I Tried 3 Methods to Get the Dog Smell Out of My Couch, and the Winner Left No Trace
With a steady stream of holiday visitors heading my way, I’m in major “clean everything” mode. I know my family and friends will love me regardless of the state of my home, but I still want my place to smell fresh — especially because of my dogs.
I can never get rid of the “dog smell” in my soft, upholstered couch, despite my best efforts. I decided to look into the best way to clean couch cushions, hoping to find a way to get it smelling and looking cleaner than ever. I tested three different methods, and I was shocked to discover that the simplest method ended up being the most effective for removing the dog odor.
How to Get Dog Smell Out of Couch
Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar, 3/4 cup warm water, and 1 tablespoon of dish soap in a spray bottle and shake to combine. Generously spray the cushion with the solution, scrub with a microfiber cloth, mist with plain water, and wipe again. Let it dry.
How I Tested the Methods
I tested each method on a different seat cushion or pillow on the same sectional couch. Before getting started, I vacuumed all the cushions thoroughly and gathered everything I needed so I could test the methods back-to-back. For the sniff test to see how well each method got the dog odor out, I removed each cushion and asked my younger son (who is incredibly sensitive to smells) to give honest feedback of before and after trying each technique.
Ratings: Every method is rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best.
Method 1: Steamer
Rating: 2/5
Method: I used my Laurastar Izzi Plus to steam both the seat and back cushions, wearing the heatproof glove and moving slowly over the surface.
How it went: The cushions were a little damp afterward. My son immediately said, “It does not smell good. It smells like dog.” I had to get very close to smell what he meant — the steamer definitely muted the odor but didn’t remove it. By the next day, the dog smell returned as strong as the untreated cushion. I think steaming after another method could improve results, but on its own, it wasn’t a win.
Method 2: Bissell Pet Stain Eraser
Rating: 3/5
Method: My dad gifted me the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Cordless Upholstery Carpet Cleaner for Christmas and I mostly use it on carpet accidents and spills, but I decided to use it on the corner of the couch that my dogs like the best. Using the recommended Pet Pro cleaning solution, I sprayed the seat and back cushions of one section generously and then used the vacuum function to suck up the solution.
How it went: The cushions stayed damp longer than I’d like, even after multiple passes of the vacuum. The cleaner left behind a light “dog cleaner” scent, but my son confirmed that the actual dog smell was gone. The next day, the cleaner scent still lingered, but odor-wise, it worked.
Method 3: Water, Vinegar, and Dish Soap
Rating: 4/5
Method: My usual go-to for smells and sterilizing is to use a vinegar solution on it. I mixed 1/4 cup white vinegar, 3/4 cup warm water, and 1 tablespoon of Dawn dish soap in a spray bottle and shook to combine. I generously sprayed the seat and back cushions of another corner seat, scrubbed with a microfiber cloth, misted with plain water, and wiped again.
How it went: My son said the smell was strong at first, but once dry, it was “all better”! Of all the methods, this one neutralized the dog smell the best (both immediately and 24 hours later). A light vinegar scent lingered, but I could easily dilute it more next time, and it wasn’t enough to bother me or my guests.
Conclusion
After testing three methods, there was a clear winner: the vinegar-dish soap solution. It was the most effective at neutralizing dog odor, both to me and my son with a super sensitive nose. It ended up taking the least amount of work and I already had everything I needed.
I still plan to go over my entire couch with the steamer after using the winning method for extra sanitizing power, but the simplest solution absolutely worked the best. Sometimes you’ve just got to keep it simple.