Baking soda is a fantastic cleaning treatment when you're learning how to clean a smelly couch. It removes and prevents odors as well as removes most stains.
Sprinkle the entire couch with baking soda, and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. (You can leave it there for up to an hour.) Using a brush attachment, vacuum the couch to remove the baking soda. Next, make this simple cleaner to tackle any remaining stains.
For fabric upholstery: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar, 3/4 warm water and 1 tablespoon of dish soap or Castile soap. Put in a spray bottle. Mist the soiled area. Scrub with a soft cloth until the stain lifts.
Simply sprinkle baking soda onto a wet stain, leave it overnight and you'll be surprised by the results. Not only will the stain likely be gone, but so too will any related odors – no need for an additional paste. As long as you cover the entire area of the stain with baking soda, it should do the trick!
Baking soda is an alkali that interacts with acidic ingredients or stains — including coffee, condiments, and body fluids — to help remove them. In fact, sodium bicarbonate is added to many laundry detergents as a “builder” that softens the wash water, which improves the overall effectiveness of any detergent.
Baking soda can usually be used on many metal surfaces but take caution with aluminum. You may be able to get away with using it if you quickly apply it and rinse it off. Leaving it on can cause it to oxidize which would change the aluminum's surface color.
The Power of WD-40
Bearing the problem with commercial cleaners in mind, it is essential to note that WD-40 is an exception. WD-40 offers car owners the opportunity to take care of some stains on their car upholstery and carpets.
Cleaning upholstery with bicarbonate of soda - how it works
Bicarbonate of soda neutralises fabric odours: This neutral, natural product reacts with foul-smelling acidic scents. Unlike air fresheners or fabric sprays, bicarbonate of soda actually absorbs smells in your sofa and carpet, rather than just masking them.
Effective in Removing Odours
When you sprinkle baking soda onto your couch, it works to neutralise the odours. It balances the pH of bad smells, which are generally acidic (that's why your nose scrunches up). With the acidity gone, baking soda allows your couch to smell fresh once more!
Take a teaspoon of washing-up liquid, white vinegar, baking soda and warm water and mix together into a lather (the mixture should froth up as the baking soda and vinegar react with one another). Then, apply directly to any stains or smudges that you can spot on your fabric sofa. Leave to dry out for around 10 minutes.
Let sit for 4-6 hours or overnight if possible. Don't let kids or pets near, as accidental consumption can be toxic. This gives the baking soda time to dry out and absorb odors. After a few hours, make sure you vacuum up all baking soda with a vacuum bristle attachment.
If pure water hasn't removed the stain, cleaning with vinegar is a great natural stain remover and is suitable for most types of upholstery. Begin by mixing equal parts water and vinegar and then blot the stain with a clean microfibre cloth before using gentle circular motions.
Soak item for 15 minutes in a mixture of 1-quart lukewarm water, 1 tablespoon ammonia, and a squirt of liquid dish soap. Gently rub stain from the back, then soak for an additional 15 minutes. Rinse the item, then soak in Oxy-Clean solution for at least 30 minutes, or until the stain is gone. Launder normally.
Certain types of fibers, such as wool, cotton, silk, and some nylons are particularly susceptible to permanent staining from coffee, tea, wine, etc. Be aware of hot liquids, especially. Of course, bleach and household chemicals (see below) can cause permanent staining as well.
The other thing to be careful of with baking soda is combining it with something acidic, like vinegar or lemon juice. As the chemicals combine with that satisfying fizz, they form a gas. If you combine them in a sealed container, like a soda bottle, it could potentially explode and harm you.
It's important not to use too much baking soda in recipes, as it can result in a metallic, soapy flavor. It is much more powerful than baking powder – you only need about 1/4 teaspoon baking soda per cup of flour to leaven baked goods.
Which natural detergent comes out on top? Well, that would depend on its intended use. For instance, vinegar is potent at fighting mold while baking soda is great at fighting wine and coffee stains. The former is a better disinfectant but the latter is a phenomenal deodorizer.
Baking powder is not as effective as baking soda for removing stains. The reason is that baking powder contains both an acid and a base, neutralising its reactivity – the property that gives baking soda its cleaning power. That said, baking powder can still be used for light cleaning tasks or minor stains.
Some of the most effective household cleaners aren't meant to be mixed. You probably already know never to combine harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia (or really, bleach and anything). But common pantry essentials that are often used for cleaning — like baking soda and vinegar — shouldn't be mixed either.