As a dog owner, you might find your furry friend hanging out on the couch pretty often — even when they’re not supposed to. But regardless of their cuteness, it comes to a point where you just can’t stand the odor left behind on your favorite spot in front of the TV. 

If you’re not sure about how to deodorize a couch, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we'll give you some tips on how to get dog smell out of your couch so you and your nose can be happy again. Let’s begin!

Why do dogs smell?

No matter how cute their furry friend is, some dog owners don’t allow their pet onto the couch. But, they have a good reason not to. After all, we don’t always know where dogs have been, and removing odor from a couch can be a pain sometimes.

So why do dogs leave their odor behind in the first place? While dog odor can be attributed to a number of things (e.g. illnesses, infections, poor dental health, etc.), their odor mainly has to do with bacteria and yeast. When their skin gets wet (especially after a bath), organic compounds on their skin and fur create moisture which eventually evaporates, creating that musty, wet dog smell you’re probably too familiar with.

But even if dogs aren’t wet, their bodies naturally produce an odor from oil production on their skin and fur; hence, you’ll find that your couch smells like dog pretty often — or just about any other place your dog frequently visits, such as your car.

How do you deodorize a couch?

So, what should you do to remove odor from your couch? To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 6 tips on how to get dog smell out of your couch:

1. Use an enzymatic cleaner

As a dog owner, you probably already know that their odor is sometimes accompanied by the smell of their pee. Let’s face it, no dog is perfect and accidents are bound to happen. If you’re not sure how to get that dog urine smell out of your couch, try an enzymatic cleaner like our Angry Orange Pet Stain & Odor Remover.

When dealing with dog urine, it’s best to use an enzymatic cleaner as a stain remover and pet deodorizer because their uric acid contains enzymes that contribute to the strong smells. Feel free to check out our other Angry Orange blog post for more helpful tips on how to get rid of old urine stains and more.

2. Use baking soda

Did you know that baking soda also works as a couch odor eliminator? It’s no secret that it works like a charm on odors in your fridge, so why not sprinkle some on your favorite spot in the living room to freshen things up?

Even though baking soda is a natural and safe odor eliminator for your couch and dog, you should make the area off limits for your furry friend until you thoroughly vacuum it the next day.

If you still find lingering dog odors, you can repeat the process until your couch is completely odor free — or use an Angry Orange cleaner for a sure-fire solution.

3. Create your own essential oil pet deodorizer

You can also make your own couch odor eliminator using essential oils (just make sure to check with your vet to see which oils are safe to use on your dog).

In a large spray bottle, mix the following together:

• ½ cup water
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 5 drops lemon essential oil
• 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Let the solution settle for about 3 minutes after mixing. To make sure it’s safe to use on your couch, do a quick spot test. If it is, spray the solution lightly over the smelly area and let it dry thoroughly overnight. You’ll also want to vacuum the area the next day to remove any baking soda residue.

4. Use fabric a freshener

Fabric fresheners are another sure-fire way to remove pet odor from furniture. However, they’re more of a maintenance solution since they don’t prevent or eliminate pet odors. But as long as you continue to use fabric fresheners, your couch will smell a lot nicer. In the end, anything beats the smell of wet dog.

If you decide to use a fabric freshener, make sure it’s dog-friendly and that your furry friend reacts well to its scent.

5. Machine wash your cushions and garments

Pillowcases, comforters, blankets, sofa cushion covers… you name it. Anything that can be safely washed in the laundry should be cleaned with a strong laundry detergent to remove odor from your couch (especially if your dog spends a lot of time outside). The key thing to remember is to do this on a regular basis to prevent odors from seeping into the cushions and pillows themselves (which will require even more effort to clean).

6. Regularly bathe and groom your dog

The last thing on our list of tips on how to get dog smell out of your couch is to regularly bathe and groom your dog. Your four-legged friend unconditionally loves you, so why not show a little love back by cleaning and freshening them up a bit?

Of course, every breed is different so you’ll want to talk to your vet about how often you should bathe and groom your dog. Additionally, some dogs require regular brushings to prevent shedding and trapped dirt and debris in their fur. 

So even if you’re able to remove odor from your couch, you won’t solve the problem unless you maintain your dog’s hygiene!

What’s the best way to remove pet odor from furniture?

Even though we’ve given you a list of tips on how to get dog smell out of your couch, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to removing pet odor. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you and your furry friend prefer.

Whether it’s getting an enzymatic pet cleaner or simply grooming your dog on a regular basis, there is no right or wrong solution. But if you’re not sure where to start, check out our collection of pet odor-eliminating products. Now go show your dog (and couch) some love!

Contributing Writer: Rebecca Lee