How To Get Musty Smell Out Of Couch? [In 4 Easy Steps]

I can feel that cozy comfort a favorite couch provides when you sink into it. It not just remains a piece of furniture you purchased recently; it becomes a place where you sit with your family, relax after a tiring day at work, and entertain guests. 

However, an unpleasant musty smell can sometimes mutate that beatific experience into a less-than-desirable one. A musty smell is typically caused by moisture or other accumulated substances if you live in a humid environment with no free air passage. 

Well, whatever the reason is, I’ll teach you how to get musty smell out of couch, introduce different methods to do so, and a lot of essential tips and tricks to make your couch smell fresh again. Be with me to restore your couch’s genuine charm.

Key Takeaways

• Check the upholstery tag for cleaning code (W or S-W for water-based methods, S for solvent-based methods).
• Dry the couch in sunlight to eliminate moisture and inhibit mold and mildew growth.
• Sprinkle baking soda on the couch to absorb odor, leave overnight, and then vacuum.
• If the odor persists, spray a mixture of white distilled vinegar and water on the couch and allow it to dry.

What Tools and Materials You’ll Need?

A few days ago, I explained many effective ways to clean a couch that smells—it is a general guide. Although you can learn many things from this guide, musty smell has different reasons behind it; therefore, it needs different solutions. 

Fortunately, you won’t have to use Bissell carpet cleaner on your couch or opt for specifically designed cleaning solvents. Instead, you only need the following four to five things to work out the solution and remove the unpleasing odor. 

• A vacuum cleaner
• A box of baking soda
• Some white distilled vinegar
• A spray bottle

How To Get Musty Smell Out Of Couch?

NOTE: Don’t forget to see the upholstery tag given on the couch and check the given code on it. Only use the water-based cleaning solution I’ll teach below if your couch has a “W” (water-based) or “S-W” code (water- and/or solvent-based). 

However, if there is an “S” code on the tag, you can only use the solvent-based methods—you can also opt for solvent-based methods for the “S-W” code as well. Keep these things in your mind and jump into getting rid of the musty smell. 

1. Dry Your Couch In Sunlight If Upholstery Is Wet.

A couch with wet upholstery needs your immediate attention. Address the moisture issue promptly to avoid the blooming of musty odors. I suggest you dry your couch in direct sunlight to eliminate moisture effectively.

• Remove all the seat and back cushions from the couch. 
• Take the couch outside on a sunny afternoon and place it in an area where it is directly exposed to sunlight. 
• Keep your in the sunlight for a few hours. 
• Ensure all sides of the upholstery are exposed to the sun’s rays. 

The sunlight will naturally dry out the upholstery and inhibit mold and mildew growth (culprits of musty smells). The warmth and UV radiation from the sunlight will dry out the damp areas and eliminate moisture and odor.

2. Sprinkle a Light Amount of Baking Soda and Leave It.

Once you have ensured that your couch is dried, the next step is to use baking soda on the couch to tackle the musty odor. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer. It can absorb the odor quickly and even kill fleas on the couch. 

• Take a small amount of baking soda. 
• Sprinkle it evenly on the whole couch’s surface, making a thin layer. 
• Allow the baking soda to be there on the couch overnight. 

3. Vacuum The Baking Soda Via Upholstery Attachment.

Once the baking soda has got enough time to show its magic, it’s time to vacuum it with the help of an upholstery attachment. 

1. Attach the upholstery attachment to the vacuum.
2. Set the vacuum at high suction power and start picking up the baking soda.
3. Get into all the nooks and crannies of your couch with the crevice tool.

Once vacuumed, see the results of your effort. Ensure you have vacuumed and drawn up all the baking soda. Vacuum again if any residue is present. 

4. Spray White Distilled Vinegar On The Entire Sofa.

I don’t know about you, but in my case, baking soda wasn’t enough—my nostrils were still able to detect light, musty smell from the couch. So, I tried white distilled vinegar, and it worked. If your couch is still smelling, use white distilled vinegar. 

[su_note note_color=”#f8d3d2″]NOTE: Don’t forget to test the white vinegar on a hidden area like the lower back corner. Apply the solution and see its effects. If it shows no discoloration and/or harm, go for it.[/su_note]

• Mix one cup of water with one cup of white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle. 
• Shake the spray bottle well.
• Spray the solution on the entire sofa, lightly misting it the whole. 
• Allow the vinegar to dry on the couch for about 10 minutes.

Like baking soda, white vinegar is another natural deodorizer. Leaving it for the time I have recommended to you will kill the germs and evaporate the odor. 

How To Clean The Cushion Covers?

For fixing non-removable couch cushions, the process is the same as we have discussed earlier to remove the musty smell. Sprinkle the baking soda and vacuum it. And spray white distilled vinegar and allow it to evaporate the odor. 

But what about the couch cushions with removable covers? If the cushion covers are removable and washable, launder them in hot water with a mild detergent to remove any dirt, sweat, or pet dander so the musty smell.

Alternative Ways To Remove Musty Smell From a Couch

Steam Cleaning Is An Ideal Solution

Steam cleaning is a great solution to eliminate strong pet odors from your couch. Using a steam cleaner with shampoo specifically designed for upholstery can effectively deodorize your fabric. It’s a thorough and effective method.

Spray An Odor Eliminator

Using an odor eliminator is another effective way to eliminate musty smells from your furniture. Look for a product that combines odor elimination and air freshening properties. 

Further, consider using a water-repellent spray continuously on your upholstery to tackle odors that may be harder for your nose to detect.

Give the Couch a Gentle Wash With a Cloth

Grab a damp cloth and gently scrub the couch to combat any funky odors trapped in the fabric. Use warm water for this task, and avoid applying too much pressure. Avoid saturating the couch with water to prevent the development of a moldy smell.

How To Never Let Musty Smell Coming Back?

Up to this point, I’m sure you would have eliminated the unpleasant, musty odor from your couch. However, a few things might be the same—you will still be in the same environment, and if it’s humid, chances are the musty smell will come back. 

However, if you’re reading this guide, I won’t like to see you face this issue again. The following are my favorite tips and tricks to help you take care of your couch and never let the musty smell return. 

Ensure Proper Ventilation In Your Living Room.

Open your windows to allow fresh air to circulate throughout your house. This straightforward tactic is the perfect way to prevent the return of musty smells. 

If desired, you can also use a dehumidifier to extract moisture from your furniture or choose a dehumidifier with additional features like surface cleaning for your couch.

Seal Your Couch For Long-Term Protection. 

Sealing your couch is a long-term method to prevent the musty smell from returning. However, be cautious with chemical sealants that claim to eliminate odors, as they can potentially damage the fabric of your upholstery. It’s not recommended to use such sealants.

Use Air Purifier To Keep The Musty Smell Out. 

An air purifier is a popular option to eliminate musty smells in your living room. Look for an air purifier dedicatedly drafted to remove odors effectively. Remember that air purifiers with odor-scrubbing capabilities may be pricier than basic models.

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