The 12 Best Upholstery Cleaners & Furniture

Spills and stains happen on furniture and fabrics. But¹ upholstery cleaners can fix them without harm. These tools vary in form to fit different budgets and cleaning needs. We tested 23 cleaners in our lab, using them on couch cushions and rugs².

We looked at how well they worked, how easy they were to use, and their value.

Key Takeaways

• The Bissell SpotClean Pro was the top choice, being affordable and effective¹.
• The Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner was great for wine and soda stains but not for tough stains¹.
• The Hoover CleanSlate XL is perfect for pet owners, tackling all pet messes well¹.
• The Furniture Clinic leather cleaner removed stains well with little scrubbing¹.
• Over 90 cleaning products have been tested since 2022 in The Lab².

Why You Need an Upholstery Cleaner

Upholstered furniture gets spills and stains easily. But, upholstery cleaners can get rid of these without harming the material³. It’s smart to get your couches, loveseats, and sofas cleaned once a year because they get worn out fast from kids, pets, and guests³. Leather, suede, and fabric couches need special cleaners to stay in good shape³.

Experts use different cleaning ways for different spills and messes³. They can do deep cleaning, shampooing, or use hot water to get rid of dirt³. After cleaning, they might apply protectants to make the furniture last longer³. This cleaning removes things like dander, sweat, and oils, making your furniture healthier³.

⁴Regular cleaning cuts down on allergens, dust mites, fleas, mold, and bacteria⁴. This means fewer allergies and illnesses⁴. Keeping your furniture clean also makes your house look better⁴.

⁴Dust and dirt can make furniture look old and worn out⁴. Cleaning it often stops this from happening⁴. It also gets rid of bad smells from cooking or pets, making your home smell fresh⁴. If your furniture got damaged by water or smoke, cleaning can fix it without costing too much⁴.

⁴It’s best to hire professionals for cleaning to avoid mold, mildew, and other problems⁴. This keeps your furniture in good shape for a long time⁴.

“Regular upholstery cleaning is essential for maintaining the appearance, longevity, and health benefits of your furniture.”

How We Tested Upholstery Cleaners

We tested 23 upholstery cleaners in our lab⁵. We used them on common stains like mustard and wine on couches and rugs. We looked at how well they worked, how easy they were to use, and their value.

Careful Consideration of Key Features

We focused on what makes these cleaners different. The Dirt Devil’s Portable Spot Cleaner has a big 19-ounce tank⁵. It’s easy to set up in under 5 minutes⁵. It’s also quiet, like a regular vacuum⁵.

The Bissell’s portable spot cleaner has a bigger 96-ounce tank⁵. But it takes over 8 minutes to set up⁵. It’s a bit louder, at 93 decibels⁵.

The Hoover CleanSlate XL is great for pet owners⁵. It has a 96-ounce tank⁵ and is quiet, at 81.2 decibels⁵. It removed 85% of marinara and 70% of mustard stains⁵.

We tested many upholstery cleaners and leather cleaners⁶. The Kenmore Spotlite is our top pick, priced between $107 and $113⁶. It’s light, at 10 pounds⁶. The Shark StainStriker is also great, a bit lighter at 8 pounds⁶.

The Bissell Little Green HydroSteam is perfect for pet owners, priced between $136 and $230⁶. The Dirt Devil Portable Spot is our best budget pick, at $90 to $109⁶. The cordless Black+Decker Spillbuster is the most portable⁶.

After testing, we found the best upholstery cleaners for your home⁵⁶. Now, you can choose the right one for your needs.

Best Overall Upholstery Cleaner

The Bissell SpotClean Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner is the top pick⁷. It’s a powerful machine that cleaned well and didn’t cost too much. It beat more expensive cleaners in our tests.

This cleaner removed tough stains like wine and mustard easily⁷. It’s easy to use because of its design. It has a dual-tank system, a long cord, and a 5-foot hose. This makes it great for small to medium-sized rooms.

This cleaner is good for the planet too⁷. It uses water-based cleaners that are safe for your furniture and the earth. Plus, it won’t harm delicate fabrics because of its balanced pH level.

• Exceptional cleaning performance on a wide range of stains
• Portable and user-friendly design with convenient features
• Eco-friendly water-based formula with neutral pH

For spills on your sofa or car, the Bissell SpotClean Pro is the best choice⁷. It’s great for keeping your furniture looking new. Its cleaning power and design make it a top pick.