How to Get Rid of Pet Odors in Your Upholstery for Good

Local Search Essentials • April 28, 2026

How to Get Rid of Pet Odors in Your Upholstery for Good

If you share your home with a dog or cat, you already know the couch belongs to them just as much as it belongs to you. And while the cuddles are worth it, the odors that soak into your upholstery over time are a different story. Sprays and fabric fresheners might mask the smell for a day or two, but they are not solving the problem. If you are ready to actually get rid of pet odors in your furniture — not just cover them up — here is what you need to know.


Why Pet Odors Are So Hard to Eliminate

Pet odors are stubborn for a simple reason: they are not just sitting on the surface of your fabric. Dander, oils from your pet's coat, and accident residue work their way deep into upholstery fibers and the cushion material beneath them. Every time your pet settles in, those odors get pushed further into the fabric. Store-bought sprays treat only the top layer, which is why the smell always seems to come back within days.


The DIY Approach and Its Limits

Baking soda is a popular go-to, and it does absorb some surface odor when left to sit and then vacuumed away. White vinegar diluted with water can also neutralize mild smells on certain fabrics. These methods work reasonably well for very fresh, minor issues — but they are no match for odors that have been building up for months or years. Scrubbing too aggressively can also damage delicate upholstery fibers or push moisture deeper into the cushion, which creates an entirely new problem.


What Professional Cleaning Actually Does

Professional upholstery cleaning gets to the source of the odor rather than covering it. At Arslanian Bros., our 11-step cleaning process uses the right solutions and equipment for your specific fabric type, breaking down the organic compounds that cause pet odors at the fiber level. The result is not a couch that smells like a cleaning product — it is a couch that simply smells clean. For heavily soiled pieces, treatment may also include deodorizing agents that neutralize rather than mask.


Some Fabrics Need Extra Attention

Not all upholstery responds the same way to pet odors or cleaning methods. Microfiber, velvet, linen, and leather each require a different approach. Using the wrong product or technique on the wrong fabric can cause discoloration, shrinkage, or permanent damage. This is exactly why professional assessment before cleaning matters — a technician can identify your fabric type and recommend the appropriate treatment rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution.


Ready to Reclaim Your Furniture?

You love your pets, but you should not have to live with the smell. Arslanian Bros. has been helping Cleveland, OH, homeowners restore their upholstered furniture for decades, and we bring that same level of care to every job. Beyond upholstery cleaning, we also offer area rug repair and carpet cleaning to keep every corner of your home fresh and well-maintained. Contact us today at 216-271-6888 to request service and give your furniture the deep clean it deserves.

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