How to Keep Your Chairs & Sofas Smelling Fresh

Limit Pet Access

• Probably the best way to keep chairs and sofas smelling fresh and new is to limit the amount of time your pet spends on them. Even the cleanest cat or dog goes through times when it smells like, well -- cat or dog. If you absolutely must have your four-legged friend beside you when you're watching your prime time shows, dedicate a soft, comfy blanket just for him and keep it on the chair in his favorite spot. Use something that washes easily and toss it in the laundry often. You might also want to keep an eye on pets that mark or spray. Having your pet spayed or neutered goes a long way toward alleviating this problem, but if your pet developed the habit before you had him fixed, breaking him of it could be difficult. Talk to your vet for reliable techniques.

Use Deodorizers

• Fabric refresher does a good job of alleviating odors in your couch or chair. Use the spray kind that goes on easily and dries almost instantly. You might also place scented fabric softener sheets or sachets between the cushions for a burst of pleasant aroma anytime someone sits down. If your furniture has wood trim, buy a nicely scented furniture polish and use it to wipe down all the wood once or twice a week.

Wash Slipcovers

• If your couch or chair has removable slipcovers, launder them one or twice a month and dry them with scented fabric softener sheets. For furniture with permanent covers, buy or rent an upholstery cleaner and try it out on a section of chair that doesn't show, such as under a cushion. Allow the test area to dry completely and then examine it for any damage. If it looks clean and undamaged, give your whole piece a nice cleaning.

Open Up Your Home

• Nothing freshens up a space better than Mother Nature. Crack open a few windows in your home to take advantage of cross-ventilation and let a comforting breeze blow any odors away. You might also invest in appliances that use charcoal filters to remove contaminants in the air. Cleaning your upholstery with a vacuum that uses one of these filters helps eliminate common causes of odors, such as pet dander, bacteria, cooking odors and cigarette smoke.