Have you ever got into your living room, sat on your couch, and realized that there is an unpleasant smell in the air? If you ever had to sit in a room where someone had body odour and the smell stuck to the sofa, then you can relate. Sofas are no stranger to holding smells either from the sweat that accumulates from a long day of lounging or daily activities such as simple spillage of food or drink. But don’t worry! With the help of some tips, you can easily bring back the new smell to the piece of furniture you use most often. Now, let’s look at the best way to get rid of body odour out of a sofa and make it fresh again.
Why Does Body Odour Linger in Sofas?
So why does body odor appear to become trapped in furniture? All that matters is how the fabric can soak up the sweat, oils, and bacteria. A paper by the Journal of Applied Microbiology (2008) established that sweat is able to encourage bacterial growth on fabric, particularly the Staphylococcus epidermidis. These bacteria metabolise sweat compounds and produce VOCs that give off unpleasant odors.
Sofas, as with any other fabric, retain moisture, bacteria, and oils and hence become a rich source of VOCs. That is why sofa odors seem so difficult to eradicate – but the great news is that you can slow down the development of bacteria and eliminate the stench by utilizing the right approaches.
DIY Solutions: Guide to Get Rid of Body Odour from Furniture
If you feel like you are ready to work some magic on your own, there are several ways to handle body odour on furniture that don’t involve chemical treatments or calling in the pros. Here are some of the simplest and cheapest methods for using natural techniques to give new life to a sofa.
- Baking Soda for Upholstery
It’s not just for keeping your fridge fresh; baking soda is a great weapon to have when you want to freshen up a sofa. It is because it is able to hold smell; a publication in the Journal of Textile Science & Engineering in 2014 looked at how natural materials like baking soda can capture scent-carrying particles. The effectiveness of the product is based on its ability to pull in moisture and odor particles on the fabric, making it look and smell new.
How to Use It: Dust a thick layer of baking soda on the surface of your couch, especially the parts that are usually touched often. For the best results, allow it to stand for a few hours or even overnight so that it can soak up the smell. The following day, all you will have to do is vacuum the baking soda, and the smell will be gone.
2. Vinegar
There are several recommendations for getting rid of smells on the sofa, and vinegar is an essential tool in this fight. It has properties that can neutralize the bacteria that cause the bad smell on the body. Also, it is a very effective and safe method of cleaning the upholstery.
How to Use It: Fill a bottle with half water and half white distilled vinegar. Give the sofa a light spray (do not drown it!), especially the parts that stink. Let it air dry, and you will be done with a clean sofa. It will have a vinegar smell when you apply it, but the smell will disappear when it dries, and the only smell left will be clean.
3. Vodka
You would not believe it, but vodka for deodorizing furniture has become a real discovery for many. The alcohol content in vodka acts as an antiseptic and eliminates the bacteria on your body that cause a bad smell on the sofa.
How to Use It: Spray the material with vodka in a spray bottle. You want it to be a little bit wet, not soaked through. In this way, let it air dry, and in case of strong smells, you may have to do it a couple of times.
4. DIY Activated Charcoal
Another product that can be used to remove fabric odours is activated charcoal. An article from Environmental Science and Technology shows how activated charcoal can be used to eliminate lingering odours on furniture fabrics. It operates on the principle of capturing all the VOCs that cause those undesirable odd smells. Activated charcoal is often used in air fresheners, but it is also used for cleaning furniture.
How to Use It: Consider placing activated charcoal bags or a tray close to your sofa. You should leave it to work for several hours or even leave it overnight to neutralize the odors of the room. It operates in the background without any input from you and can be used for several months.
5. Deodorizing Sprays
Often, for an immediate solution, a good deodorizing spray comes in handy to help eliminate the smells. These are sprays that work to eliminate the smell rather than just hide it. Regardless of whether you buy the spray or make it at home, deodorizing sprays is a fast method of rejuvenating your couch.
How to Use It: If you’re choosing to make one at home, you will need one tablespoon of baking soda, one cup of water, and a few drops of your favourite oil. Then spray it on your sofa and let it dry. Just in case you are using the bought form of air fresheners, this is simply a matter of following the directions on the bottle and then enjoying the fresh smell.
6. Feline Odour Neutralizer
If the smell of your sofa is particularly strong, especially a smell related to your feline friend, you may have to use a feline odor eliminator. The enzyme cleaner is mostly recommended for pet stains, but it can do wonders for body odor as well. The enzymes in the formula work by breaking down reparable matter such as sweat, oils, and other excretions, hence eradicating odor at its source.
How to Use It: Spray some neutralizer on the stained parts, leave them to dry for a few minutes, and then wipe them off with a clean cloth. An enzyme cleaner is great for even the stinkiest of smells.
Steam Cleaning
Most of the time, do-it-yourself methods come in handy, but sometimes, a thorough cleaning is required. Steam cleaning for furniture cannot only eliminate the smell but also eliminate stains and bacteria that can be hiding in your furniture.
Steam cleaning releases hot water and steam that can easily pass through the material and get rid of bacteria and even the toughest odours. The Journal of Applied Microbiology indicates that the number of bacteria in the fabric can greatly be reasoned with to reduce odour. If you do not own a machine for steam cleaning at home, many cleaning companies, are able to provide this service; this will come in handy when it comes to keeping your house fresh.
When to Call in the Pros: Upholstery Cleaning Canberra
Sadly, there are times when, no matter how hard we try to remove the smell, it simply will not go away. If your sofa still smells bad or you have some stains that are not easy to remove, it is high time to think of Professional cleaning services. These experts have a way of handling the tools, the knowledge, and cleaning products to address the most difficult smells and kinds of fabrics. It is mainly because the professionals use more powerful equipment and materials that are specifically designed for steam cleaning and enzyme treatments.
You can contact us for your upholstery cleaning if you reside in Canberra, Australia.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to get body odour out of a sofa, it comes down to choosing the most appropriate technique. Whether you use baking soda on the furniture, try vodka deodorizing, or turn to professional upholstery cleaning – your sofa will smell nice again. With proper care and a thorough cleaning every once in a while, your furniture will look and smell fresh for a long time.