I acquired 2 great quality couches from a house that was left behind as the couple moved to a retirement home. But... I have to be blunt... they have a distinct "Old People" smell. Any advice on how to get that out?
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What I would try is vacuum them well, then shampooing them (Bissel makes a carpet/upholstry shampoo that has scotchguard in it). If you have a deck or garage or can sit them out side somewhere to air out.. even bringing them in at night, then back out. And use Fabreze on them. When I say vacuum them I mean take the cushions off and use the corner/crevice tool and clean down inside, everywhere, even the underside. Just depends on how bad you want them and how nice they are I guess. When my kids were small everything we had came from garage sales or was given to us. I did everything I could to get use out of what we had.
Keep them as they are, you will soon be "Old People" and will be comfortable with the odor!
Hi
Pick a sunny day to do this, b'cuz the sun actually helps to remove the odors. Ok, if you have a sprayer( even an old miracle grow sprayer) use it, but if not use a scrub brush and bucket, or an uphosltery and rug cleaner. Spray or clean the furniture with 1 cup of white vinegar per 1 gallon of water, add a squirt of of dish soap. Do this early in the day!
Set it out on your deck or yard, in the sun to dry. Check your cushions ( take them off the sofas to clean and stand them up to dry) and turn them around as one side dries.
I have done this myself for furniture that was left to me by my grandmother, that had set in my mother in laws basement way too long.
It removed all of the odor. Remember to wash/spray the back and bottom too.
This WILL remove the smell.
When returning it inside, sprinkle some baking soda into the sofa before putting the cushions back on.
Leave it there for about a week before sweeping it out.
HTH
Brenda-ohio
We used Arm & Hammer carpet fresh with cinnamon for a microsuede couch with massive smoke odor (apartment fire.) DH covered it and it sat for 2-3 days in our smoke smell apartment, then he vacuumed it (detailed) and moved it in to the new one...NOT A TRACE! According to American Red Cross, the cinnamon is a main factor in eliminating the odors, while the baking soda absorbs the rest.
What is "old people smell???
Wasn`t going to write but curiosity got the better of me. What on earth is "Old People Smell"? If it`s just a "Closed up" smell, then opening doors and windows to air everything out should do it!
I wonder how many others know exactly what the so called *Old People smell* is but not sure of how to phrase it? There are a few examples of it. One is purely how one may call it as a nursing home smell. But I remember this older lady we used to visit when I was a child (I'm 55) She used her coal heating stove to cook with, and kept her tables covered with newspapers. Yes, it was closed up but but the odor was bad.
Wonder how many others know exactly what the so called *Old People smell* is but not sure of how to phrase it? There are a few examples of it. One is purely how one may call it as a nursing home smell. But I remember this older lady we used to visit when I was a child (I'm 55). She used her coal heating stove to cook with, and kept her tables covered with newspapers. Yes it was closed up but but the odor was bad.
I worked in a nursing home for awhile....but "old people" smell in a personal home would not quite be that! My experience (and I spent a lot of time with my Dear Grandma growing up) was a special blend of muscle rub (like mentholatum), makeup and coffee! To top it off with "old books/papers" and air conditioning or recirculated air. Especially in Chicago, I am sure the freeone from the air conditioning plays a big part! I am sure you don't mean any disrespect, it is a part of life we eventually face!
camo_angels what I wanted to say but didnt was the urine odor, yes it does exist in personal homes. My mom was clean but some odors are difficult to get rid of no matter what.. with incontinence (sp) you know. And you sure rang a belll when you said mentholatum, or vicks or icey hot or what ever. My mom has been gone for 13 yrs. She lived the last 4 in a nursing home. I never dreamed Id miss that old people smell.
*smile* I miss it too...especially when I cut celery! SHe always cut celery on the farm for stuffing and snacking!
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