Why Does My Couch Have a Weird Smell?

The weird smell could be because of the dirt, dust, mould growth, pee (from a child or pet) or spill. This is common in fabric couches because the liquid can penetrate or infiltrate the fabric. Through the weeks or months, the fabric can become a favourable environment for microorganisms to grow and thrive. In addition to the accumulated dirt and dust, this also results in a noticeably unpleasant smell that you’ll want to get rid of as quickly as possible.

How to get rid of the weird smell

To deal with the smelly couch, many have tried sprinkling the couch with baking soda. This substance reacts with both acidic and alkaline substances that might be causing the unpleasant odour. The mild chemical reaction often results in the neutralisation of those substances (common outcome is the formation of minute amounts of salt and water which are both odourless). It might require at least an hour or overnight before the neutralisation fully takes effect.

However, it may not be enough to neutralise the odours or it may not be effective at all. Even if baking soda is applied as a liquid spray and with a couple of drops of scented oil, the unpleasant smell might still linger. This could mean that the fabric itself requires professional cleaning or other chemicals to remove the substances or organisms that are causing the odour.

There are chemicals or liquid products specifically designed for odour removal and cleaning of couches. Beware though because these chemicals might contain formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (and then might cause fainting or dizziness). Worse, there also have been studies that link these chemicals with damage to the brain and nervous system. That’s why when using chemical products for cleaning and odour removal, it’s important that the area is well ventilated (open the windows and turn on the fan). 

You can also hire a professional to get rid of the odour completely. This approach will effectively remove odour-causing particles and substances such as body oils from humans and pets as well as grease and tough stains. The result will be a fresh-smelling couch that you’ll love to use (and give you peace of mind because most of the allergens were also removed).

If you require a professional couch cleaning service, you can contact us today. We regularly clean different fabrics, even delicate ones such as linen, velvet and suede. Residential and commercial customers choose us because of our 50+ years of history and our detailed and safe approach in cleaning couches (with free antimicrobial treatment that helps protect against viruses, bacteria, mould and fungi).