How To Wash Couch Foam

Things Needed

  • Bathtub

  • Spray hose

  • Dish soap

  • Clean, flat drying surface

Tip

If worse comes to worse, and you absolutely cannot get the pet odor out of the couch foam, some fabric stores sell foam that can be cut to the size of the original foam cushion.

There is no sense cleaning the couch foam without cleaning the fabric covers, as well. Most fabric couch covering is dry clean only, but some people have success rinsing the cushions by hand in cold water and a mild detergent, then placing them in a dryer on a very low heat setting.

You can also try soaking the fabric with a pet urine enzyme to release the urine odor. Just be sure to test a small area first, to ensure that you do not ruin the fabric.

Warning

Do not replace the fabric covers unless the foam is completely dry. Any dampness at all will cause mildew to form, which can also have an unappealing smell, not to mention that any type of mildew growing in the home is unhealthy.

Let's face it, our pets have minds of their own and what is a treasure to us may mean nothing to them. Unfortunately, this may include your favorite couch. Pet urine on a couch can be horrifying when you first notice it, and even worse as the smell penetrates the room days or weeks later. But if your couch cushions are made of foam, and you can zip off the fabric covers—your worries are over. Foam is washable.

Step 1

Remove the fabric covers from all the couch cushions that have been affected by the pet stain. If the couch pillows are foam filled and are removable, you can unzip those as well.

Step 2

Place the couch foam in your bathtub and use a spray hose to wet each piece of foam with warm water. Pet urine can sink deep into the foam, so don't just wet the surface; really saturate it.

Step 3

Use a mild detergent to clean the couch foam. Ordinary dish soap works well and leaves a pleasant scent. Work the dish soap into each piece of couch foam, giving each one a good sudsing.

Step 4

Rinse each piece of foam well with the spray hose to remove the soap suds. Rinse and squeeze the dish soap from the couch foam until each one is completely free of suds. After rinsing, continue to squeeze the foam pieces until all the excess water is released and they are only slightly damp.

Step 5

Lay the cushions out to dry in the sun on a clean, flat surface. If the weather does not allow for this type of drying, find a warm area of your home for the foam to lie flat and dry out.

Step 6

Replace the fabric covers when the couch foam is completely dry. Repeat the process whenever necessary.

Recommended