Roll a lint roller over the stained area to pull up dust, hair and any other pieces of dirt on the fabric.
Wet a clean cloth with warm water and add two to three drops of detergent to the cloth. Rub the area of the scalp oil in circular motions to loosen the oil and bring it up.
Wet a second cloth with only warm water and rub it over the area to pull away any excess detergent and soap residue. Repeat Step 2 and 3, if the oil is still clearly visible, until it is gone.
Mix a half cup of distilled water with a tablespoon of vinegar to make an odor-eliminating solution. Dip a cloth into the odor solution and dab the cloth onto the cloth where the scalp oil was.
Allow the couch to sit for two to three hours for the fabric to dry thoroughly. To speed drying time, place the couch in direct sunlight or use a hair dryer aimed toward the spot.
Sprinkle baking soda over the old oil area if a slight odor remains and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Vacuum the baking soda off the couch.