Cleaning a stinky couch?

[CheshireVal]

This is a kind of embarrassing question. At a Halloween party last weekend, my bf drank a BIT too much and threw up all over my friend's couch.

I really cannot BE more upset and embarrassed about the whole thing, believe me!

But now she says her couch (brand new-- she bought it only 5 months ago) is really smelly and she's tempted to throw it away!

We cleaned with Oxyclean after it happened, but now I'm determined to find SOMETHING that will actually work to restore her couch to its normal, non-smelly state before she does something drastic.

I hate feeling like I'm responsible for this, but I don't want to lose a friend over it.

Does anyone have any cleaning tips or hints for me? I'm desperate!

 

[monkeyboy]

Been there done that

Don't laugh but I saw someone at a self service carwash cleaning and using air freshener spray on a sofa they had in the back of a pick up truck

Worth a shot

 

[DawnCt1]

Perhaps the cushion pillow can be unzipped and the foam replaced. I had to replace the foam insert years ago on a couch and it wasn't that expensive. If the cushion can be unzipped, you could launder it as usual. You probably couldn't make it worse.

 

[HisEllyNelly]

What about those fabric refresheners like febreeze?? I use one put out by febreeze. Rent a carpet shampooer, they usually have furniture attachments, let it dry and then spray it down.
I have done this in the past and my sofa which is 10 years old smells just fine now.

 

[swanmom]

How about renting a carpet cleaning machine which specifically has an upholstery cleaning attachment? The solution which you use with these machines is similar to what they use at the dry cleaners. It worked for us when the cat puked on the chair..............YUK

 

[piratesmate]

I'd go with either the carpet/upholstery cleaner or the Fabreeze - but get the extra strength one.

I used the carpet cleaner for a similar problem when DD was little & it worked well. (but there was no alcohol involved ) I had friends who used the extra strength Fabreeze on their sofa every time a relative came over & sat on their couch. He was one stinky fellow & it worked great!

 

[TEENEE]

If the cushion can be taken off here's what I have done. Take the cover off and wash in on gentle, let it air dry. Put the cushion in the bathtub with soapy water (not too much soap). After you have washed it, rinse it out real good and set it out in the sun to dry. Obviously if the cover doesn't come off just put the whole thing in the tub.

Some of the other ideas of fabreeze are good but most of the time are just temporay fixes.

As I said I have done this myself and the odor has never returned.

 

[KristiKelly]

Rather than rent a machine, I would go directly to a professional carpet/upholstery cleaner. They would probably be able to do a better job. It may cost a little more, but your friend would really appreciate it I'm sure.