How to Get Skunky Smells out of Leather Furniture
That sofa is Killing me!
Have you ever bought a brand new leather sofa or couch, thinking how beautiful it will look in your house, and without even thinking about it, paid and got it delivered, only to find out that it is stinking your home out, with a smell that is a cross between a skunk, and a decomposing animal?
Yes? well I wish someone had told me about it! After moving into his new home, my brother decided that he had always wanted a big leather sofa. So after purchasing one, and waiting a couple of days for delivery, he set it up in pride of place in his new flat. Over the next couple of days, he began to feel really ill. He felt sick, dizzy and his Asthma began to get really bad. he could not understand it.
He was aware of the fact that the couch had a horrible musty smell, but in his innocence, he thought it would go away after leaving the doors and windows open. But to no avail. I visited a couple of times, and commented on this horrible smell, but didn't think anything of it, until I started to feel sick and slightly heady. It was disgusting. I always thought leather had a nice smell.
I had bought handbags and jackets new before, and they had never had such a horrible odor. By this time, my brother had started to get quite scared. he couldn't understand why he felt so ill. So I decided to do a bit of investigating. After reading a few books and checking out a couple of sites on the Internet, I realized that thankfully we were not alone in this.
What do we do now?
To my dismay, I realised that actually, not only do a lot of people have this problem, but there really is not a way to absolutely get rid of this smell for good. But the good news is that you can remove it, but you may have to repeat the process from time to time. Obviously after a few years of wear and tear, other smells will permeate it, and by then you will either be used to it, or thankfully it will only pong a bit. All depending on the depth or type of leather. So below I have listed the best and most effective way to minimalise the odor, and hopefully get it to a state of neutrality where you will be able to forget about it for good, or at least for a long while.
1. The first and best idea, is to use a good saddle soap. It is not very expensive, and is made just for cleaning leather. Most hardware stores or specialised leather shops will be able to sell this to you, and always make sure after you have cleaned it, that you put back the oils in the sofa, to stop the leather from drying and cracking. Linseed or lanolin oil are good leather conditioning products to keep the leather supple.
2.Zeolite. This is an odor absorber, that comes from volcanic ash, it is a natural mineral and can be recharged by putting them back out in the sun. It works for years. Place it in the mesh bag that comes with it, under your cushions or even inside the sofa.
3. A solution of washing up liquid in water, and a cloth rung sparingly, don't soak it, can have a good effect, as it removes the obvious smell, and can soak into the leather. Make sure you use hot water, or at least warm, so that it will evaporate quicker, and not soak the couch too much. You don't want a ruined soggy mess to contend with! If it gets too wet it will smell more like a soggy animal caught in the rain!
4. Old newspapers or any sort of packing paper, is a great idea to get rid of the smell. The reason for this is that the paper is more porous than leather, so what happens is the fibres of the paper act as a wick that lifts the odors from the leather. Don't use paper that you would get in a notebook or feels harder, because newspaper is much more porous so will work quicker.
5. This one may be obvious, but try to get as much air to the product as possible. If it is practical, try and move the couch to a room where you can constantly open a window or door for a few days. A shed or a garage would be best because it is well ventilated, but not to damp.
6.Soak the leather in a solution of distilled white vinegar. Obviously this will cause it to smell of vinegar slightly when it is dry, so after giving it a good rub down, let it dry, and then wash the couch again with the washing up solution, then make sure you give it a good conditioning. You do not want a moldy, vinegar smelling settee, that eventually shrivels up and looks a mess.
7. Mix a solution of Ammonia and and water, and soak the leather in it. This may seem odd, as leather is cleaned in ammonia in the first place, whilst being made. But if your leather smells badly of skunk, then the bad smell has obviously over taken the ammonia. This will counteract the bad animal smell. Then clean with washing up liquid and warm water, then conditioner.
8.Baking soda has many uses, but the main use for leather is that it will soak up the smell, very quickly and efficiently. Place a liberal amount of baking soda inside a cushion case or pillowcase, and place it across and around the leather, covering as much as you can. This works best for small leather items, but can be a quick solution for a couch if you don't have time to clean it properly for a few days.
9. Charcoal is another good thing to use to soak up the bad odor. Do the same with this as you did with the baking soda.
10. There is a new product, link below, that is called The Amazing Environmental Air Sponge, that eliminates Odors and Smells. This product is said to dissolve in the air, releasing microscopic molecules that interact and eliminate odors and pollutant molecules as well as being good for dust control. check out the link.
So there we have it. I hope this helps to get rid of that horrible smell, and in my case I will definitely be trying out these options, so that the settee can be used as it is meant to be. Smell free, and usable.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
Questions & Answers
The stink is coming from deep within the leather recliner. How do I get to the inside to clean it? Can a syringe filled with a solution and shot into where it's sewed clean it? What would you recommend for that?
I would suggest phoning the shop where you bought it and asking for advice. Each leather couch is made by a different firm. Best to get expert advice on that.
Helpful 7I bought a leather sofa last month, but it still smells. I have applied a vinegar solution, charcoal, and sofa cleaner but the smell is still there. What should I do?
As you can see, the solution is in the article.
Helpful 6
© 2010 Nell Rose
Comments
I bought a kate spade purse on clearance on a day that my nose was stuffed up. It was a gorgeous purse, for just 36 dollars, and even though my friend said it smelled, I thought I could get rid of it. Boy was I wrong. After cleaning the thing countless times with saddle soap and alcohol, it has faded a bit, but the smell won't die. :(
Thanks for the info. Going to give it a try. The odor on my couch is terrible.
It's likely that your brother didn't in fact purchase a LEATHER sofa but instead was duped into buying a cheap "BONDED LEATHER" overpriced pile of garbage sofa which is shredded leather that's been glued together and after a year or two of use will again revert back to shredded leather. He's probably smelling the glue or other chemicals from the manufacturing process. If I'm wrong then I'm surprised real leather would ever cause such a problem.
Hi i have a secondhand dark brown suite 2+3 recliners and they smell of old cigarette smoke and we cnt get rid of pls help me whats the best and easiest way to solve it please
Thanks for reading, Ron. Yes its a pain isn't it? try some of the stuff above, it really does help, but if not sell it on, or get your money back. you could stand it in a aired room for about 4 months, the smell should have gone by then but....lol! good luck!
I have the same issue. Thought the smell was mold from my ac, had it cleaned but smell didn't go away. Ditched the mattress, and the smell was still there then one day sniffing the sofa made me realize it was the sofa off gassing and created a stench to the entire condo. Not sure what to do yet, will air it out and see what happens, might need to return it
Thanks for informing me how to get rid of the smell. I kept trying to figure out where is that smell coming from. I had the sofa for about a month. The smell was strong odor that made you feel sick and hard to breath. I thought maybe the person who lived in this apartment made have had cats or dogs but they didn't. Finally one night I smell the sofa and the rest is history. I hope some of your suggestions will help. I burn the wax burners to keep the smell down.
i have a leather couch and have never had a problem with it. 5 yrs now and no smells
I have noticed that Leather Products from China have more obnoxious odors than Leather made in the USA or Canada.
Wow, I just got home from the hospital and now I am recovering from a severe asthma attack. I was considering a leather couch to replace a fabric one. I read that microfiber has a barrier to protect against dust mites, I will buy that and forgo leather . Great informative information. I ran across your article, while looking up dust mites. My husband, a retired history teacher, writer, has a 3,000 or so books! I was never bothered by them until a few years ago, after 47 years, he actually told he would take his books and leave! He apologised! Good thing I was going to say " good by, it was good knowing you!! I love books and leather bond books! But not if it could kill me !
We both looked forward to retirement surrounded by leather and books, life through us a curve. How do I talk him into a kindle! I even told him I would download his books, now that's love!
Thanks again to you and your followers!
Ban Stinky Furniture !
My leather couch was starting to stink with b.o. I needed to use what I have on hand to rid the smell.
I had an orange that needed to be tossed. Instead I peeled the zest off, into a big bowl, along with some of the rind. I added 2 leaves of fresh sage-which I squeezed lightly to release the aromas. I added 3-4 cups of water.
The oil from the orange rind and the sage oil smell amazing! I dipped a cloth in the solution
Im pregnant and we have brought a leather sofa from Harvey s outlet store. It smellseems really toxic I cannot stand it. Boyfriend can not smell it ans thinks its because of my heightened pewhency smell. Am I harming my baby
If you are having these smell from a leather sofa then do not try to cover the smell you have a faulty piece of furniture I notice the age of this report is about 4 year which was a time many sofa where being produced in China and on of the solvents being used by the Chinese to cover there foam filling to prevent fungal spores was highly toxic to humans it has a very hasty smell to it it does not small like leather at all. Most leather sofa in the UK are of the bonded type there will be no smell from these as the leather is sealed in a plastic type coating.
Nature hide sofa aniline and semi aniline will give a leather smell
But that goes after 6 months if your sofa smells different to the one on show reject it ask for a replacement only a fool would put up with this leather had been around before any other product for sofa so you are unlikely to have problems. Only stupid people will be put of from buying a leather sofa after reading this the leather was not the problem its sounds like the filling was the problem and even if you pay through the nose at john lewis they get there from the same places as small outlets and every can get caught by bad manufacturing and corner cutting
If your leather products smell bad (not that good leather smell) it is because you got ripped off. Do you have any idea what type of chemicals need to be used to tan the leather? Some of them are so toxic that leather tanning companies have been held liable for the contaminants leaking into the towns water supply and killing kids (WR Grace Company, Chicago USA). Just think about what you have to do to turn cattle skin into a product that wont decompose. It's skin for crying out loud. If your leather products smell bad, its because they are using bad bad chemicals. I would suggest finding the person who sold it to you, and throwing that stinky couch through the front window of their store, bkz they scammed you.
~Cheers
very helpful. thanks.
feel dizzy, bad headache and my nose is so sore and dry.
have tried vinegar. hope this smell goes.
Very useful. This will come in handy in the future and share it with my friends.
Voted up and useful. :-)
We have numerous leather sofas & chairs all of which are used on a daily basis, but only one of them has this foul skunky smell, it was an expensive little sofa,£1600 which was purchased about 2 years ago, we have relocated it around our home, but have finally reached the stage where we can put up with it no longer,it will go to the charity shop, because despite trying all sorts of solutions it stinks!!!!! I am annoyed that there is no recourse with the retailer, because it certainly does not apply to all leather products.
I don't know that I've ever encountered that smell. But this hub has provided several solution in case I do. Voting this Up and Useful.
Hi, my problem is it's had a dog sleeping on it, licking it nearly 24/7 before it came to my house. I though the dog smelt - but now my clothes do on contact! Can that smell be removed too does anyone know, or should I just get rid?
cheers,
Ack! I know what you mean. When my office decided to get some new furnitures in LEATHER, it smelled horrid but I didn't give much thought about it since I wasn't staying in the office for life and the air con eventually absorb the scent.
But at home, it was terrible but I use a spray called lemon pledge since saddle soap wasn't available here =)
We purchased a used leather sectional, Italia,in great condition. Upon its arrival I gotsoresinsidemy mouth. We had itprofessionally cleaned andwhen it returned the same thing happened. We have done everything you suggested and also used alcohul toclean it. The oder goes away for a shorttimethen returns. For six monthsnow I have been living with issues in my mouth and today we just got rid of it. 3 leather experts think I am nuts, they can't smell it,many other people can't smellit but I can and it is now gone....
just bought a leather suite really bad smell and making our eyes sore nose irritated wife suffers from asthma,store not to interested,so getting independent leather expert
Hi Nell, so many comments but i feel good to add mine to this too. Few weeks ago I got my leather sofa, Looks great and comfy. Thought I had a dogey one till reading this. If I knew about this I would have got a different one but stuck with it now. Hopefully now I can get rid of this smell. Thanks.
That smell is not leather, I have had leather sofas and clothing, that smell is toxic plastic. I guarantee if you look you will not see rawhide on the backside. You did not buy a leather sofa, just a horrible cheap imitation.
Thanks Nell :) I wasn't going to contest that one.
Hey Nell,
I suppose Lisa realises youu sit on a Sofa... Not eat it !
Just a thought.
How about not buying leather at all? :) Sorry, I'm a vegetarian.
That's a very comphrehensive post and a useful guide for anyone who is experiencing the same problem.
You know what, I had a leather sofa before, and smelled something and didn't think anything on it, and I think it especial smells when mixed with human sweat, or when skin touches it, that's what makes it smell.
Thanks for this info. My problem wasn't furniture, it was a pair of shoes I bought for my 4 year old. The smell is horrible. I'm trying a couple of theses ideas. I'm thinking of taking them back!
Great information and tips on how to take care of your leather furniture.
"Obviously after a few years of wear and tear, other smells will permeate it, and by then you will either be used to it, or thankfully it will only pong a bit."
Or I will temper on it and throw it away. Well, maybe not throw but send it to get feel smelly leather and change it with new cover. LOL
I am not that patient among smell, Nell. My nose is very sensitive so I might be ill too.
Anyway, it is very useful tips, dear. Thank you. :)
Well I'm a bit late here I see but just caught it of interest, Mom had one just weeks before she moved down south with me but I wouldn't let her bring it, not only the smell but I hate anything like that reminding me of silk blouses and slacks, you know? They are too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter! As for any leather or vinyl chairs or sofas skin do stick to them all for sure! Never tried my butt to one yet, lol
Our new one smells good, just like leather should but the information is useful anyway. I've smelled that nasty leather smell on cheap leather shoes before and it's vile. I wonder if your brother's asthma could have been triggered by the solvent based protective coating they put on some leathers. My daughter couldn't even go in furniture shops because of that.
Great tips! Luckily, I've never had a leather sofa to smell bad. Mine in the office smells like a saddle!
this is really great information. Sofa is part of the room. We have to take care of it. and you had done it well. I am glad to know your tips. good work.
This is the information I have been wanting to find. You brought it to me Nell Rose. Thank you. I like this too. More power.
Wow sounds like it could be dangerous, even strong perfume make me sick, but glad you got it solved, good info.
Hi my lovely Nell, I am very lucky with my chairs, dont have this problem yet, but if I do I will know what to do.:) Very good informations thanks for that. That photo of the skunk made me laught.Lol. Great hub my lovely friend.:) Thanks for sharing.
Great info - we have all leather couches upstairs and the odor has never been that bad - maybe we just got used to it! Yikes.
Informative hub I never knew this about leather couches and its a good thing I don't like leather couches but good to know anyway. Good job Nell.
Nell, this is great advice. I'll expound on another problem that could occur with cyclists. Cycling shorts have a leather or synthetic "seat" inside the shorts. Most cyclists will "lube" this area up a bit with Noxzema, Bag Balm, or their favorite "lube". A friend who always did, lube up, stopped by his sister's home in the middle of a bike ride and had a beer before leaving. When he left- he left his the oily print of his butt on her leather couch permanently. So- watch you butt!
I've smelled that same smell on some leather shoes and handbags. Of course, I didn't buy them. In all cases, it was imported leather.
Actually never had a leather sofa but when I was close to getting one, I smelled a funkiness at the store and decided against it. Never realized until now what I avoided. Great information Nell, thanks.
I bought a leather couch a few years ago and it had the wonderful familiar leather smell. It didn't stink at all. I guess I just got lucky. Great read Nell.
Hi Nell, I've never had a lether sofa and after reading your hub I don't think I'm going to get one. Thanks for infos.
Oh my! I was thinking about buying a leather sofa.. no chance now! I didn't realise the work that needs to be put into it and I dont fancy a stench in the house!
Thanks for publishing this my friend! ~Skunkiness... YUCK!
Shaz x
Good informative hub.
Very informative poost.. I love the smell of good leather.. but not that skunkiness. Thanks!!
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