Bad odours that build up in sofas, armchairs and carpets can be eliminated with bicarbonate of soda, a common kitchen staple, according to a cleaning expert. The powder is sprinkled onto affected areas and left to sit before being vacuumed off.
Simple method for fresher furnishings
In a TikTok video, cleaning fan Kaye Marie said bicarbonate of soda is one of the most “cost-effective” ways she keeps her home clean and helps banish odours from furniture and carpets. She sprinkles the powder onto affected areas and leaves it to sit for as long as possible before vacuuming off the excess.
Kaye said: “Bicarb is great for lifting odours. Kids dropped milk [on the carpet]? Throw some on, leave it to sit for as long as you can, Hoover away, and the next day the odours are gone. This applies to any soft furnishings. Sofas, mattresses, rugs. This is amazing if you have pets, as it's going to keep away all those bad smells.”
Beyond odour removal
Kaye filmed herself sprinkling baking soda on her living room rug and sofa, then left it to sit before vacuuming up the excess powder. She also said baking soda can help lift “pesky water marks” and other dirt from furnishings. She mixes hot water, washing-up liquid and baking soda in a bowl, stirring “until the bicarb disappears”, then soaks a cloth in the mixture and wrings it out so it is not dripping wet. The cloth can then be used on “any soft furnishings” in a technique she calls “damp dusting”.
Kaye also suggested using bicarb with washing-up liquid to clean an air fryer, and putting some powder in the washing machine to brighten whites and remove bad smells from gym clothes. Commenters on the video said they would be buying bicarbonate of soda, with one calling it “the holy grail” and another saying they would try it on their fabric couch.
Step-by-step sofa cleaning guide
To clean a sofa with bicarbonate of soda, remove loose cushions and vacuum the entire sofa with a brush attachment to pick up debris such as crumbs, hair and dust. Check the care label to ensure it is safe, and test a small, hidden spot first. Generously and evenly dust plain baking soda across the entire surface, using a soft brush to work it into the fabric for deeper odours. Allow it to sit for 20 to 30 minutes, or overnight for very heavy smells, then vacuum again using an upholstery attachment.
