How to Clean Pet Stains From a Couch: Upholstery Codes Explained

A pet accident on the couch feels worse than one on the floor. You sit there every day, the cushion foam soaks up liquid like a sponge, and the wrong cleaner can leave a ring, shrink the fabric or set the stain for good. The fix starts before you touch the stain: read the cleaning code on your sofa’s tag. It tells you which kind of cleaner your fabric can take.

This guide explains the W, S, WS and X codes, then walks through urine, vomit and poop on upholstery, how to deal with soaked cushion foam, and what to avoid.

Step one: find the cleaning code

Most upholstered furniture has a tag under the seat cushions, under the frame or on the back of the sofa with a single code letter. Furniture makers use these codes to tell you what the fabric tolerates. Here is what they mean, based on the fabric care guide from furniture maker CR Laine:

W: water-based cleaners. You can use a water-based cleaning agent, such as the foam from a mild detergent or a non-solvent upholstery shampoo. Apply with a soft brush and vacuum once dry.
S: solvent only. Use only a mild, water-free solvent or dry cleaning product, in a well-ventilated room. Avoid water-based cleaners and steam, which can shrink or stain the fabric.
WS (or SW): either. You can use a water-based cleaner or a mild solvent. Do not saturate the fabric.
X: vacuum only. Do not use any foam or liquid cleaner. Clean only by vacuuming or light brushing, and call a professional upholstery cleaner for stains.

Whatever the code, test any product on a hidden spot first, such as the back or underside of a cushion, and let it dry to check for color change. If there is no tag, treat the fabric as if it were coded X until you know more, and ask the manufacturer or a professional.

What this means for pet messes

Most pet stain and odor products are water-based. That makes them a good fit for W and WS fabrics, as long as the product label says it is suitable for upholstery. On S fabrics, a water-based product can leave water marks or shrink the fabric, so check with the manufacturer or a professional cleaner before you use one. On X fabrics, call a professional.

The golden rule: use as little liquid as you can

Upholstery is not carpet. Under the fabric there is foam, batting and often a wooden frame, and anything that soaks through is hard to get back out. The University of Georgia Extension also warns that overwetting upholstery can make the fabric’s finish migrate and leave a ring around the treated area. So:

Blot, do not pour.
Apply cleaner to a white cloth and dab, rather than spraying the fabric directly, unless the product label says otherwise.
Work from the outside of the stain toward the middle so it does not spread.
Dry the area well with clean towels, then let air and a fan finish the job.

Pet urine on a couch

Blot immediately. With gloves on, press paper towels or a white cloth firmly onto the spot. Replace them until they come up barely damp. Do not rub.
Check how deep it went. Unzip the cushion cover if you can and look at the foam. If the urine reached the foam, you will need to treat the foam too (see below).
Treat the fabric (W or WS codes). Apply a pet urine odor product suitable for upholstery, following the label. The ASPCA recommends an enzymatic cleanser designed to neutralize pet odors. Use enough to reach as far as the urine did, but no more.
Let it work, then blot and dry. Leave it for the time on the label, blot up the excess, and let the area dry completely with good airflow.
Check by smell once dry. If the smell is still there, treat again. A UV black light helps you see if you missed part of the spot. Our black light guide explains how.

Cat urine on furniture follows the same steps but often needs more rounds. See our guide on how to get cat urine smell out for more on why cats come back to the same spot.

Vomit on a couch

Lift the solids with a spatula or stiff card, sliding under them rather than pressing down.
Sprinkle an absorbent powder over any wet residue, wait 10 to 15 minutes, then vacuum it up.
Dab with a cloth dampened with cool water (W and WS fabrics), then treat with a pet stain and odor product suitable for upholstery.
Blot and dry fully.

For more detail, including yellow bile stains and when to call the vet, see how to clean pet vomit from carpet.

Poop or diarrhea on a couch

Wear gloves. Gently scrape the solids into a bag without forcing anything into the fibers.
For diarrhea, do not wipe. Scoop what you can and cover the rest with absorbent powder before you add any liquid.
Dab with a cool, damp cloth and treat with a pet stain and odor product suitable for upholstery.
Blot, dry, and wash your hands with soap and running water, as the CDC recommends after cleaning up pet waste.

Our guide to cleaning dog poop and diarrhea out of carpet covers hygiene and the warning signs to watch for in your dog.

When urine reaches the cushion foam

Foam holds urine and smell long after the fabric is clean. If the cushion has a zip:

Take the foam out of the cover. Check the cover’s care label before washing it; some covers are not meant to be machine washed and can shrink.
Blot the foam, then apply a pet urine odor product directly to the affected area.
Press it gently with towels to spread it through the wet area and soak up the excess.
Let the foam air dry completely, ideally outdoors in the shade or near a fan. Thick foam can take a day or more. Do not put the cover back on until both are fully dry.

If a cushion has been soaked many times, cleaning may not fully fix it. Replacement foam is often cheaper than a new sofa.

Leather, faux leather and outdoor cushions

Leather and faux leather: wipe up the mess quickly, then follow the furniture maker’s care instructions. Many fabric cleaners are not meant for leather. Test anything on a hidden spot.
Outdoor cushions: these are often made to handle water, but check the label before you hose or machine wash them.

What to avoid on upholstery

Steam and hot water on pet urine. Humane World for Animals warns that heat can permanently set urine stain and odor. Steam is also off-limits on S-coded fabrics.
Ammonia-based cleaners. The ASPCA notes that urine contains ammonia, so cleaning with ammonia can draw a pet back to the same spot.
Soaking the cushion. More liquid means more to dry and a higher chance of rings and a musty smell.
Mixing products. Never combine cleaners, especially bleach with ammonia, which can release dangerous fumes.
Covering the smell. Fabric fresheners mask the smell for you, not for your pet.

For everyday hair and drool rather than accidents, see how to clean pet hair and drool off a sofa.

A fishy smell on the sofa after your dog lay there? See how to get dog anal gland smell out of furniture and bedding.

Stop it happening again

A washable throw or waterproof cover on your pet’s favorite spot makes the next accident much easier to deal with.
If a pet that was house-trained starts going on furniture, talk to your veterinarian. The ASPCA says the first step with any elimination problem is to rule out a medical cause.
For puppies and newly adopted dogs, see our potty training basics.

Car seats are upholstery too, with less airflow and more heat. See pet accidents in the car for seats, car carpet and crates.

Keep a kit within reach

Couch accidents are easiest to fix in the first few minutes. Keeping gloves, an absorbent powder, a stain and odor product, a brush and a black light together saves time when it matters. Our Pet Cleanup Kit includes all five in one pouch. Always check your sofa’s cleaning code and the product label before you start.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the cleaning code on my couch?

Usually on a tag under the seat cushions, on the underside of the frame, or on the back of the sofa. It is often a single letter: W, S, WS (or SW) or X.

Can I use a pet odor spray on an S-code couch?

Most pet odor products are water-based, and S-coded fabric is meant to be cleaned with water-free solvents only. Ask the furniture maker or a professional upholstery cleaner before using one.

Why is there a ring on my couch after cleaning?

Usually because the fabric got too wet, so the finish or dirt moved to the edge of the damp area as it dried. Use less liquid, dab from the outside in, and dry the area quickly.

How do I get pet urine smell out of couch cushions?

Treat the foam, not just the cover. Remove the foam, apply a pet urine odor product directly to the affected part, and let it dry completely before putting the cover back on.

Can I steam clean a couch after a pet accident?

Not on urine, because heat can set the odor. And never on S- or X-coded fabric. Use a cool, low-moisture method instead.

Sources

CR Laine: Fabric cleaning guide (cleaning codes)
University of Georgia Extension: Remove stains from feces (upholstery caution on overwetting)
Humane World for Animals: How to remove pet stains and odors
ASPCA: Urine marking in cats
CDC: Dogs (Healthy Pets)

This guide is general cleaning information. Always follow your furniture maker’s care instructions and the cleaning product’s label. If your pet’s bathroom habits change, contact your veterinarian.