Smelly houseguest

[MugginsOverEre]

Had a houseguest (relative) who has some new health issues but has never been exactly hygienic. Tooth brushing was rarely done and now he has some medical issues, he is eyewateringly odorous, namely from not wiping properly when using the bathroom (evidenced by days old dirty underwear). My leather couch is stinking to high heaven after one evening visit and I can't shift the smell. Can anyone recommend any products? The smell is transferring to anyone who sits there. (DS plonked himself down before I could warn him and I could smell it on him after)
I'm going to try disinfecting with my lemon Zoflora next but I'm hoping I won't have to break out the vinegar because I hate the smell of that just as much. Any simple recommendations for something I may have around the home already?

What is wrong with this man?! And why would you let him in your house????!

He's a relative and we do like him. I don't think he is aware of it at all and DH's sister should be saying something, not us. As far as I know he changes his clothes regularly at home but he wears just the same things for two days when he visits us. His visits are rare, maybe once every couple of months. I just need to get rid of the smell, not the good familial relationship.

Try dissolving some bicarb in water and decanting to a spray bottle. Spray liberally!

Thanks @RevoltingHumanHead I'll try that before the Zoflora.

Am wondering something like surgical spirit, something alcohol-y? Obviously spot test it first

Ref your sofa- could you put a throw on it before he comes over. Then you can throw it in the washing machine after

Would he sit on a puppy pad in future or is that too humiliating? puppy pads are great - seat sized and absorbent - but most importantly water proof on the back.

Leather is porous and his shit juices are literally going into the pores of the leather. Wiping it alone won’t do. You do then need bicarbonate soda I think, to go into the pores and absorb.

this behaviour is pretty unacceptable though - sweaty shit is being put onto furniture.

Do you know anyone who has a cat? I’ve found putting some cat litter in an odd sock and tying the top up - so it’s like a plump
sausage, works well in removing odour from shoes/wellies. It might help if you put do the same under the sofa cushions, to get the smell out from inside as well
as disinfecting/bi carb the outside? Or one of those neutrodol solid gel deodorant pots.

OMG. Waterproof cover on anything he s(h)its on. Sorry but that is not on. Why can’t DH have a sensitive word? It’s IN the sofa now, yuck!!!

I'd try throwing a thick fleece throw over the sofa before he arrives, then you can give it a good wash when he leaves..

Would he sit on a puppy pad in future or is that too humiliating? puppy pads are great - seat sized and absorbent - but most importantly water proof on the back.

I was sorely tempted! But no, there was no way of doing it. I did stop DS from changing is bedsheets for our guest (usually guests get a fresh bed and it's changed when the guest leaves. I didn't want my new bedsheets potentially ruined). I did sneakily put a mattress protector under the sheet even if I couldn't do anything in time to save the couch.

Bed is currently stripped and room is airing.

Just a bit more info, relative has always smell a little bit of BO after the first night and no showering but this is new level and not something we were aware of. We knew about his dirty underwear habit but the odour has never been like this. It isn't even that obvious until you sit down and your nose starts wrinkling while you figure out what the whiff is and then the fact it's coming from the seat below you.

I really couldn't deal with this, since it's only occasional visits, can't you just suggest a cafe? It's not worth the headache- and since he doesn't know, he won't be offended anyway.

Could you try burning incense? It is smoky so may not be an option.

Lighting a match makes fart smells disappear, perhaps it would work for the shit smells too?? You say that sil should say something, is it her partner? Is she hygienic? Is there any chance he has a bowel problem that he's struggling with ?

Is he your FIL or BIL?

In which case can your DH or SIL have a polite word with him? If he changes and washes at home he at least needs to do the same at your house.

You are a tolerant woman.

Maybe buy a cheap throw for the sofa and put a puppy pad under it.

Pet enzyme spray removes body leakages/vomit/pee/smells. Simple Solution is good. Test on a hidden area first. It does smell of perfume but nowhere near as foul as Zoflora and never gave me the headaches that Zoflora did, it also wears of fairly quickly.

wears off, not of (problem with fingers/keyboard/both)

They live in a lovely clean house with two bathrooms. SIL is clean and presentable but I do think that BIL doesn't bother with the personal hygiene when away from home (DH and BIL have a joint hobby which he visits overnights for, yeah I know, very MN, but it's not cycling and I can't say what it is because it's quite niche so revealing to anyone who knows us)

And I do think that the medical issues are affecting his bowels, not the ailment themselves but very possibly the medications?

It's so good it even makes my posts invisible ...

Sorry that is unacceptable. So he is clean at home and their house doesn't smell but he comes down to stay with you, shits himself, doesn't wash or change his clothes and you are supposed to just put up with it? Fuck that. Your husband says something or he shouldn't be staying. If he can be clean at his home he can be clean at yours. It's absolutely disgusting what he is doing.

Yes that’d work… by torching the sofa 😂

First thing I would do is to leave the cushions out in the garden for a few days. Fresh air makes a world of difference.

Once a good airing has done its job, only then would I tackle with products.

Another vote for Simple Solutions enzyme spray. Bloody fantastic for animals, kids and smelly relly’s!

You can get an enzyme-based deodorising concentrate on Amazon called Mad Lemon - it's really effective and not too overpowering. I find it better than Simple Solution.

Good news. After a gentle rubbing with a bicarbonate of soda and water paste left to dry there is absolutely no smell remaining.

How died your sister put up with him? What are his medical issues that cause him to smell worse? I'd put pads on sofa, spray with Febreze or something, then a throw over the top to hide the puppy pads - I understand you don't want to embarrass him. Surely he must know he smells or has he gone "nose blind" to it??
I think your sister should have a word. I wouldn't put up with an odourous dh!