No one wants to sit on a chair that smells bad, even if it is actually clean. It might be musty from being stored in a damp basement, or it might have been soiled by a pet or a child. In any case, it is important to get rid of the odor. If an odor exists, the source is in the fibers and probably in the batting or cushioning. Read on to find out how to get a bad smell out of a chair, and clean away the odor once and for all.
Begin By Thoroughly Vacuuming and Cleaning the Chair
Before attempting to get a bad smell out of an upholstered chair, it must be thoroughly cleaned. An attempt to cover it up or air out the chair will not work, at least not for long. If the stains are dry, thoroughly dampen the fabric with cool clear water. While the fabric is damp, sprinkle it with baking soda. Allow it to remain on the chair for forty-eight hours or until the baking soda dries and begins to crack. At this point it has absorbed the moisture and any remaining soil. However, some of the bad smell might still remain in the fibers of the chair. Use one of the following methods to completely get rid of it.
What to Do if the Odor is Caused by Pets or Humans
If the source of the bad smell is caused by human or pet urine, vomit or something else, use an enzyme product made especially for pet stains and odors. It will completely destroy the bacteria causing the chair to smell bad, and it will work to get rid of it instead of just covering it up. Look for it in a store that sells pet supplies and cleaning products. In any case, but it in the pet supply section rather than the cleaning aisle. Unless it is an enzyme product, it will not completely get rid of the bad smell in the chair.
How to Get Rid of a Bad Musty or Dirty Smell
When a chair is musty or dirty smelling because of where it was stored, use charcoal to get rid of the bad smell. Wrap the entire chair in sealed plastic, and place an open bowl of charcoal inside before completely sealing it off. Leave it completely wrapped and sealed for at least forty-eight hours. The charcoal will absorb and neutralize the odor, but only if the chair was completely clean and dry before attempting to get rid of the bad smell.