The Best Ways to Get Rid of Odors From Economical Furniture
Purchasing a great piece of furniture from a thrift store or yard sale is a satisfying accomplishment for anyone interested in DIY, upcycling, or simply saving money. But when you’re still excited about your new find, you may not notice that your new chair smells like an ashtray or that your new favorite lounge chair smells like sweat. Now what? The deal was too good to pass up, but you don’t want to bring the thrift store smell into your home. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to get rid of any bad odors and kill any bacteria that might have gotten on your new treasure.
Get rid of the smell of cigarettes
To get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke, you can wipe down your furniture with baking soda. This will also help get rid of some other organic odors, so it’s generally a good practice when bringing used items into your collection. To use baking soda as an odor absorber, sprinkle it on the upholstery, making sure to get it between the cushions and any cracks and crevices, and let sit for half an hour to an hour. Since tobacco smoke leaves oily tar residue on surfaces, baking soda can help absorb it and remove some of the odor-causing deposits.
Use liquid upholstery detergent.
If you have a more persistent odor or need to kill germs as well as get rid of the odor, you should use a liquid upholstery detergent . The detergent can be applied with a brush , although some types of detergents come with a separate brush. After application, leave for about an hour and then vacuum. This will allow the detergent time to penetrate the material.
Wash as much as possible in the washing machine.
If your furniture’s cushion covers are removable, wash them in the washing machine if possible. In most cases, drying your pillow covers is a good idea, but if you’re concerned about germs, the heat of the dryer can also kill some types of bacteria and viruses. Just remember to check your pillow covers regularly to make sure they don’t shrink or lose their shape in the dryer.
Use vinegar
To eliminate some odors, using vinegar is a good option. Since bacteria can often cause odors even after they have died, using an acid that won’t harm the fabric, such as vinegar, is a good option. Pour some vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the upholstery until it is damp, then let it dry. The vinegar will neutralize the odor so you can vacuum the surface of the furniture once it’s dry. While some people don’t like the smell of vinegar and note that it can linger after you’ve finished cleaning, it does work well on many odors.
Use vodka
If vinegar isn’t your thing, many thrifting experts’ secret weapon is vodka . Like vinegar, vodka is acidic and can kill some common bacteria that live in tissue. Place it in a spray bottle and spray onto the upholstery. When the vodka dries, the alcohol in the vodka will evaporate, leaving no odor behind. Vodka can also kill mold if it is bothering your furniture.
Use sunlight
If you have a sunny day, taking a thrifty piece of furniture out into the sunlight will help get rid of some odors. UV light kills some types of germs, so be sure to remove the cushions, remove the covers if you can, and take apart the parts as much as possible. This will allow light to penetrate into cracks and crevices where daylight would not normally reach. Allow the furniture to tan this way for a few hours before bringing it inside. Just make sure you know the weather forecast.
Use hydrogen peroxide
To get serious about killing germs, you can use a hydrogen peroxide spray. This will kill a lot of germs and, like non-chlorine bleach in a washing machine, will not bleach the material. Spray the upholstery with hydrogen peroxide, let it dry, and then vacuum the fabric. If you have particularly dirty stains, rub hydrogen peroxide with a brush to work it into the material.