If you have pets, you know the problem: the sofa has barely been cleaned before the first hairs appear. Add paw prints, drool, odours and the occasional "accident" on the carpet. Here's how to keep your upholstered furniture clean despite dogs and cats.

Removing Pet Hair: The Best Methods

Sofa and Armchair

Rubber gloves: Slightly dampen and stroke across the fabric — the hair rolls together
Lint roller: For quick results in between
Vacuum with upholstery attachment: Most thorough method, at least twice a week
Damp microfibre cloth: Particularly effective for short hair

Carpet

Rubber broom: Pulls hair from fibres before vacuuming
Vacuum with brush roller: Most effective for fitted carpets
Vacuum regularly: With pets, at least 3 times a week

Neutralising Odours

Pet odours settle deep in upholstery fabrics. Simple airing is often not enough.

What Helps:

Baking soda: Sprinkle on the sofa, leave for 30 minutes, vacuum up. Effectively binds odours.
Vinegar water spray: 1:1 mixture of water and vinegar. Spray onto the fabric and let dry. The vinegar smell dissipates and takes other odours with it.
Regular airing: Take cushions and throws outside

What Doesn't Help:

Room sprays and scented candles — only mask, don't eliminate
Too much moisture — can lead to mould
Aggressive cleaners — can damage the fabric

Treating Pet Stains

Urine Stains (Sofa or Carpet)

Immediately absorb with kitchen paper — as much as possible
Dilute with cold water (not warm — it fixes the odour!)
Apply enzyme cleaner — breaks down organic residue
Let dry and repeat if needed

Vomit

Carefully remove solid matter
Treat with lukewarm water and mild washing-up liquid
Work from the outside in
Allow to dry thoroughly

Paw Prints and Dirt

Let rough dirt dry, then vacuum
Wipe the rest with a damp cloth
For light fabrics: use upholstery foam

Prevention Is Better Than Cleaning

Throws and covers on favourite spots — easily washable
Wipe paws after walks
Regular brushing of your pet reduces hair by up to 80%
Claw care protects upholstery from damage

When Should a Professional Step In?

We recommend pet owners have a professional deep clean at least once or twice a year. Our sofa cleaning with extraction method reaches deep-seated dirt that home remedies simply can't remove. Regular carpet cleaning is equally important for pet owners.

Many of our clients in Laim, Giesing and Trudering are pet owners who regularly book our cleaning service.

Professional Upholstery Cleaning for Pet Owners

At Octoputz, we understand the particular challenges of households with pets. We offer sofa cleaning and carpet cleaning with specialist enzyme cleaners that permanently eliminate pet odours.

Sofa (3-seater) from €89 | Carpet from €3.50/m²

Book an appointment: 0176 651 58 719 or via WhatsApp.

Pets and Upholstered Furniture: Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners