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How To Get Dog Odors Out of a Couch: 12 Practical Options

golden retreiver on the couch

If you are a dog owner, you’ll know why dogs are often referred to as “man’s best friend.” They are loyal, intelligent, and fun to be around. Your dog will always be excited to see you and love you unconditionally. There are so many beautiful things about them, but of course, there are some downsides to owning a dog, too.

One of the most significant issues can be the dog odors that can stay everywhere in your house, especially on your couch. Since this is a common problem, we wanted to provide you with some tips on how to get these pet odors out of your couch.

Read on below to find some practical solutions for this common issue.

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The 12 Options to Get Dog Odors Out of a Couch

1. Baking Soda

The first option to try is baking soda. It’s a great natural choice that should help you remove and absorb any unpleasant smells on your couch. All that you need to do is sprinkle baking soda on the couch and leave it overnight. In the morning, thoroughly vacuum your couch. The odors should be decreased or even completely removed. You can repeat this process a couple of times if the smell is stubborn.

Pros
  • Natural product
  • Absorbs unpleasant odors
Cons
  • You might need to repeat the process
baking soda paste
Image By: Monfocus, Pixabay

2. Wash as many couch elements as possible

Another option is to wash as many couch elements as possible. If the couch covers are removable, take them off and put them in the washer. You can also wash any blankets or pillows that are on the couch. When washing, add a cup of vinegar to the wash cycle as vinegar is a natural odor neutralizer. Washing the couch elements, blankets, and pillows should become routine maintenance and you should try to repeat it every couple of months so that the odor doesn’t come back.

Pros
  • Easy process
  • It will kill bacteria and remove the smell
Cons
  • Not ideal if you cannot remove couch covers

3. Use a fabric freshener

You could also use a fabric freshener to eliminate the smell, and there are fabric fresheners on the market made especially to get rid of pet smells. This option is a limited solution as it will only get rid of the scent temporarily in most cases. It’s not a permanent resolution, so if you’re looking for something that will get pet odors out of a couch for good, this is not the best option.

Pros
  • Quickly removes odors
Cons
  • Not a permanent solution

4.  Vacuum the couch frequently

You should try vacuuming your couch frequently to eliminate smells and by vacuuming daily, there will be no dog hair and debris on the couch—which are usually the cause of the odors. You should have a vacuum with powerful suction for the best effect. There are vacuums specially designed for this purpose, so you might consider investing in one of them.

Pros
  • Prevents odors
Cons
  • Expensive investment
border collie on couch with dog hair
Image Credit: Julia Zavalishina, Shutterstock

5. Odor eliminator

Try an odor eliminator to get pet odors out of a couch. Odor eliminators are excellent products specifically designed to get rid of pet smells. There are types of odor eliminators that you can use both on hard surfaces and furniture that work by breaking the odor particles down instead of covering them up.

Pros
  • Breaks down the odor particles
  • Specifically designed to get rid of pet smells
Cons
  • None

Hepper-Advanced-Bio-Enzyme-Pet-Stain-Odor-Eliminator-Spray

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6. Upholstery cleaning machine

If the bad pet odor is persistent, you can try an upholstery cleaning machine. These machines have spray and suction functions that will help you get rid of the smell from the couch. They are highly efficient and easy to use, which is why pet lovers love this option.

Pros
  • Sanitizes the area
  • Thorough clean
Cons
  • You’ll need to rent/buy a machine

7. Steam clean

If you’re looking for a quick way to get pet odors out of a couch, clean your furniture with steam. It will kill bacteria on the couch and dissolve the smell particles. This practical option will help you quickly get to the bottom of the issue and resolve it efficiently, although you’ll again need to buy or rent a machine.

Pros
  • Works quickly
  • It kills bacteria
Cons
  • You’ll need to rent/buy a machine
black and red canister vacuum
Image Credit: Pixabay, Pexels

8. Vinegar

When it comes to efficiency, vinegar is similar to baking soda. It absorbs the smell particles and neutralizes them. It’s best to make a vinegar spray, which is a mixture of vinegar, water, and dish soap. You will need:

  • 1 cup of water
  • ½ cups of vinegar
  • ½ tablespoon of mild dish soap

Once you’ve made the mix, spray it on the couch, lightly scrub after a couple of minutes, and then rinse. For even better results, mix vinegar with baking soda.


9. Sun

Fresh air and sun are amazing for eliminating odors. UV rays help kill bacteria naturally and fresh air will help dry out your couch and remove odors.

Pros
  • Free
  • UV kills bacteria
Cons
  • May not remove odors

10. Prevention

A good solution to resolving pet odor problems is for the smell not to occur in the first place. Keep your dogs clean and brushed, and it might be best to use a cover on your sofa so that the dog is not in direct contact with your couch.

Pros
  • Will help prevent odors
Cons
  • Sometimes odors can still happen
small white dog in dog bed on floor
Image Credit: Gladskikh Tatiana, Shutterstock

11.  Have it professionally cleaned

If none of the previous options weren’t for you, simply have the couch professionally cleaned. Professionals know how to get pet odors out of a couch so that the scent will be gone entirely after professional cleaning. This will save you time, and you can relax while they get the job done.

Pros
  • Highly effective
Cons
  • Professional sofa cleaning can be pricey

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As you can see, there are various ways to get pet odors out of a couch. If you’re having dog odor issues on your couch, try one of the methods above. Without a doubt, at least one of them should help keep your sofa dog odor-free.


Featured Image Credit: LightField Studios, Shutterstock

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