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The 8 Best Upholstery Cleaners of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Refresh your couch, carpets, and rugs with these easy tools and solutions

Group of upholstery cleaners displayed side-by-side on a wood floor

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

When it comes to upholstery cleaning, our first and biggest question is always: machine or solution? With both, you apply cleaner, agitate the fibers of your cushion or carpet to release your stain, and then lift the cleaner and the loosened mess—the difference lies in whether you want a machine to do the work for you, or if you’ll be doing it manually. 

To find the best upholstery cleaners, we worked stains of mustard, red wine, soda, and marinara sauce into cushions and rugs in The Lab, where we’ve tested more than 90 carpet and upholstery cleaning products since 2022. Our team—consisting of pet owners, parents of little ones, and home cleaning pros—then took multiple portable machines home after lab testing to assess their performance in real situations.

We put the upholstery cleaners up against the tightest corners of our carpeted stairs and the busiest seats in our house to see just how much of a difference it made (spoiler alert: judging by the dirty water we dumped out, it was a big difference). After all this hands-on work, we narrowed the options down to our favorites for keeping our carpets, rugs, and furniture looking fresh and clean. 

Cleaning nozzle of the Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner displayed on textured fabric

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

Before you start cleaning, check upholstery tags or product instructions to determine what cleaner or machine you can—and more importantly cannot—use. Brandon Pleshek, member of The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board and third-generation janitor, explains that a lot of fabrics come with cleaning codes, so see our What to Know About Cleaning Codes section for how to read what’s potentially on your fabric’s tag. Additionally, you can find helpful information about upholstery cleaners in our What to Look for in an Upholstery Cleaner section.

Editor's Note: This story was revised in February 2024, based on our latest testing of newer models.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Bissell 3624 Spot Clean Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner

BISSELL 3624 Spot Clean Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner

Walmart

What We Like
  • Doesn’t leave behind a ton of water

  • On-machine storage for cord and hose

  • Portable, easy-to-use design

What We Don't Like
  • Noisy operation

  • No storage for other attachments

You haven’t lived until you’ve seen stains defy physics as they’re lifted from your couch with a powerful and efficient cleaning tool. Okay, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration—but still, part of the appeal of the Bissell 3624 Spot Clean Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner isn’t just the results. As impressive as they are, and we’ll get to that, the visual confirmation that it’s working as you’re using it is undeniably satisfying. The transparent machine parts give you a view of your mess as it’s pulled from your chair or carpet, which also allows you to adjust the angle of the hose and ensure that you’re maximizing your cleaning session. 

To be clear, Bissell isn’t the only brand that designs their machines with this view in mind (Hoover’s CleanSlate XL Deep Clean Spot Cleaner, our pick for pet owners, is another example), but we’re highlighting it because the Bissell 3624 Spot Clean Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner also backs up the visibility with extremely effective cleaning abilities. Wine on your carpet, soda on your sofa, marinara sauce on the dining room chair? It’ll get them all–we’ve seen it happen.  

Also of note with this machine is how, once you’re done using it, surfaces don’t feel as saturated or damp. Other machines (even ones we like, including the Bissell Little Green) leave behind a noticeable amount of water or solution when they’re done, so you’ll need additional drying time. But that’s not the case here; you can trust that the machine is doing its job to pull as much liquid back as it can.

The areas of improvement that we noticed are pretty minor. As with many upholstery cleaners, the machine is noisy, so you’ll need to wait until you’re done to have a conversation with anyone around you. You’ll also want to make sure to consult the instructions the first time you set it up for clarity on the clean versus dirty tanks and water temperature (which should be warm), and take a moment to identify where the water will shoot from so you don’t inadvertently spray beyond your desired areas for cleaning.

Lastly, know that there’s no on-machine storage for attachments (which we always prefer). Overall, however, we’re big fans of the Bissell Spot Clean Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner, and can easily recommend it for most homes, stains, and cleaning situations.

Weight: 13 pounds | Cord Length: 22 feet | Attachments: 3-inch stain tool, 6-inch stair tool

Cleaning Delicate Surfaces and Heirlooms

Before using an upholstery cleaner of any kind, consider your comfort level using cleaning tools and products on potentially delicate surfaces. If you’re cleaning a beloved heirloom piece from your grandmother’s sitting room that you would be heartbroken to see damaged, it may make more sense to have a professional take care of it for you.

Best Value

Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner FD13000

Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner FD13000

Amazon

What We Like
  • Doesn’t leave behind a ton of water

  • Especially easy to use on stairs and in tight spaces

  • Handle and design are well balanced

  • Built-in hose rinse

What We Don't Like
  • May take a few passes on upholstery

  • Average cord length

The Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner FD13000 is another straightforward upholstery cleaner that’s intuitive to use and effective on different surfaces and stains. In fact, we were seriously considering buying it for our own home after we test in the lab for one day—it’s that impressive. Its performance was right up there with our top pick, the Bissell 3624 Spot Clean Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner, but the reason we didn’t name it best overall is that we noticed it’s slightly more effective on rugs than upholstery. If you’re using it on couches and chairs, you may find yourself making a few extra passes and sprays to get the job done. However, it’s also great on stairs and other tight spaces.

With “portable” in its name, we also took note of how easy it is to move and store this machine (spoiler alert: very easy). When it comes to weight, it’s right in the middle of our picks at roughly 11 pounds, and its 15-foot cord is average, too. The handle and design feel nicely balanced, so you’re able to carry it without feeling like you’re going to tip over. The included attachments—a 4-inch stain tool and a 2-in-1 pet tool—are both useful, without being too much extra bulk for storage.

As with our best overall pick, we didn’t have too many complaints with the Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner. It could be quieter when operating, but we were glad there wasn’t a high-pitched sound that can occur with other cleaners and vacuums.

Weight: 11.03 pounds | Cord Length: 15 feet | Attachments: 4-inch stain tool, 2-in-1 pet tool

Best for Pet Owners

Hoover CleanSlate XL Deep Clean Spot Cleaner

Hoover CleanSlate XL Deep Clean Spot Cleaner

Hoover

What We Like
  • Three attachments, plus two bristle choices

  • Easy to carry

  • Pleasant scent left by included solution

What We Don't Like
  • Hose feels stiff at first

Instead of banning your pets from the couch, you might want to get the right equipment to keep your furniture clean. Enter, this handheld machine: the Hoover CleanSlate XL Deep Clean Spot Cleaner

Like the other upholstery-cleaning machines, this one applies cleaning solution, agitates fibers, and pulls messes away in one fell swoop. However, there are a few key features that we think are great for pet owners in particular. For starters, it comes with a full selection of attachments that you can select for targeted cleaning; a wide path tool (with interchangeable bristle brush or rubber nub brush), a tight spot tool, and even a specific pet tool, which is designed to work on both carpets and upholstery. So, whether your pet left muddy prints on a rug, caused a spill on the stairs, or had an accident on the carpet, you’re well-equipped. No matter how dirty of a mess you clean, this machine won't be too worse for wear, thanks to the self-cleaning mechanism that flushes out the hose.

The included solution that comes with the Hoover CleanSlate XL Deep Clean Spot Cleaner also has a noticeable yet light scent—not too overpowering or chemically, but still enjoyable. We also see this as a plus for when you’re cleaning something particularly smelly or unpleasant. To be clear, it’s normal for machines to come with a small size of the brand’s cleaning solution (all of our picks do) that you later need to restock, but this solution was particularly nice. 

While we've named this as a good machine pet-owners, it can also handle human-made messes (like that coffee spill from when you were rushing out the door, or the marker lines on the couch), so you can use it throughout your home. Plus, the 22-foot cord adds to its portability since you can reach most of the corners of a room from a single plug.

Along with the lengthy cord, the handle is comfortable for carrying and it feels securely designed, so we didn’t worry about it tipping or spilling. We did notice that the hose feels stiff at first, and is a bit awkward to maneuver. However, we expect it to be more flexible once we break it in more. In the meantime, we can still easily recommend it to homes with four-legged friends.

Weight: 11 pounds | Cord Length: 22 feet | Attachments: Tight spot tool, pet tool, wide path tool 

Best Spray

Bissell Advanced Oxy Stain Pretreat

Bissell Advanced Oxy Stain Pretreat

Walmart

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Scent
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
What We Like
  • EPA Safer Choice certified

  • Nozzle can release mist or spray

  • Impressive stain-fighting prowess

What We Don't Like
  • Not great for large areas

Bissell appears several times on our list because it's a reliable brand that continues to dominate the upholstery cleaning space, and is a big name for vacuums, steam mops, and other cleaning tools as well. In this case, it’s the brand behind the very effective Advanced Tough StainPretreat Formula.

Unlike our other two Bissell mentions, which are both upholstery cleaning machines, this is a liquid formula you apply to stains and high-traffic areas ahead of machine cleaning. It also happens to double as a stain treatment. Full disclosure: we only tried it as a standalone cleaner, and were still wowed by the results. Among the dozen upholstery cleaning solutions we tried, it did the best job at lifting tough stains like red wine, dark soda, and marinara sauce after just five minutes of setting, and two minutes of scrubbing by hand with a washcloth and a scrub brush.

This cleaner comes in a spray bottle with an easy nozzle that can be set to spray a line of liquid or a gentle mist. It’s also unscented. Whether you use a lot or a little, you won’t be bothered by any odors. We like that it’s Safer Choice certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a voluntary designation that confirms products are made with ingredients that are safer for people and the environment. So, if you prefer to shop with sustainability in mind, this is a particularly good option. 

Bissell Advanced Oxy Stain Pretreat displayed on a wood table next to a stained carpet square

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

Now, by design, liquid cleaners like the Bissell Advanced Tough StainPretreat Formula require more hands-on effort and elbow grease than machine cleaners. For some, particularly folks with delicate upholstery or small stains to take care of, this will be ideal since you have a bit more control over how much solution you’re using and how you’re agitating the fibers (machines can be tougher on fabrics than hands). In comparison, liquid cleaners are also less expensive than machines. However, cleaning by hand can be a slower and more labor-intensive process, so it comes down to personal preference and the amount of space you’re cleaning.

Amount: 22 ounces  | Scent: Unscented

Best for Leather

Furniture Clinic Large Leather Care Kit

Furniture Clinic Large Leather Care Kit

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    4/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Scent
    5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Left leather looking better than when we started

  • Products are also sold separately

  • Light, citrusy scent 

What We Don't Like
  • Instructions could be clearer

Our favorite option to preserve the precise appearance of leather is the Furniture Clinic Large Leather Care Kit, which blew us away during testing. It can lift both oily and sticky stains, like sunscreen, foundation, and syrup, in a matter of minutes. After testing, we couldn’t wait to add this to our own carts and make use of it at home.

With a 17-ounce bottle of cleaner, a 17-ounce bottle of conditioner, a sponge, and a cloth, this set contains everything you need to take care of leather surfaces like furniture, car interiors, or even shoes (you can also buy the products separately if you prefer). We would have preferred clearer instructions on which scrubber to use with which bottle, but we ultimately figured it out and got better results than expected. When both the cleaner and the conditioner are used in tandem, the leather wasn’t only clean, it looked and felt like it was in better shape than before we started. This cleaner also has a pleasant, citrusy scent that dissipates fairly quickly, leaving that classic leather smell. 

We think this set will be plenty big enough for most couches or furniture pieces. Be warned, though: you might find yourself looking for more leather pieces in your home to clean, just so you can get more use out of it.

Amount: 17-ounce cleaner, 17-ounce conditioner, sponge, cloth | Scent: Citrus

Best for Cars

Chemical Guys Lightning Fast Stain Extractor

Chemical Guys Lightning Fast Stain Extractor

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    4/5
  • Scent
    4/5
  • Value
    4/5
What We Like
  • Works quickly on stains

  • Stream or mist application

  • Suitable for fabric, upholstery, and carpet

What We Don't Like
  • Skin felt slightly dry after using

  • Some foamy residue remains (vacuuming recommended)

  • Lemon scent may not be for everyone

With “lightning fast” right in the name of the Chemical Guys Lightning Fast Stain Extractor, you are allowed to have high expectations. In our experience, this liquid solution lives up to them. It zapped up red wine and soda stains in our lab, taking just moments and minimal scrubbing to make them disappear completely. We could see this speedy, powerful cleaning being an extra perk for on-the-go touch-ups and fixes (like when you’re hosting guests), since the cleaner is suitable for fabric, upholstery, and carpet.

It does foam up a bit while you scrub with it, and we did see some remaining residue afterwards, so it makes sense that the instructions recommend vacuuming when you’re done for the best results. This final step is a bit unique to this pick, but given the thorough results the solution provides, we’re okay with it. Just make sure your vacuum is nearby—we could see a damp cloth working, too.  

Like the Bissell Advanced Tough StainPretreat Formula, the nozzle can be adjusted between a direct stream and a misty spray application. When you’re using Chemical Guys Lightning Fast Stain Extractor, the strength of the formula is apparent in the smell and feel of the product. It has a strong lemon smell, and while it does fade after the product dries, it’s super noticeable while you’re using it. For that reason, it may not be best for those sensitive to smells. We also found that it made our skin feel dry, so gloves (and extra caution while scrubbing) could help with that. Even with these minor caveats, the efficacy makes this product well worth it.

Amount: 16 ounces | Scent: Fresh (lemon)

Best Foaming

Resolve Multi-Fabric Cleaner and Upholstery Stain Remover

Resolve Multi-Fabric Cleaner and Upholstery Stain Remover

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    4.8/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Scent
    3.5/5
  • Value
    5/5
What We Like
  • Only cleaner to lift mustard stain

  • Foams like soap

  • No remaining residue

What We Don't Like
  • Strong chemical smell

We’re very pleased with both the process and the results you get from Resolve Multi-Fabric Cleaner & Upholstery Stain Remover. While there are plenty of efficient cleaners out there that don’t foam up as they clean (our best spray pick, Bissell Advanced Tough StainPretreat Formula, is one example), it’s just undeniably satisfying to see those tiny bubbles at work. 

With this Resolve cleaner, you get great results to back it up, too. In fact, it’s the only pick that was successful at removing a mustard stain in our lab. We’re confident that it’s up to the task of the majority of household stains. After it sets for five minutes (or less!), the final step is blotting, so you’ll want an extra towel or washcloth on hand. There’s no need to vacuum, like what’s recommended with the Chemical Guys Lightning Fast Stain Extractor

Now, the label says this cleaner smells like fresh linen, but to us it was more of a chemical smell. It’s not overbearing, but if you’re after a clean laundry scent you’ll likely be disappointed. However, that’s the only catch we noticed with the Resolve Multi-Fabric Cleaner & Upholstery Stain Remover, and we were otherwise really impressed with it.

Amount: 22 ounces | Scent: Fresh linen

We Also Like

Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

Bissell 1400B Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

Amazon

What We Like
  • Compact and portable design

  • Large water tank

  • Long cord for maneuverability

What We Don't Like
  • Inconsistent cleaning performance

  • Moisture left behind

The Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, which you might recognize from its beloved TikTok following, is not only adorable, but it's also super satisfying to use. This is thanks to its transparent tank and tubing that allows you to see messes and grime lifting from your surfaces and flying through the machine. 

We’ve tested this machine a few different times and it’s made a range of impressions on our team—some love it and use it at home, while others feel like it’s no more effective than DIY cleaning methods and elbow grease. We can all agree that some of the perks are its compact weight (it’s less than 10 pounds), its portability, and the 15-foot cord that helps with overall maneuverability (while still being average). The cord isn’t the longest of our picks (both the Bissell 3624 Spot Clean Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner and the Hoover CleanSlate XL Deep Clean Spot Cleaner have a 22-foot cord), but you still would have no problem shifting it from one end of your couch or loveseat to the other without having to adjust the plug.

Where our experience has varied has been with its actual performance on stains. We have team members that swear by it for cleaning porch chairs and couch cushions—yet we’ve also seen it struggle on basic messes like ketchup and mustard. For the latter, it left enough residue that a paper towel lifted additional yellow smudges. We’ve also seen a lot of moisture remaining after usage, whereas other machines pull more water from surfaces and allow for quicker drying, like our best overall. That’s not to say it doesn’t leave stains better than when you started, but the Bissell Little Green doesn’t do it quite as well or as consistently as some of our other picks, or its newer and pet-focused iterations. 

The value is there though, especially if you can find this machine on sale. It’s not the workhorse tool you’d want to use to refresh the entire surface area of that sectional you scored from a thrift store, but if you want some extra help with spills and spot-cleaning, and don’t mind a few extra minutes of drying time, you’ll likely be pleased with it.

Weight: 9.7 pounds | Cord Length: 15 feet | Attachments: Self-cleaning hose tool, spraying crevice tool

Final Verdict

Our top pick for an upholstery cleaner is Bissell’s 3624 Spot Clean Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner. It features on-machine storage for the cord and hose, and doesn’t leave much water or residue behind. If you're looking to spend less and don't mind a process that's a bit more hands-on, then Bissell's Advanced Tough StainPretreat Formula is great at picking up stains, and it features an ingredient list that’s EPA Safer Choice certified.

Illustration of stains and odors upholstery cleaners can lift

The Spruce / Ellen Lindner

Other Options We Tested

Bissell Little Green HydroSteam Pet 3605: This new release from Bissell is the only machine we tested that has a steam cleaning option, which opens up your cleaning options to include grout, tile, and other steam-friendly surfaces. However, when it came to performance on rug and upholstery, it was fairly average compared to the rest of the machines we tried out, successfully lifting red wine and soda stains, but struggling more with marinara sauce and mustard. The bottom line? With upholstery cleaning, it’s good but not great.

OxiClean Total Interior Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner: We’ve tested and loved multiple OxiClean products over the years, and in general, we would call ourselves fans of the brand. This particular cleaner, however, was a bit perplexing. While it did well on soda and marinara sauce (and left only a faint yellow mark where the mustard was), there was some sort of visible reaction with the red wine. The wine stain was lifted, but a blue tinge was left in its place. We even double-checked that this was from the product itself and not the built-in brush on the can. Sure enough, we saw the same results when we used a different brush. As much as we like OxiClean products, if there’s a chance you’ll need help with red wine stains, you should probably steer clear of this one.

Zep Advanced Oxy Carpet & Upholstery Stain Remover:
Another option that did great with the soda and wine, but was more challenged by the mustard and marinara, Zep is one more tried-and-true brand that performed adequately overall, just not well enough to fully wow us and earn a top spot on our list. It was, however, the only solution we noticed with a lingering floral scent. So if that sounds appealing, it may still be the right pick for you.

Person scrubbing Resolve Multi-Fabric Cleaner & Upholstery Stain Remover into carpet piece

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

How We Tested the Upholstery Cleaners

To find the best upholstery cleaners for you, we've rigorously tested picks at The Lab and at home since 2022. We evaluate machines, spray cleaners, foaming solutions, and more. 

  • In The Lab, when we test machines, we first consider the ease of setup of each cleaner, timing how long it takes to prepare the product for use. We note whether the instructions are clear or confusing, and how easy it is to fill and empty the water tanks.
  • We evaluate each model's effectiveness against soda, red wine, marinara sauce, and mustard. We track how many passes it takes to clean up each stain, on both rug squares and couch cushions, and we work with each cleaner's features and attachments to rate versatility and usability. 
  • To consider portability, we assess how easy it is to carry and use each machine, how long the cord is, and how stable each machine feels when it’s standing on its own.
  • We also rate their noise level, and whether or not you could have a conversation or hear the doorbell ring while the machine is in use.
  • For non-machine picks, alongside effectiveness and ease of use, we note any scents and whether the application processes are simple or messy. 
  • We use the entire experience to rate the overall value of the product, determining whether we think the full price is fair for its performance and power. 
Testing Stats
 Products Tested  95
 Hours Spent Testing  52
 Tests Performed  6
 Unique Testers  40

Once we’ve completed these thorough rounds of testing, our editors review the final results and boil it down to our list of the top upholstery cleaners.

Hand spraying liquid onto a stained cushion

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

What to Look for in an Upholstery Cleaner

Machine vs. Solution

If you're new to upholstery cleaners, be thoughtful in your cleaning approach so you don't accidentally damage your favorite furniture pieces. It’s better to start with a gentle cleaner (like a solution you apply by hand) and work your way up to something stronger (like a machine), than to start with something too harsh and cause damage at the get-go. 

Machine upholstery cleaners are typically handheld appliances that are primarily used to spot-clean furniture and carpets. "With this type of cleaning, also known as 'vacuum extraction method,' we introduce a solvent (water) and a surfactant (soap) to the material we want to clean," says Wayne Edelman, CEO of Meurice Garment Care and CLEAN by Meurice. "Mechanical action helps remove the stain, and the solvent and surfactant allow it to be carried away—or, in this instance, vacuumed away," he says. Our best overall pick, the Bissell 3624 Spot Clean Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner, with its transparent brush head, offers a great view of this process. 

Aside from appliances, you can opt for a cleaning solution in a spray, wipe, or cream formula, like the Bissell Advanced Tough StainPretreat Formula (our best spray pick), or the Furniture Clinic Large Leather Care Kit (our best for leather pick). These products will require more effort to use, but they may be more cost-effective and gentle if you're cleaning spots or treating a very specific type of material, like leather. Just be prepared to put in more elbow grease.

Included Attachments

Similar to vacuums, upholstery cleaning machines have accessories or attachments to help you target surfaces or reach into tight areas. Anywhere from one to three extra accessories is standard. Among our picks, the Hoover CleanSlate XL Deep Clean Spot Cleaner has the most; it includes a wide path tool with an interchangeable bristle brush or rubber nub brush, plus a tight spot tool, and a pet tool. 

Person putting Hoover CleanSlate XL Deep Clean Spot Cleaner accessories into a bag

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

Best Time to Buy an Upholstery Cleaner

With machine upholstery cleaners in particular, you can frequently find discounts and sales around peak holidays and shopping events. Black Friday and Amazon's Prime Day are great examples, but don't overlook other sales around long weekends (like President's Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day) and gift-giving holidays (like Mother's Day and Father's Day). Discount ranges can vary but, for example, the Bissell Little Green was a hefty 37 percent off this past Black Friday.

At The Spruce, we will always tell you about these sales, but you can also set a reminder in your phone when you're in the market for a big-ticket item (like a vacuum or mattress).

What to Know About Cleaning Codes

American-made furniture should have a tag on it with a proper cleaning code to help guide you in your cleaning endeavors. These codes include: W, S, W-S, or X. Here's a quick breakdown of them. 

  • W means you should use water-based cleaners only. 
  • S means that a water-free solvent can be used. 
  • W-S stands for "water-based solvents.”
  • X is a sign to avoid all household cleaning products and consult with a professional.

When in doubt, always test a small patch of fabric in a hidden spot before using a cleaner on a larger, more noticeable area. If you have leather, suede, or microfiber furniture at home, you'll want to be careful about the products you use to clean it, as well. (Remember, with leather in particular, we recommend Furniture Clinic Large Leather Care Kit.) Edelman recommends using a gentle, anionic, wet cleaning detergent on upholstery because it does not need to be rinsed and is safe to use on almost all fabrics. "Detergents and additional bleaches and stain removers are contingent on the fabrics you are cleaning," he says. "What is safe on a white Sunbrella or microfiber material will destroy a wool mohair." Liquid formulas with acetone or bleach might cause discoloration or affect the texture of the material. 

Katie Berry, The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board member, advises that upholstery cleaners should not be used on some fabrics like velvet and velour; they can permanently damage them. All in all, always check your codes before using an appliance or a solution to ensure that you're caring for your pieces in the proper way (or ways), and review the directions on cleaners and tools you’re using, as well.

Person using the Furniture Clinic Large Leather Care Kit to clean section of leather

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

FAQ
  • How do you clean upholstered furniture and how often?

    For day-to-day cleaning and to keep dust at a minimum (as well as prolong the life of your furniture), weekly vacuuming of outer surfaces is recommended. Be sure to dig out your vacuum's attachments, such as the crevice cleaner or brush, and take the time to go over each section of your sofa and cushions. If your sofa is the focal point of your home, and you snuggle up on it every single day, plan to actually remove the cushions and vacuum the interior on a monthly basis, too. This is a good time to pull out a spray cleaner to treat any spill or stains on your couch cushions you previously missed.

    Alongside the weekly and monthly dry vacuuming, you may opt to do a deeper clean with an upholstery cleaner, steam cleaner, or professional service once or twice per year. However, if you notice stains and discoloration in one area, or when liquid spills onto the material, address it as soon as possible with spot treatment.

  • Can you use an upholstery cleaner on other surfaces or fabrics?

    Many upholstery cleaners can be used on multiple surfaces, including carpets, curtains and drapes, and car interiors—though, it can vary from one product to the next. Check all of your cleaning codes and the product’s label for use information before using it to clean a surface.

Person unboxing the Bissell Little Green Cleaner

The Spruce / Tamara Staples

Why Trust The Spruce?

Dena Ogden is a lifestyle and home writer who’s been writing professionally since 2016, and with The Spruce since August 2022. She specializes in appliances, cleaning, and organization topics, and has written about everything from baskets and bins to carpet shampoos and robot vacuums. For this story, she utilized extensive data from The Lab and from our home testing experience. She’s also currently testing the Hoover CleanSlate XL Deep Clean Spot Cleaner, our best for pet owners pick, and cannot even begin to describe how satisfying it is to pour out the dirty water when she’s done cleaning her stairs.

Our Experts: