When we welcomed our furry friend, Xena, into our home a few years ago, we had no idea the impact she would have on our furniture. We allowed her to do things that, in hindsight, we regretted, like sleeping on the sofas. Soon enough, a doggy smell began to linger, and try as we might, we couldn’t completely eliminate the hair that accumulated between the cushions. One of our sofas is made of leather, and while we thought it would be resistant to odors, we quickly realized that it too could develop a lingering smell. So, how can you effectively remove that dog smell from your leather couch?
The best way to eliminate dog smell from a leather sofa is to follow these simple steps:
Vacuum & Wipe
Start by thoroughly vacuuming your sofa, making sure to reach all the nooks and crannies, including under the cushions. If there are hard-to-reach areas, use a damp rubber glove to remove any lingering hair. Then, take a clean damp microfiber cloth and wipe down the entire sofa, ensuring there is no friction and the cloth glides smoothly.
Air Your Sofa Outside
If possible, take your sofa outside on a warm, sunny day to let it air out. However, be sure to keep it out of direct sunlight to prevent sun bleaching.
Stuff it with Newspaper
If taking your couch outside is not an option, try using newspaper. Newspaper is excellent at absorbing smells and moisture. Simply pile up newspapers on top of the sofa and stuff them into the corners. Leave them for a day to absorb any lingering odors.
Sprinkle with Baking Soda
Baking soda, or bicarbonate of soda, is a natural odor neutralizer. Sprinkle baking soda all over the couch and let it sit for as long as possible. Then, vacuum it up to remove any remaining odor.
Make a Rub
Create a mixture of 118 ml (1/2 cup) of linseed oil and 118 ml (1/2 cup) of white vinegar. Use a microfiber cloth to rub the solution into the leather, then buff it with a clean, dry cloth. Finish off by applying a leather conditioning cream.
Spray with Vinegar
Vinegar, particularly white distilled vinegar, has natural acidic properties that help neutralize odors and kill bacteria. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and mist it over the sofa.
Wash Your Scatter Cushions
If your couch has smelly scatter cushions, give them a vacuum and launder the covers. If the cushions don’t have zippers, follow our guide on how to wash your cushion without any fuss.
Spray with Febreze
To eliminate odors, you can try using Febreze, which does an excellent job of neutralizing smells instead of simply masking them. Mist the sofa with Febreze after vacuuming and wiping. For a more natural alternative, check out our recipe for a homemade dog bed deodorizer.
Spray with Odoban
If available in your area, Odoban is a fabric disinfectant and freshener that works well at eliminating pet odors. Alternatively, you can use a similar product like Febreze.
Use Lysol Wipes
If you can get your hands on Lysol Wipes or a comparable product like Dettol Wipes, they can effectively help keep dog odors at bay on your leather couch.
Finish with Leather Conditioner
After cleaning and deodorizing your sofa, it’s essential to restore moisture to the leather. Apply a leather cream or conditioner to keep it supple and prevent cracking.
Re-cover Your Sofa
If you’ve tried everything and the dog odor still persists, replacing the couch covers might be your last resort. However, this can be a challenging task, especially with a leather couch.
With these tips, you can effectively remove dog smell from your leather couch and keep it smelling fresh. Remember, regular cleaning and preventive measures are key to maintaining a pleasant scent in your living space.
To learn more about pet care and find additional helpful tips, visit 1mquotes.
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