Get your furniture looking brand new again with the right cleaner
Removing spills from your soft surfaces can be difficult. And you might be thinking that you need to get a replacement for your couch due to food messes and pet stains.
But with an upholstery cleaner, you can breathe new life into your furniture. Dirt and stains can disappear with the right cleaning solution or upholstery cleaning machine.
You’ll be able to see the best upholstery cleaners that are available and pick one that’s the right type, price, and works on the right materials for you. Cleaning your upholstery will be quick and easy once you’ve read our reviews.
Our Top Picks
The HouseWire earns a commission through the following independently chosen links at no additional cost to you.| Best Upholstery Cleaners of 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Best for Stains Woolite InstaClean Remover |
| ||
 | Best for Pet Hair Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator |
| ||
 | Best Leather /Protector Leather Honey Leather Cleaner |
| ||
 | Best Cleaning Solution Chemical Guys Foaming |
| ||
 | Best Handheld Bissell SpotClean ProHeat |
| ||
 | Best for Cars Hoover Onepwr Spotless Go |
| ||
 | Best Natural Earthworm Upholstery Cleaner |
|
Reviews
“Permanent stain removal in 30 seconds”! This is Woolite’s promise about their cleaning solution that will have your upholstery clean as fast as you can spray it all!
You can use this on stains made by mud, drinks, grease, make-up, and oil. The oxy stain destroyers in the formula work as soon as they’ve hit the surface of your furniture to lift and remove all these marks.
This cleaner can also be sprayed on your carpets, rugs, and in your car. And if you have pets, you can opt for the pet stain remover product and/or pet brush head to tackle those specific types of stains.
What We Like
Leaves A Fresh Smell
Many customers said that they liked the smell left behind once they’d finished cleaning upholstery. It wasn’t too strong or offensive!Value for Money
Several users commented on the price of this product. They thought it was reasonable for 2 bottles of the solution.Powerful Remover
Lots of reviewers thought that this was really good at removing stains that had been caused by everything from pets and children to chocolate and wine. And they didn’t need to use much effort to scrub them off either.What We Don’t Like
Only One Sprayer
Although you get 2 bottles of cleaner in this pack, there’s only one sprayer. Some customers said this was a shame as you couldn’t, for example, leave one in the house and one in the garage/car, etc.Technical Specs
| Type | Spray |
| Capacity | 2 x 650 milliliters |
| Weight | 1.38 pounds |
| Cord Length | Cordless (spray bottle) |
2. Best for Pet Hair : Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Stain & Odor Eliminator
This formula is color-safe and doesn’t contain chlorine, so it’s safe to use around your children and pets. Plus the Carpet and Rug Institute have given it their seal of approval so you know it’s suitable for your flooring.
And it can be sprayed onto so many different surfaces. This includes upholstery, carpets, tile, hardwood, laminate, concrete, artificial grass, and even your trash cans.
What We Like
Great Customer Service
Reviewers were very complimentary about the manufacturer’s customer service if they had any issues. And they provided detailed instructions to help with the cleaning process.Doesn’t Discolor
Many users were satisfied that this formula removed their stains, but did not cause any damage. Their carpets and furniture weren’t left discolored.Prevents Further Stains
Several customers commented on how, because this carpet stain remover took away stains and pet odors, it stopped their cats and dogs from urinating in the same areas repeatedly.What We Don’t Like
Unpleasant Smell Left Behind
Some feedback suggested that a strong, unpleasant smell lingered afterward. A few weren’t keen on this and had to open windows to try to eliminate it.Technical Specs
| Type | Spray |
| Capacity | 2 x 32 ounces |
| Weight | 2 pounds |
| Cord Length | Cordless (spray bottle) |
This solution is all-natural as it’s chemical-free, and it’s odorless so there’ll be no lingering smells. And it’s not just for furniture – use it on the leather seats in your car, or your bags and shoes, or motorcycle gear.
Simply dilute the solution with plain water and it’s ready to use. Plus it doesn’t matter what color the leather is, as you can apply it to black, white, brown, red, yellow, and many more colored items.
What We Like
Lasts a Long Time
The bottle may not look very big, but as you only need 1 ounce of solution to 8 ounces of water, a little does go a long way. So you won’t need to restock for a long time.Restores Furniture
Many users said that, unlike other upholstery cleaners they’d used, this cleaner removed dirt AND restored their furniture. Their chairs and couches were left looking like new!Easy to Use
Customers said that it was really easy to use this product. They could make up as much solution as they needed each time, apply, and leave to dry.What We Don’t Like
Bottle Can Leak
Some users said that the bottle top didn’t always go on very well and then the product could leak out. This would be something to keep an eye on.Technical Specs
| Type | Liquid |
| Capacity | 4 ounces (concentrated so mix with water) |
| Weight | 4 ounces |
| Cord Length | Cordless (bottle) |
4. Best Cleaning Solution : Chemical Guys Foaming Citrus Fabric Clean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
The cleaner is infused with oxygen so that it’ll lift and separate dirt particles to remove messes from your furniture. And it’s a professional, low-moisture formula so you won’t be left with watermarks after using it on your couches and carpets.
This upholstery cleaner also contains patented odor elimination enzymes – so you’ll be left with a fresh, citrus scent! Plus it’ll effectively remove different types of stains, including those left by drinks, natural oils, mud, pets, and others.
What We Like
Price
As one customer says – “a little goes a long way” as the price offers good value. And many others agreed, as they said that this upholstery cleaner lasted them a long time as you only need a small amount to remove most stains.Versatility
The types of surfaces that different users applied this solution to were very varied, demonstrating that it really can be used all around the house! These included in the car, couches, carpets, cloth seats, floor mats, and more.Great for Cars
Many reviewers commented on how well this product worked on their car interiors. It was great at removing stains on their seats, mats, and carpets, and also left a lovely smell behind afterward.What We Don’t Like
Need to Purchase Separate Bottle
A few users weren’t happy that they needed to buy a separate spray bottle in order to use this upholstery cleaner. If you prefer an all-in-one solution that can be applied directly from the bottle, then another option might be best for you.Technical Specs
| Type | Liquid |
| Capacity | 64 ounces (concentrated so mix with water) |
| Weight | 4.5 pounds |
| Cord Length | Cordless (bottle) |
5. Best Handheld : Bissell SpotClean ProHeat Spot and Stain Carpet Cleaner
Simply fill up the removable tank with tap water and add some of the Professional Spot and Stain Oxy liquid cleaner that’s included. The unit is small enough to move around your home so you can use it to clean all over the house.
Bissell has created a Heatwave Technology that keeps a constant water temperature throughout the cleaning process. And the hose tool is self-cleaning, meaning there’s less work for you to do in maintaining this product unlike with other carpet cleaners.
What We Like
Easy Storage
This portable carpet cleaner is light and compact. Customers said it was easy to store in their cupboard and didn’t take up too much space.Great for Pet Owners
Many users said this was a must-have product for pet owners. It was very effective at removing vomit, pet accidents, messes and odors, leaving a nice clean scent after they’d cleaned their upholstery.Good for Spot Cleaning
As its name suggests, this is a great upholstery cleaner for targeting on-the-spot stains. Feedback from users said it was really easy to get out and use quickly for all those small stains that you find in your household.What We Don’t Like
Short Cord
Some users were disappointed with the cord length. This made cleaning things like their stairs and cars more difficult as they had to unplug and replug the carpet and upholstery cleaner several times.Technical Specs
| Type | Carpet cleaner |
| Capacity | 9 ounces |
| Weight | 7 pounds |
| Cord Length | Cordless |
6. Best for Cars : Hoover ONEPWR Spotless GO Cordless Upholstery Cleaner
The dual tanks ensure that clean and dirty water are kept separate, so you know you’re always cleaning with fresh water. You’ll also get a ONEPWR battery that is compatible with all of Hoover’s ONEPWR products for easy charging.
And the multi-purpose tool can be used to scrub and lift dirt and debris before you start to tackle any embedded messes. Then for tough stains, you can spray on some Hoover cleaning solution.
What We Like
Lightweight
Users loved how easy it was to clean their upholstery with this model. It felt really light and hardly any effort was required to transport it around their house or to their car.Multi-Functional
You can use this cleaner anywhere in your home, or your car or RV. But it’s also handy for on-the-spot clean-ups of both dry and liquid messes, so customers loved the convenience they got when they invested in this product.Easy to Maintain
Reviewers said that it was easy to clean this machine. The tanks and tools come off easily for rinsing and once they were dry, it was easy to reattach them.What We Don’t Like
Short Battery Life
Several users said that this upholstery cleaner only lasted for at most about 10 to 15 minutes before the battery died. This is ok for quick messes or stains, but not the best cleaning option if you have a lot of chores to do.Technical Specs
| Type | Carpet Cleaner |
| Capacity | 8 ounces |
| Weight | 7 pounds |
| Cord Length | Cordless (bottle) |
This earthworm carpet spray is fragrance-free and safe to use around your children and pets. And it’s suitable to apply on your carpets, curtains, couch cushions, and mattresses.
Plus, Earthworm has approval from the Carpet and Rug Institute for this product. So you know you’ll be in good hands with their upholstery cleaner.
What We Like
Quick to Work
Customers were pleased with how quickly this spray removed their stains. For some, this cleaner only took a matter of minutes to get rid of messes.Environmentally Friendly
Earthworm pride themselves on offering products that are good for our environment. And you can help too by buying the bigger-sized bottle to keep your spray bottle refilled once you’ve emptied it.No Residue Left Behind
This solution worked well to remove stains and unpleasant smells, but didn’t leave any traces behind! Users said that there was no residue, odors, or water stains left once they’d finished cleaning.What We Don’t Like
Not as Good on Stubborn Stains
Some reviewers said that it worked well on fresh stains, but did not always remove those embedded ones. So if you’ve got a lot of tough or oily stains, you might want to go for another option.Technical Specs
| Type | Carpet cleaner |
| Capacity | 37 ounces |
| Weight | 1.6 pounds |
| Cord Length | Cordless |
What to Look For
Types of Upholstery Cleaner
Sprays, Gels, Foams, and Waxes
Sprays are the most common type of fabric cleaner. You can use them on a lot of different surfaces and they’re easy to use.
Gels should only be used on surfaces that are water-resistant. Again, they’re easy to apply.
Waxes are good if you have small scratches or oxidation – where your sofa has been exposed to air/dust/sunlight over time.
Foams are great for more stubborn stains. This is because they are thicker than sprays or gels.
Wipes
These are good on leather surfaces to remove dust and build-ups of debris.
Steam Cleaners
A steam cleaner only requires water. This is converted to steam which will penetrate your furniture fibers and push any embedded dirt to the surface. The cleaner then sucks this dirt up.
Carpet Cleaners
Carpet cleaning machines are sometimes confused with steam cleaners because they use water to clean. Or with vacuums as they also have suction power.
But a carpet cleaner is a different type of appliance. The water doesn’t get hot enough to change to steam.
So this type is best for more moderate stains, and not for dirt or grime that is embedded in your furniture.
Handheld carpet cleaners are the most common type of upholstery cleaners. But an upright upholstery cleaner is also a good option.
They offer more suction power and they generally come with a bigger tank. Plus they’re designed to work on carpeted areas. See the Hoover SmartWash Automatic Upright Carpet Cleaner.
Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuums don’t use water or steam to clean. They just use suction power.
They’re efficient to clean upholstery fabrics. But your upholstery will be cleaned more effectively if you use a vacuum alongside a carpet or steam cleaner.
Often you’ll get an upholstery attachment that you can use to clean dust from the surfaces and in the corners of your couches and chairs.
Upholstery Cleaners Material
Otherwise, you might damage or stain your fabric. This is especially true for silk, nylon, suede, leather, wool, or velvet materials as they are more delicate fabrics.
Look at the code on the fabric tag to see what type of cleaner you can use:
- WS – Spot-clean only with a solvent or water-based solution.
- S – Use only a solvent or water-free, dry cleaning solvent.
- W – Use only a water-based cleaning solution.
- X – Dry-clean only.
So if you want to steam-clean your upholstery, you must have the “W” label. If it’s not there, don’t use steam.
You should be able to use a vacuum cleaner on all types of material.
If you can’t find the tag on your fabric, test your cleaner or solution on a small, inconspicuous area first.
Then wipe it with a damp cloth to see if it’s changed the color or texture of your upholstery. If it hasn’t, it’s probably safe to use.
Finally, you can always check with the manufacturer on how best to clean your furniture.
Usage
A multipurpose cleaner is a good option because you can use it on your carpets as well as on furniture, and on materials such as vinyl and leather.
For example, you can use a vacuum or carpet cleaner for cleaning lots of different surfaces in your house. This includes carpets, rugs, stairs, curtains, bedding, and your car.
So these types of cleaners offer you versatility. You’ll save money as one cleaner can be utilized throughout your household for different cleaning chores.
Some spray cleaning solutions, on the other hand, are made specifically to clean certain upholstery types. You can’t use them on other surfaces.
FAQ about Upholstery Cleaners
How Do I Clean Upholstered Furniture?
- Use a vacuum cleaner regularly to keep your furniture dust-free. You can also use a damp synthetic microfiber cloth to wipe away any dust particles.
- Once a spillage has occurred, remove the mess with an absorbent dry cloth. Do this quickly to try and avoid your upholstery getting stained!
- If you do have set-in stains to get rid of, first try a little water. You can then try a little mild liquid soap on the stain.
- For bodily fluids, these should be washed off within 15 minutes with cold water. You can then use a little soap if needed.
- To refresh upholstery, use one of the many upholstery cleaners available. Steam cleaners, carpet cleaners, or upholstery cleaning machines with a handheld attachment are ideal for this sort of cleaning.
A steam cleaner is a good way to get your fabric’s surface looking like new again. And it can also help to correct any discoloration on the fabric surface.
But you should be careful to remove certain stains before steam cleaning. For example, if you have protein stains on your upholstery, these can be set by the heat and then made permanent.
How Often Should You Clean Upholstery?
- Regular vacuuming is key to keeping your upholstery clean. Try to do this once a week or at least every 2 weeks. This way you’ll remove hair and dust before it has the chance to build up.
- Make sure you remove any stains and spills as soon as they happen.
- Once or twice a year, you can give your upholstery a deep clean with a carpet or steam cleaner. And if all else fails, call someone in to do a professional cleaning job!
Upholstery Cleaner Comparison Chart
| Product | Type | Capacity | Weight | Cord Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woolite InstaClean Stain Remover | Spray | 2 x 650 milliliters | 1.38 pounds | Cordless (spray bottle) |
| Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator | Spray | 2 x 32 ounces | 2 pounds | Cordless (spray bottle) |
| Leather Honey Leather Cleaner | Liquid | 4 ounces | 1 pound | Cordless (bottle) |
| Chemical Guys Upholstery Cleaner | Liquid | 64 ounces (concentrated so mix with water) | 4.5 pounds | Cordless (bottle) |
| Bissell SpotClean Stain Carpet Cleaner | Carpet cleaner | 9 ounces | 7 pounds | Cordless |
| Hoover Onepwr Spotless Go | Carpet cleaner | 8 ounces | 7 pounds | Cordless |
| Earthworm Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner | Carpet cleaner | 37 ounces | 1.6 pounds | Cordless |
