upholstery. Dab up what you can and leave the spot alone until you know the fabric. Ask a professional to identify it before you pick a cleaner.
Is a steam cleaner ever a good idea on a couch stain?
Probably not for the stain itself. Heat can fix the mark in place, and steam is off the table for W or WS fabrics. Stick with the cool, light methods in the steps, and bring in a pro if you want the whole piece deep cleaned.
Why did a ring show up after cleaning?
A ring tends to form when a spot gets too much liquid or stays damp too long. Wet the whole panel lightly so there's no hard boundary, then speed the drying with a fan or cool hair dryer. Use less liquid the next time you clean.
Secondhand Smell on other materials
Other stains on couch & sofa
Start from the bigger picture
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.