Got a musty smell coming from your couch? It happens to the best of us!

It happens to the best of us! Your couch can smell musty from all sorts of things - maybe it was a spill you didn't notice, some humid weather, or just everyday life happening on your couch.

The good news? You don’t have to throw out your favorite piece of furniture or spend a fortune on expensive cleaners.

Getting rid of that smell is easier than you might think!

In this post, I'll show you seven simple ways to freshen up your couch using stuff you probably already have at home.

Why Does My Couch Smell Musty?

Your couch smells musty because of moisture.

If you live somewhere humid, if there's been a water leak, if your home doesn't have good air circulation, or if someone spilled something on the couch and it wasn't cleaned up properly, it can all cause moisture to build up in the fabric.

When that happens, mold or mildew will start growing on the couch, and that’s where the musty smell comes from.

If your couch is in a basement or somewhere kind of humid, that makes it worse.

But that's not the only possible cause. Over time, dust, dirt, and dead skin cells can build up on your couch. This creates a perfect environment for bacteria to grow.

Pet hair, food crumbs, and sweat can also make your couch smell musty too.

How To Get Musty Smell Out Of Couch

Good news - there are several ways to get rid of that musty smell. Here's what you can do:

Vacuum The Couch

The first thing you’ll want to do is grab your vacuum and give your couch a good once-over.

Dust, crumbs, pet hair, and other tiny particles can get trapped in the fabric, and they often hold onto moisture, which makes that musty smell stick around longer.

Vacuuming will get rid of all that buildup, which will help the other steps work better.

It’s a quick win and a good starting point before you dive into more involved cleaning.

Also Read: How To Remove Desitin Out Of Couch

Air Out The Couch

Fresh air can work wonders on a musty couch.

If you can, open up all your windows and get some good airflow going through your room. Even better - if it's a nice day and you have the space, take those cushions outside.

Just find a clean, dry spot away from direct sunlight (you don't want the fabric to fade).

A few hours outside can make a huge difference.

If you're working indoors, set up a couple of fans to get the air moving around your couch.

The more circulation you create, the better - it helps dry out any hidden moisture that's trapped in the fabric.

A dehumidifier can be really helpful too, especially if you live somewhere humid.

Clean With Vinegar Solution

Vinegar is great at neutralizing odors. It works wonders because it breaks down the bacteria and mold that cause musty smells.

Mix one part white vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle. Before you go spraying your whole couch, do a quick test on a hidden spot to make sure it won't damage the fabric.

Once you know it's safe, start spraying your couch lightly.

You want it damp but not soaking wet - too much moisture will just create new problems.

Don’t worry if the couch smells a little vinegary at first – that scent fades quickly as it dries, leaving your couch smelling way fresher. Just let it sit for a while and dry out.

Also Read: How To Clean Pellet Stove Glass

Sprinkle Baking Soda

Baking soda is another natural odor-fighter that’s super effective at soaking up moisture and neutralizing smells.

After cleaning your couch, lightly sprinkle baking soda over the cushions. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes – the longer, the better – so it can absorb any leftover moisture and odors.

Once it’s had time to work its magic, vacuum it up.

Your couch will feel cleaner, and any musty smell will be gone.

You can even repeat this step if you think it needs a little extra help.

Dry With A Hairdryer Or Fan

Getting your couch completely dry is super important - any leftover moisture can bring those musty smells right back.

If your couch still feels a bit damp after cleaning, you've got a couple of options.

You can use a hairdryer on the cool setting (never hot - that could damage your fabric), moving it constantly so you don't focus too long on one spot. Make sure you get into all those seams and around buttons where moisture likes to hide.

Or set up some fans around your couch to create a nice cross-breeze.

Use Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is a natural deodorizer that’s awesome at absorbing moisture and odors.

It sounds a bit fancy, but it’s simple to use! You can find activated charcoal bags or even make your own by placing some charcoal in small mesh bags or containers.

Put these around your couch, especially in the areas where the smell seems the strongest.

Leave them there for a day or two, and you’ll notice a big difference.

It’s a quiet but super effective way to keep your couch smelling fresh without much effort.

Spray Some Essential Oils

Once the musty smell is mostly gone, you can give your couch a nice finishing touch with essential oils.

You can use lavender, eucalyptus, or lemon - just add a few drops to a spray bottle with some water and give your couch a light mist.

Not only will it smell amazing, but some essential oils, like tea tree or eucalyptus, have natural antibacterial properties that can help fight any lingering germs or mold.

It’s a nice way to add a pleasant scent and a little extra freshness to the mix.

Bottom Line

Getting rid of musty smells from your couch takes a bit of work, but it's definitely doable.

Just follow these steps, you can make your couch smell fresh and clean again!

Remember to take care of any moisture problems in your home to stop the smell from coming back. Plus, regular cleaning, like vacuuming every week and cleaning up spills right away, will help keep your couch smelling nice for longer.

If you try all of these things and the smell is still there, you might want to think about getting a professional to clean it.

Couch Smells Musty (Cleaning Guide)