Maybe OT: Getting smells out of fabrics?

ironkurtin

We had three very nice but definitely teenage-smelly boys staying with us for the past week, and they spent a lot of time on my sofa. Any suggestions on how to remove teenage boy funk from fabric-covered furniture?

I didn't realize I was so fastidious, but I guess I am!

14 years ago

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from Isabel

rachylou

Veteran

LOL. Drat! I thought you were going to tell me!

Febreeze?

14 years ago

Mander

(website)

Veteran

How about cheap vodka mixed with water in a spray bottle? Add nice smelling essential oils as desired.

Sounds weird, but I read somewhere on the 'net that this would work. I have a thrifted silk scarf that reeked of the previous owner's perfume and after trying soaking it in vinegar, sealing it in a bag with coffee and then baking soda for a week, respectively, I found that soaking it in cheap gin for a few hours worked the best. Vodka would be better on the furniture, though, as it has less sugar.

14 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I'm trying to imagine my husband's face if I sprayed the sofa with cheap gin...

14 years ago

Anonymous

No, I think you're supposed to spray the gin on *your* face, and then you won't care how bad your sofa stinks....

We use Febreeze sometimes. If can leave the cushions outside in a protected spot overnight, that might work better, as the Febreeze is pretty strongly perfumed.

14 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Claire, I really did LOL!

Maybe I can rub the sofa with a drier sheer?

14 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Can you drag the couch outside and let it air?

I did that with my dumpster furniture.

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Light scented candles?

14 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

Ideally if you can put the entire sofa outdoors for a bit of airing. Otherwise Febreze, or spray vinegar with scented oils in it.

14 years ago

Claudia

Veteran

Spray lightly with Lysol Neutra Air and Fabric Mist (kills bacteria too) I like the Crisp Linen scent, it isn't overpowering perfumey:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lyso.....ductDetail

14 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

OMG ! The vodka drinking !!

OK...we had that problem with a dog. I sprinkled baking soda all over the upholstery, even under the cushions, let it sit for a while and then vacuumed. It worked really well.

Another trick, that I have used sparingly, under the cushions is to spray some vinegar. Test with a sprayer under a cushion first and air out a bit. You don't want to go hog wild.....but both baking soda and vinegar neutralize odors - just don't make a paste and use together ! I use the baking soda regularly btw.

The only question is...are your boys smellier than my one dog ?

Good Luck !!!!

14 years ago

Meredith1953

Veteran

Claire! LOL!!!

Seriously IronKurtin
I think the vodka thing may actually work. Febreze works pretty well.

14 years ago

jenanded

Veteran

Lol Ironkurtin, I came onto the forum just now to take a break from domestic duties where I am trying to do same! I am going to try the baking soda... One bed one teenager made without a mattress protector is beyond feral and febreeze is not making headway so I was even going to consider tossing it and getting a new one from ikea... Thanks everyone! After I take a swig of vodka myself I am onto the baking soda - sprinkled not snorted! lol

14 years ago

Mander

(website)

Veteran

There are apparently many non-drunken uses for vodka:

http://smartklean.wordpress.co.....reat-uses/

14 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

Mander, THAT is hysterical !!!! I may dump the white vinegar and start keeping bottles of vodka everywhere in the house. That would be such a hoot when people come over, vodka in the linen closet, under the bathroom sinks, under the kitchen sink....I am killing myself even thinking about it. Rumors would fly.

14 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

Isabel, you should get one of those little bottles for your purse, you know, for emergencies

ETA without more experience in the matter I am wondering why these boys are all so rank, but I don't want to think about it too hard...

14 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

Scarlet, LOL !! ( I don't have teenage boys, so I am not inclined to ponder this either ! )

14 years ago

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