6 Ways To Remove Smells From Furniture

I am ALL ABOUT picking up furniture from the side of the road, but inevitably you will eventually pick up something that REEKS. Sometimes it’s easy to get the smells out, but sometimes you have to draw the line and know when something can’t be saved. Here are my tips for removing smells from furniture!

Tip: Don’t waste your energy trying to get out excessive cigarette or cat smells. They are near impossible to remove and extremely difficult to mask. To me, this is a dealbreaker!

Leave it outside (where it won’t get wet) as long as possible

The sun is a powerful tool to get rid of scents! Sometimes furniture just needs to sunbathe and the scent will disappear. It is super important that the furniture doesn’t get wet when outside though - the last thing you need is to have a mold problem. Even if the smell doesn’t completely go away with this, it should help get the process started!

Clean it with Krud Kutter

I’ve used a lot of different cleaning supplies when flipping furniture, and Krud Kutter is my absolute favorite. It doesn’t leave it’s own scent and it gets even the nastiest gunk out.

Tip: Avoid upholstered furniture that smells because it’s likely the smell is within the cushions and will take a lot of water, time, and energy to remove. But if you do want to try it out… here is my recommendation for an upholstery cleaning machine! Or if you want a more versatile option, check out the Little Green Machine!

Vinegar + Water Solution

Tried and true - you can’t go wrong with the basics! Just mix water and vinegar together at a 1:1 ratio, wipe it down, and let it air dry. Vinegar does wonders when removing smells so when in doubt, definitely start with this option.

Charcoal Activated Bags

Open the drawers or doors and toss a few of these bad boys in - they will definitely work after a few days! You can even reuse by placing in direct sunlight so you can use them on multiple pieces. My favorite from the brand Clevast and come in a 4 pack: Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bags

And when all of the above fails…

Use a super strong primer

A super strong primer can go a long way when masking smells! I’ve seen it completely seal a piece of furniture and leave it smelling brand new. Here is my recommendation for a great primer for pretty much every surface: Zinnsser 286258 Bulls Eye 1-2-3 All Surface Primer

Line the drawers with wallpaper

I am a huge fan of using wallpaper to cover up imperfections that are too far gone - including smells! Using wallpaper on the inside of drawers can help seal in the stench. Here are my recommendations for those products: Peel and Stick Wallpapers on Amazon

If you’re still feeling discouraged about the process of removing smells, try checking out my furniture flipping eCourse. I cover how to remove smells but also help you with furniture flipping from start to finish. You can grab it while it’s on sale here!