Essential Oils for Removing Pet Odors from Upholstery

If you’re a pet parent, you know that the love and loyalty pets bring into your life can be slightly overshadowed by one lingering issue, pet odor. Whether it’s dog smell on the couch, a pet stain on your carpet, or that stubborn odor that just won’t leave, living with pets often means tackling unwanted smells. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to rely on harsh chemicals to keep your home fresh. With the right essential oil, a little effort, and some natural ingredients, you can remove pet odor from upholstery, carpets, and furniture with ease.

In this article, we will explore some of the best essential oils that will help you remove that pet odour from your upholstery. Also, we will explore some DIY recipes that you can create using natural ingredients found at your home. So, let's get started, and dive into the world of essential oils. 

Understanding Pet Odor: Why It Lingers in Upholstery

Upholstery and carpets are highly absorbent surfaces that easily trap pet hair, urine, dander, and oils. If not cleaned thoroughly, these elements break down over time and cause odors that seep deep into cushions and fabrics. Additionally, if your dog smell from your couch isn’t addressed quickly, it becomes even harder to remove.

Moisture is a key culprit. A damp pet stain, if not dried completely, becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to a strong odor that just won’t budge. That’s where essential oils come in: they don’t just mask unpleasant odor, they help neutralize pet odors at the source.

Why Use Essential Oils for Pet Odor Removal?

If you're a pet owner, you know that pet odors can sneak into every corner of your home—especially your upholstery, carpets, and favorite lounging spots. Whether it’s dog smell embedded in your couch or a stubborn pet stain on the rug, it’s easy to reach for commercial sprays that promise a quick fix. However, these often contain harsh chemicals that simply mask odors and may pose health risks to both humans and pets. That’s where essential oils shine as a powerful, natural alternative.

Here’s why using essential oils for pet odors is one of the best home care choices for dog owners and pet parents:

Antibacterial and Antiviral Properties

Many essential oils, such as tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus, have proven antibacterial and antiviral effects. When applied to areas affected by pet stains, these oils work at the microbial level to eliminate odors caused by bacteria, not just cover them up. This makes them especially helpful for treating spots where pet urine may have seeped into your carpet or upholstery.

Natural Deodorizers That Leave Your Home Smelling Fresh

Unlike synthetic air fresheners, which may contain artificial fragrance and toxins, essential oils like lemongrass, orange, and lavender offer clean, crisp aroma that naturally combat pet odors. These natural solutions help maintain a home smelling fresh while avoiding the overpowering chemical scent that can linger after using store-bought products.

Safe for Use on Carpets and Furniture (When Properly Diluted)

When mixed with baking soda, vinegar, or water in a spray bottle, essential oils can be safely applied to most carpets and furniture without leaving stains or residues, provided they are diluted correctly. Whether you're looking to remove dog smell out of your couch or treat a pet stain on your favorite armchair, these oils are a gentle and effective tool.

Always do a patch test on delicate fabrics like leather or silk.

Wide Variety of Fragrances to Match Your Preferences

From calming lavender to refreshing eucalyptus and energizing citrus, essential oils for pet odors come in a broad range of scents that don’t just eliminate odor, but also create a personalized home freshener experience. You can even experiment with essential oil recipes to find blends that soothe both you and your pets.

A Versatile Solution for Every Pet Odor Problem

Whether you're trying to get the dog smell out of your couch cushions, looking for a DIY pet odor spray, or creating a carpet cleaner that doubles as a pet fresh scent booster, essential oil is a powerful and flexible remedy. From daily maintenance to deep cleaning, these oils offer ways to remove unwanted odors while keeping your home safe, natural, and pleasantly aromatic.

Best Essential Oils for Pet Odors

When your couch, carpet, or favorite blanket starts holding onto that lingering dog smell, there’s no need to turn to artificial sprays. These essential oils for pet odors offer a natural, safe, and highly effective way to neutralize, eliminate, and even prevent pet stains and odors from taking over your home. Here's a closer look at the top essential oils that can help you remove pet odor, freshen your space, and keep your home feeling pet fresh.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is a top choice for households with pets thanks to its soothing fragrance, gentle nature, and reliable antibacterial properties. It’s excellent for both deodorizing upholstery and calming stressed pets. Add a few drops to a spray bottle with water and vinegar to gently mist over carpets and furniture. This oil helps eliminate pet odors without overwhelming sensitive noses and keeps your home smelling calm and clean.

Lemon Essential Oil

Zesty and bright, lemon essential oil is one of the best natural deodorizers and is particularly effective as a stain and odor remover. It cuts through the strong dog smell that clings to upholstery and leaves behind a fresh, citrusy aroma. It also helps lighten old pet stains when used in DIY pet odor sprays. Just be sure to dilute properly, especially when using on colored fabrics to avoid discoloration.

Tea Tree Essential Oil (Use With Caution)

Tea tree oil has powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it highly effective at fighting bacteria associated with pet stains and dog odor. It’s best used in well-ventilated areas and only in very diluted concentrations, as it can be toxic to pets if ingested or overexposed. That said, a few drops in a baking soda deodorizer or DIY pet stain remover can go a long way in eliminating pet odors at the microbial level.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Cool and refreshing, eucalyptus oil is a natural odor eliminator and air purifier. It’s great for neutralizing pet odors from carpets and furniture, especially when combined with baking soda in deodorizing powders. It helps clear musty smells and also has mild pest-repelling properties, making it a two-in-one solution for dog owners. Avoid direct use on pet bedding without dilution.

Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium has a floral, slightly rosy scent that adds a luxurious touch to any room freshener while effectively eliminating pet odors. It’s particularly helpful in DIY pet sprays, where it helps neutralize both dog smell and cat urine odors. Known for its skin-safe and mood-balancing effects, geranium oil is an excellent option for homes that prefer a lighter, non-citrusy scent.

Orange (Sweet Orange) Essential Oil

Sweet and uplifting, orange essential oil not only helps to get rid of pet odors, but it also creates a cheerful environment. It pairs well with vinegar and water to make a great spray bottle solution for couches, throw pillows, and even dog beds. You can also add a few drops to a load of laundry to help remove dog smell from blankets and towels.

Cedarwood Essential Oil

Cedarwood has a deep, woodsy scent that acts as a natural deodorizer and stain and odor remover, particularly for persistent dog smell in upholstery. It’s also known to repel insects like fleas and ticks, making it useful for pet areas. Sprinkle baking soda and essential oil blend under couch cushions or on pet beds for a long-lasting pet fresh effect.

Patchouli Essential Oil

Earthy and musky, patchouli is ideal for covering stronger dog odors while adding a grounding, spa-like fragrance to your space. It’s highly effective when used as part of a DIY pet odor carpet powder or couch refresher. Just mix it with baking soda, let sit overnight, and vacuum it out to help get dog smell out of fabric surfaces.

Clary Sage Essential Oil

Clary sage has calming, antibacterial properties that make it suitable for neutralizing pet odors in calm indoor environments. It has a sweet, herbaceous scent that pairs well with lavender and orange, making it ideal for custom essential oil recipes. Use it in spray bottles for pet blankets or to revive carpet and furniture between cleanings.

Basil Essential Oil

Fresh and slightly peppery, basil oil is a unique but surprisingly effective oil to eliminate pet odors. It’s especially useful in high-traffic areas where pet stains are common. Add a few drops to your diy cleaning solution to help combat pet odors while also purifying the air and discouraging bacteria growth.

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Use in Moderation)

While ylang ylang has a very potent floral scent, it can be used in small amounts to mask unpleasant odors from pet stains and general dog smell. This oil adds a luxurious tone to fabric fresheners, especially when mixed with citrus oils. Use sparingly and avoid overuse in pet-heavy areas, as it can be overwhelming in high concentrations.

DIY Essential Oil Recipes to Remove Pet Odor

Upholstery Freshener Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 cup distilled water

• 1 tbsp white vinegar

• 10 drops lavender oil

• 5 drops lemon essential oil

• Spray bottle

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle.

2. Shake well before use.

3. Lightly mist over your upholstery (do a patch test first).

Benefits: Helps remove dog smell, refresh your couch, and eliminate pet odors naturally.

Baking Soda + Essential Oil Carpet Powder

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda

• 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil

• 5 drops orange oil

Instructions:

1. Mix oils and baking soda in a bowl.

2. Sprinkle over your carpet or pet's bed.

3. Let sit for several hours or overnight, then vacuum thoroughly.

Effect: Acts as a natural pet odor eliminator that also absorbs pet stains and odors.

Dog Smell Out of Couch Paste

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp baking soda

• 2 tbsp water

• 5 drops geranium or lavender oil

Instructions:

1. Mix into a thick paste.

2. Rub onto affected couch area with a cloth.

3. Let it sit for 30 minutes.

4. Wipe clean with damp cloth and let dry completely.

Use Case: Great for when your couch smells like dog and you need to neutralize the scent fast.

DIY Pet Stain Remover

Ingredients:

• ½ cup white vinegar

• ½ cup water

• 1 tbsp baking soda

• 10 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

1. Combine in a spray bottle.

2. Shake and spray directly onto the pet stain.

3. Let sit for 5 minutes, then blot with a clean towel.

4. Repeat as needed and allow to dry completely.

Function: Works as both a stain and odor remover for dog and cat urine.

Other Effective Measures for Removing Pet Odors from Upholstery

Vacuum Upholstery Frequently

Pet dander, hair, and tracked-in dirt contribute to the buildup of unpleasant odor. Use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment to clean couch cushions, seams, and under the pillows at least once a week. This prevents particles from settling deep into fabric.

Use Enzymatic Cleaners for Pet Urine

For tough pet stains, especially dog and cat urine, an enzymatic cleaner breaks down the proteins that cause lingering smells. Use these products before applying essential oil for pet odor to ensure the area is completely neutralized.

Sprinkle Baking Soda Overnight

Baking soda is a tried-and-true odor eliminator. Sprinkle baking soda over your couch or chair, let it sit for hours or overnight, then vacuum it up. Combine with a few drops of essential oil to enhance the fragrance.

Steam Clean Your Upholstery

For deeper odor removal, use a steam cleaner with a fabric-safe detergent or a mix of vinegar and water. Steam helps kill bacteria that cause odors and revives your furniture’s appearance.

Launder Washable Covers or Throw Pillows

If your couch or chair has removable covers, wash them regularly. Add a few drops of essential oil to your laundry or use a vinegar rinse to help get dog smell out of the fabric. Just make sure clothes are completely dry before putting them back on.

Improve Airflow and Ventilation

Odors linger longer in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Open windows regularly or run an air purifier to help circulate fresh air and reduce lingering pet odors around your upholstery and living room.

Use Dryer Sheets Between Cleanings

Tuck an unscented dryer sheet or a sachet filled with baking soda and essential oil between couch cushions to act as a passive odor eliminator. Replace weekly for a constant fresh and clean scent.

Keep Your Pet Clean and Groomed

One of the best ways to remove pet odor from your furniture is to stop it at the source. Bathe your pet regularly, brush out loose fur, and wipe their paws after walks. A clean pet equals a cleaner couch.

Rotate Cushions and Flip Sides

Cushions and armrests tend to absorb the most oils and smells from pets. Rotating and flipping them every couple of weeks prevents one area from accumulating all the dog odor and helps neutralize pet odors evenly.

Use Fabric-Friendly Protective Covers

Consider using washable, water-resistant covers for couches and chairs your pets frequently use. These can be removed and cleaned easily, reducing direct contact between pets and furniture fabrics.

Risks and Precautions of Using Essential Oils for Pet Odors

Essential oils for pet odors can be powerful, safe, and effective, but only when used correctly. Pets are more sensitive to strong scents and certain compounds than humans, so it's important to approach essential oil use with caution to keep your home free of both unpleasant odor and potential harm.

Some Essential Oils Are Toxic to Pets

Certain oils, including tea tree, peppermint, clove, cinnamon, pine, and wintergreen, can be toxic to dogs and cats if ingested, inhaled in large amounts, or absorbed through the skin. Even if you’re not applying oils directly to your pet, residues on upholstery, carpets, or bedding can be absorbed through contact.

Precaution: Always check pet safety data before using any oil. For example, while tea tree oil is great at eliminating pet stains and odors, it should be used in well-ventilated areas and only in small, diluted amounts.

Always Dilute Before Use

Never use essential oils undiluted. Concentrated oils can irritate skin, lungs, and eyes, both yours and your pet’s. For home use on carpets and furniture, always mix oils with baking soda, vinegar, or water in a spray bottle. This ensures the oil disperses safely without overwhelming the senses or causing residue buildup.

Avoid Direct Application on Pets

Even pet-safe essential oils should not be applied directly to your dog or cat’s fur or skin unless approved by a vet. Pets groom themselves by licking, and even a small amount of oil can lead to ingestion. Also, dogs and especially cats process compounds differently, and some oils can build up in their liver over time.

Tip: Keep your oils away from pet toys, food bowls, and bedding unless you're using highly diluted blends with pet-safe ingredients like lavender or chamomile.

Watch for Symptoms of Overexposure

If your pet has been exposed to essential oils in unsafe amounts, they may show symptoms like drooling, vomiting, difficulty breathing, lethargy, or trembling. Strong odors may also cause pets to become agitated, anxious, or withdrawn—especially in cats, who have an acute sense of smell.

Action Step: If you notice any of these signs after using essential oils, ventilate your space immediately and contact your vet.

Use a Pet-Friendly Diffuser Approach

If using a diffuser, ensure that your pet can leave the room freely. Never trap a pet in an enclosed space with active diffuser vapor. Stick to short diffusion sessions and use mild oils like lavender, frankincense, or geranium, which are generally safer when used responsibly.

Store Oils Securely

Keep all essential oils out of reach of pets. Curious pets may knock over bottles or chew on droppers, risking direct ingestion. Always use an old cloth to clean up spills and dispose of it safely.

Patch Test Surfaces First

Before spraying any essential oil recipe onto your couch or carpet, test a small hidden area to ensure it doesn’t discolor or damage the fabric. Oils like lemon or orange can be acidic and may affect certain materials.

Conclusion

Pet parents know that while furry companions bring love and joy, they can also leave behind persistent odors that cling to furniture and carpets. Fortunately, with the right approach and a few simple home remedies, you can effectively get rid of even the most strong smell out of the couch or carpet. Whether you're working with a leather couch, fabric cushions, or deep-pile rugs, natural solutions like essential oils offer safe and effective options.

Essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, orange, and cedarwood are more than just pleasant fragrances, they’re powerful allies that absorb odors, fight bacteria, and leave your space smelling fresh and clean. You can use a fabric freshener, a baking soda and oil blend, or a diluted spray as part of your weekly carpet cleaning routine to prevent odors before they set in.

The best part? These oils can help you not just mask, but help get rid of the source of the problem entirely. For pet households, developing a consistent system with these tips for pet odor management, like vacuuming, rotating cushions, and regular spot treatments, makes all the difference.

Looking for easy tips to get started? Try sprinkling baking soda with a few drops of essential oil overnight or using vinegar-based sprays for quick refreshes. These small efforts go a long way in maintaining a pet fresh space that feels just as good as it smells.

With the right oils to use, you’ll have everything you need to reclaim your upholstery, and your peace of mind.