Odours in upholstery

How to get odours out of a sofa: pets, damp and first steps

Updated 14/10/2026 · Reviewed by Equipo SofaSpa

A persistent smell in a sofa is almost never on the surface: it's in the padding, where the liquid went. That's why air fresheners don't work and why most home remedies only mask it. This guide explains where each odour comes from, what you can do without damaging the fabric and when the problem can no longer be solved from the outside.

Pet urine: time works against you

Fresh urine is mostly water; as it dries, the compounds left in the padding are what smell and what smell again with humidity in the air.

Absorb as much as you can with paper or a dry cloth, pressing. Change the paper until it comes away dry.
If the label allows water (W or WS), dampen a cloth with cold water and press to dilute, repeating with a clean cloth. Little water: you don't want to push the urine further in.
Press dry and ventilate the room well. No heat or steam: they set the odour.
If the smell comes back after a few days, the liquid reached the padding. A treatment from the outside won't reach it; professional extraction is needed and, sometimes, treating or replacing the padding.

Avoid perfuming the area, applying ammonia (it smells similar to urine and can encourage the pet to repeat) or mixing products.

Dog or general-use smell

Body oils and hair built up on contact areas: seats, arms, the dog's favourite spot.

Vacuum thoroughly with the upholstery tool, including seams and under the cushions.
Wash removable covers according to their label.
Air the sofa with the cushions standing upright for a few hours.
If the smell persists after vacuuming and airing, the grease is in the fibre: a case for professional extraction, not air freshener.

Musty smell

Appears after a clean with too much water, a leak or a sofa stored without ventilation.

Take the cushions out and stand them upright in a ventilated room; avoid strong direct sun on coloured fabrics.
Don't cover the sofa while it smells musty.
If you see dark spots (mould) or the smell doesn't go in a few days with ventilation, ask for an assessment: the padding may be affected.

What not to do with any odour

Steam or hairdryer: they set compounds and can distort the fabric.
Handfuls of bicarbonate without vacuuming thoroughly afterwards: leaves white residue in seams and pile.
Bleach: discolours and doesn't reach the padding.
Mixing products: never.

Frequently asked questions

Does vinegar remove the urine smell from a sofa?

It may neutralise part of the odour on the surface, but it doesn't reach the padding and on fabrics such as linen, S-code microfibre or velvet it can leave a ring or alter the colour. We don't recommend it without knowing the fabric.

Why does the smell come back when it's humid?

Because the compounds that dried in the padding are reactivated by ambient humidity. It's the sign that the problem is inside, not on the surface.

Does a professional clean remove the odour?

In many cases extraction reaches the padding and reduces it a great deal; in old or repeated cases the padding may need treating or replacing. We assess beforehand and don't promise what we can't guarantee.

Notes

Guide reviewed by the SofaSpa team on 14/10/2026 with a conservative approach: not damaging the fabric comes first.
We make no claims about eliminating bacteria or health effects.