cat sick on sofa (sorry...!)

zippy75

Hi folks,

Any ideas on getting rid of cat sick on a sofa that has non-removable covers? It's a normal type of sofa where you can pull out the cushions - foam with sort of Dralon(?) / velvety covers.

I've searched the threads, but most of the tips seem to suggest what I've already done.

Here's what I did so far -

wiped up the excess
sponged down with hot water and oxybleach solution - still smelly
sponged down with hot water / vinegar solution
sprayed with enzyme spray (that smells of lemons!)
dabbed dry, then sprinkled with bicarb - still smelly the day after (tonight)
sprinkled loads of bicarb on again which I will leave on overnight

When I say it's still smelly, I can't work out whether it's 1. cat sick residue, 2. a vague fruity/sour smell that could be from the enzyme spray, 3. the fact that I used so many different things on it and I shouldn't have done that, or 4. that I have a super sensitive nose!

Or, whether the damp / smell has gotten down into the foam which I can't get to as covers aren't removable (my mum's suggestion - thanks for that mum, very helpful:rolleyes: )

My mum also did say that I should have used lukewarm water rather than hot as hot water sets stains/smells, which in hindsight does seem to make sense, but the thing is when I see a pet mess (both varieties!!:eek: ) I just race for the hot water because I imagine the germs...

Is that right about using lukewarm water for stuff?

While I'm on the subject of sofas, does anyone have a good method for giving this sort of sofa a good all-over clean? I saw a method on care2.com using whipped-up detergent mixture, but I'm not sure about that because (a) I don't use laundry detergent (make my own:D ), and (b) I'd worry about it getting musty after rinsing because it wouldn't dry properly in this grotty weather.

I bought a steam cleaner a little while ago to get the place spick and span in time for Christmas, would this be a good method; does anyone have any experience of the best way to use it on chairs and sofas - would you use it on it's own or put some sort of cleaner on first?? I'm keen to give it, and my armchair, a good going-over as I bought them from a charity shop, and although they were in great condition and not smelly (I made sure of that!:rolleyes: ), it'd be nice to know that they're as clean as I can get them.

Anyway, sorry for the long post! This is my first post on the OS board; it has to be my absolute favourite board, you get some fab tips plus a good giggle a lot of the time!

Thank folks,

Zippy

zippy75

anyone...??

help please...!

Pink.

Hi zippy,

Welcome to the Old Style board.

It looks like you've done most things that would be recommended. I think the steam cleaner might be your best bet now. I'll have a look through the older threads and if I can find any links that might help, I'll post them into this thread.

Pink

squeaky

The only thing I can suggest, and it has worked for me, is a really good soaking with febreeze. You'll need to pretty much pour it on rather than spray it so it's sinks in as far as the original sick and your earlier cleaning effort got in. You'll need to go DEEP. Other than that, I've managed to squeeze cushions into the washing machine as a last resort!

tee_pee_2

I have two cats a toddler and a lite coloured settee!! So although it is draylon stuff, and not meant to be washed, I unzipped removed stuffing and banged them in the washer.

TBH it was a risk worth taking cos the settee was looking urgh and it paid off. Last year I paid to have it cleaned and it cost me a bomb and it wasn't as good as when I chuck it is the washer ( the cushions BTW not the whole settee)

other than that I use 1001 upholstery cleaner

zippy75

Thanks Pink, that'd be fab, as much as anything I want to give it a deep down clean and then try to keep it nice from now on.

One of the cats frequently "yaks up" but she normally does it on the floor...first time she chose to aim for the sofa...grr...:mad:

I now intend to engage my brain and put on a throw, then at least that'll be easier to wash if needs be.:rolleyes:

Thanks again,

Zippy

Pink.

As I said earlier I think you've got it pretty well covered, but you might find some ideas from these threads:

How to remove vomit smell from car upholstery

Cleaning up um vomit

Smelly spilt milk...

Incontinence problem

cat's pee!

Sorry I can't help more.

Pink

zippy75

Thanks also squeaky and tee pee, you sneaked those replies in while I was writing mine:D

squeaky, I might give that a go but with an essential oil concoction...the cushions definitely won't go in the wash...if only!!

tee pee, that was my first thought, but although I found the zips on the back of the cushions..... they didn't lead anywhere i.e there were no zipper ends...figure that out, I cant!!

Thanks,

Zippy:)

zippy75

Thanks loads for the links Pink - I'd only found the first one on my searches. I've given them a quick skim and will read them in more depth in a bit...that cat pee one about sniffing the wall at cat's bum height made me :rotfl: ...you don't know how many times I've had to do that...

Actually I've brushed the second lot of bicarb off now and it's a lot better than it was, probably because it's properly dry - there's only a faint smell and that's when I put my nose right on the fabric and sniffed...and I'm not likely to be doing that all the time am I!! Perhaps I'm being a bit too fussy:o I've smelt far worse-smelling sofas.

Anyway thanks to everyone...you really came up trumps!!:T

Zippy

Pink.

I hope it's sorted for you now.

Pink

mentaljessie

I've found 2001 stain remover is the best on my sofa's and carpets, it hasn't let me down yet.