Your dog may enjoy sleeping on the cushy chair or soft sofa, but this leaves you with fuzzy furniture and unpleasant smelling upholstery. Fortunately, you can combat these problems with some periodic deep cleaning. The following tips can help. 

Tip #1: Break out the rubber gloves

Fur can be the most persistent and annoying problem on your furniture. Upholstery attachments on the vacuum tend to miss quite a bit of the fuzz. The trick could be as simple as a rubber glove. Put the glove on and rub your hand vigorously on the upholstery. The combination of the static electricity and the rubber-on-fabric contact will cause the fur to ball up, so you can simply pluck it off the furniture. Some pet stores even sell special rubber paddle brushes just for this purpose. Do this at least once a week, or more often if your dog is shedding, to keep the fur under control. 

Tip #2: Sprinkle for odor control

For regular doggy smells, such as that wet dog odor, few things beat baking soda for a quick and easy fix. Simple sprinkle the baking soda liberally over your upholstery and then let it sit for 10 minutes or even overnight if the odors are severe. The deodorizing properties of the baking soda will suck the dog odor right our of the upholstery. Then, vacuum up the baking soda for a fresh smell. You can even mix a few drops of the essential oil of your choice in with the baking soda before sprinkling it on. Just make sure to change or clean your vacuum filter afterward, since the baking soda is fine enough to clog it and prevent airflow. You can use baking soda whenever the smell begins to bother you.

Tip #3: Soak up and treat stains promptly

More serious stains from urine or puke need to be addressed as soon as you notice them. Begin by removing any solids and then laying a white rag, folded over several times, on top of the wet stain . Set a weight on top, like a brick. Leave it in place for 15 minutes or longer so that the rag can soak up as much of the liquid part of the stain as possible. You want a white rag so no dye colors are transferred to the upholstery. If your upholstery covers are removable and washable, you can wash them with your preferred detergent. Otherwise, spray an enzyme pet stain remover onto the stain, soaking it completely. Blot out the cleaner with a white rag, working from the outside of the stain toward the center. Now spray with clear water and repeat the blotting process. You may have to repeat the enzyme cleaner followed by water process several times to get the stain and odor out completely.

For more persistent stains, contact an upholstery cleaner in your area.