I mentioned the other day that there was a fabulous thrifted treasure being delivered on Wednesday. Well, it’s here!
It’s a new to me vintage sofa with red velvet cushions!!!
And I love it!
It’s replacing the daybed, which was always meant to be a temporary solution until the perfect sofa came along.
There’s only one slight issue, it smells like attic. As a seasoned thrift shopper and vintage aficionado, I have my own steam cleaner, so it’s gotten two thorough steam cleanings. But that hasn’t helped the smell :(
They don’t sell Febreze in Denmark and I actually abhor the scent of it, but desperate situations call for desperate measures, so I bought a bottle of fabric softener, mixed 1 part to 2 parts water, and sprayed it onto the sofa. The attic smell is gone, but now it and my entire place reeks of fabric softener. I cannot stand scented laundry soaps and fabric softeners, so I should’ve known better.
I’ve been misting it with straight white vinegar, which I’m hoping will cut down on the fabric softener scent, plus it’s a disinfectant, and never hurts to disinfect furniture of unknown origins. I need my place to stop smelling like a laundromat!
If I can’t resolve the smell issue, I may need to donate it back, which will break my heart. If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them :)
P.S. I still haven’t picked a paint color, but now with the red sofa cushions, I’m leaning toward red more than ever.
Lisa says
I’m sorry, I have not ideas about getting rid of odors like that. (a baking soda and water solution, sprayed on?) Anyway, I still would like to see a golden yellow – like your kitty!
The daybed is very nice – are you keeping it?
Sage says
Hi Lisa,
Thanks! If the vinegar doesn’t work, I’ll try baking soda & water. I’m not giving up until I’ve tried everything I can think of.
The daybed is going to be moved to my bedroom. I’ve been borrowing a bed all this time and now I can return it! Or if the sofa wins and I have to donate it back, the daybed will once again be my sofa. Hopefully it won’t come to that.
I love the daybed, but it always seemed sort of messy looking for the living room.
~ Sage
Anonymous says
You could also try this: first wet the couch a little (with plain water), then apply dry baking soda or ground coffee to soak up the moisture, and hopefully also the odor.
Anonymous says
You could try “homemade Febreeze”…1/2 water, 1/2 cheap vodka in a spray bottle. Drop or two of a favorite essential oil is optional.
Anonymous says
Sorry Sage, I don’t have a solution but you should know that regular* fabric softeners (incl. dryer sheets) are horribly toxic. Some of the common ingredients are known carcinogens, neurotoxins, cause CNS disorders, and are dangerous as inhalants and/or via skin contact. You don’t need that for you or Opie… or anyone else if you can’t clean it up.
*By “regular” I mean other than specifically green, non-toxic brand products.
cmg says
I was also going to suggest vodka and water mixed!
LadyJayPee says
There is a “recipe” to make your own Febreeze at http://fakeitfrugal.blogspot.com/2011/07/fake-febreeze.html I haven’t tried it yet, and it DOES call for fabric softener, but if there is a green fabric softener out there and/or an unscented one, maybe you could add your own essential oil scent?
Sage says
Thanks for the suggestions. The baking soda made a big mess, mostly because Opie wouldn’t stay away, so I’ve placed a bowl of coffee grounds under the sofa and kept up with the steaming and vinegar. Now every time I sit on it, I get an intense coffee craving :)
The fabric softener scent is gone, and the attic scent is back, though not as strong, so I’m going to keep at it for a bit before investing in a bottle of vodka (there is no “cheap” vodka here).
~ Sage