Is it a damp musty odor? If so, just make sure the fabric isn't damp enough for the baking soda to stick. Upholstered pieces tend to absorb moisture from the air in humid climates so pick a day or time when the humidity is low. I'm with you about spray on deodorizers. They just cover up the odor, don't eliminate it. Although, the initial strong odor tends to dissipate after a few minutes and Febreeze does have one I use to freshen the air for cooking orders and such. This one isn't a flowery sweet one but still an odor I wouldn't like lingering around forever.

When I was still at home every spring and fall, my Mother would make us help her carry the couch and chair outside to sit in the sun all day to freshen it up. We actually had to take all the furniture outside so we could help clean the living room and the bedroom! Then after everything, was cleaned, carry it back inside. What a chore. I wonder how many still do that?

Sue

I stuff used dryer sheets into every crag and crevice on my upholstered furniture. I save them in a box on top of the dryer and about once every quarter, I pull the old ones out and trash them and put "new" ones in!

We're having a party tonight at our house. The entire house felt stale so we went to Ace Hardware and rented a carpet cleaner for half a day. Cleaned the carpet, sofas and chairs. The place looks and smells great. Cost: $18.

I don't like the smell of Febreze. Last week I bought a spray bottle of Glade Fabric and Air Odor Eliminator. I like it a lot better. I sprayed it all around my basement, on the furniture and carpeting.

I just rented a carpet cleaner yesterday. Wish I'd have done the couch and loveseat! I've taken the covers off the pillows and washed them in cold water and add Downey and oh my they smell great! I'm to chicken to remove the covers from the cushions themselves and wash!
I agree the carpet cleaner (make sure it has upholstery attachment) is your best route.

I love Zero Odor, leaves a clean scent and really removes odors. I used to order it online but Bed Bath and Beyond carries it now.

marilyn_sue, we take our couch and matresses out to sit in the sun when we open up our lake cabin in the spring. It's not horribly musty but it is slightly musty and I don't like the idea of spraying with Lysol or Febreeze which is wet, anyways! Grandma always said that the suns rays would kill moisture and mildew and they turn out just as though you took them off the clothesline. In the meantime I go over the knotty pine interior with either Scott's Liquid Gold or Murphy's Oil Soap and open the windows and let the fresh air flow through.

Sunshine really works! I've also been tempted to buy one of those hand held steam cleaners. I wonder if anyone would care to comment on them and their experiences steaming fabrics. They look like they'd work fantastic on hard surfaces but I'd like to try them on upholstery and bedding.

I found a room deodorizer called Odorcide, it didn't have a smell. Walmart used to carry it but not anymore. You might check on the internet. For something to smell like that is has to have been wet or stored in a damp basement. I would have to replace it, can't stand that smell or the idea of my company smelling it.

I use OdoBan on the couch & matresses (STINKY DH &DS!) I don't like the scent, so I spray & leave for a few hours. Then the scent is gone & so is the "stinky guy" smell. When DD had her apt. property (NOT her apt., thank goodness!) flooded with hurricane Ike & she was w/o AC for 2 wks. and had to have the windows open for ventilation, her apt. started smelling BAD (dead vegitation, and 1st floor apts. rotting) the smell was all into her carpet, furniture, etc. OdoBan worked for that, too.