Our furniture tells the story of our life, and between the pages, there will always be some dust, dirt, and pet hair. Not only can this make our homes look untidy, but said dust, dirt, and pet hair can also exacerbate allergies. While he notes that upholstery cleaners are usually reserved for accidental spills, Will Cotter, the COO of HappyCleans, says, “Upholstery cleaners quietly do a lot to keep your home in great shape.” Most of us don’t think about upholstery cleaners every day or use them every week, but when your best friend spills red wine on your white couch, you’ll be happy to have one waiting in the wings.
But, like everything else on the planet, there are too many choices to count. To help you sort out the mess of options in upholstery cleaners, we tested 10 machines and 13 solutions, rating each one on its ease of use, performance, noise level, and overall value. We stained rugs and couch cushions with some of the usual suspects in life’s little mishaps and then sprayed and scrubbed our way to number one.
Upholstery cleaners aren’t miracle workers, as evidenced by our testing—we found that spray solutions tended to work better on upholstery, and our DIY cleaning solution of water, dish soap, and rubbing alcohol often worked just as well as the products we tested. Thus, it’s important to tame your expectations when it comes to upholstery cleaners. That said, the following products, which include both machines and spray solutions, stood out among the competition for their ability to clean tough stains with less effort.
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Amazon
When your soft furnishings have seen better days, Dirt Devil’s Portable Spot Cleaner expertly tackles pet messes, food stains, and whatever life throws your way. This upholstery cleaner was easy to use, it removed food stains with ease, and cleanup was a breeze; that’s why it’s our pick as the best overall.
Getting started, it took us less than five minutes to set the machine up–four minutes and 35 seconds, to be exact. The instructions were simple and easy to understand. The machine has only one power setting, so there’s no mystery there. Switching out attachments was a snap (literally), and we had no problem getting into corners and crevices.
The 19-ounce tank is small enough to fill at a standard kitchen sink, and the markings make it easy to get the water-to-solution ratio right every time. Although, this is the smallest tank of any on our list, so be prepared for more frequent refilling. Cleaning the dirty water tank was also a breeze—just pour it out and rinse.
While the soda and wine cleaned up thoroughly with no traces of the stains left behind, the marinara and mustard were more of a challenge. Even after multiple passes, we could still see traces of the stains. Similarly, on the upholstery, the soda and wine cleaned up in a snap. And while the marinara sauce and mustard stains cleaned up better on the upholstery, they were still a challenge, which was true for most of the machines we tested.
When all was said and done, we found that the machine suctioned out most of the water, leaving the rug damp but not wet. This machine is suitable for stairs, and the cleaning wand handles corners and crevices with ease.
Weighing just 11 pounds, this machine isn’t heavy, even with the water/solution added. The handle is ergonomically balanced, and it’s easy to carry. All cords and hoses wrap or attach to the machine body for convenient storage, and it’s compact enough to fit easily under a kitchen counter.
The noise was about what you’d expect from an upholstery cleaner—somewhere around the same decibel level as a vacuum. But it wasn’t high-pitched, and we didn’t notice any additional noise when the machine sucked up water or sprayed solution on the cleaning surface.
You’ll find that you can have a conversation with someone next to you, but if they want to hear what’s happening on TV, you will have to bump the volume up a bit.
Capacity: 19 ounces | Size: 12 x 11 x 5.5 inches | Cord Length: 15 feet | Attachments: None
Southern Living / Dera Burreson
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Walmart
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It leaves the cleaning surface a little more damp than we would like and, therefore, requires more drying time.
Anyone looking for a one-and-done machine that cleans carpets and upholstery with ease will find it with this portable spot cleaner by Bissell. This compact machine combines powerful suction and deep scrubbing to erase dirt and stains in the far reaches where a full-size carpet cleaner just can’t fit.
This machine was pretty intuitive to set up—in total, it took us just over eight minutes to get started. Regarding performance, the machine completely removed the wine and soda from the carpet. It left a faint hint of marinara, and like all of the machines we tested, the mustard stain remained.
On upholstery, the wine and soda were easily extracted, and while the marinara and mustard were much improved, they presented an issue again. Post-cleaning, we didn’t find a sticky residue on the carpet, nor did we detect a strong odor of the cleaning solution while using the machine. Whatever scent there was, it was pleasant, mild, and unoffensive, and it didn’t linger. The paper towels came away quite damp. While we don’t think it’s a deal-breaker, you may have to adjust for more drying time.
Operating and maneuvering the upholstery cleaner was equally easy on the carpet, the upholstery, and the stairs. It’s easy enough to switch from spraying and depositing water to sucking it up. All we had to do was to release our finger from the “water trigger.” The water spray shoots out in a fan shape, so it gets into crevices easily.
Filling the water tank was straightforward. The 96-ounce tank is generous, and there was plenty of room left in the dirty water tank after the test.
At 93 decibels (somewhere between a hairdryer and a food processor), we didn’t like how noisy this was. While the noise level would allow for a conversation with someone standing in close proximity, watching TV probably won’t be feasible.
This machine is lightweight and earned top marks for portability. At 22 feet long, the power cord is long enough to reach from a wall outlet to the middle of a small-medium-sized room without having to unplug and replug. We’ll add here that there’s storage for the power cord and the hose on the unit itself.
Capacity: 96 ounces | Size: 14 x 14 x 10 inches | Cord Length: 22 feet | Attachments: 3-inch Tough Stain Tool, 6-inch Stair Tool
Southern Living / Dera Burreson
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Hoover
We love our pets, but if there’s one thing we’d happily live without, it’s the stains and smells that come with them. Anyone looking to nip pet stains in the bud or stay one step ahead of Fido should consider Hoover’s CleanSlate XL. This machine has a generous 96-ounce tank capacity that lets you dig into dirt and stains with fewer interruptions. And, of course, we know that stains and spills never occur in the most convenient places. When they do, Hoover’s CleanSlate XL is ultra-portable, easily stowed, and tackles messes on stairs with the same prowess it has on carpet spots and cushions.
Like many of the upholstery cleaners on our list, the setup for this machine was relatively easy. Not only was it simple and intuitive, but the directions were also easily understandable. All in all, it took us less than five minutes to set up.
In terms of performance, this machine was comparable to many of the other entries on our list. The dark soda stain was the easiest to clean, with the red wine coming in a close second. We will note here that while both stains only required five passes before looking clean, the red wine left a slight red hue on the carpet. The discoloration was light, but it was still there. Also, like most of the machines on our list, the mustard and marinara were challenging to remove—neither stain was completely removed in the two-minute cleaning window. We would say that 85% of the marinara was gone, while only 70% of the yellow mustard was removed.
While there were traces of some of the stains left behind, we didn’t notice any sticky residue left on the carpet after cleaning, just a fresh, clean scent. It also looks like the machine has a pretty powerful suction because there was only a light amount of moisture absorbed on the paper towel from the dampness test.
This machine doesn’t have wheels, but it’s compact and portable. It weighs about 11 pounds and is equipped with a carrying handle, so it’s easy enough to move from one place to the other without issue. It’s also worth noting that the base of this machine has a grippy texture, which adds to its stability when you’re pulling and tugging at the hose. It was easy enough to fill the water tank, and the attachments were easy to swap out when necessary. Both water tanks are generously sized, so we made it through the test without refilling or having to dump out dirty water, and cleaning out the tanks at the end of the test was a breeze.
With a decibel level of 81.2, we didn’t find this upholstery cleaning machine to be too noisy or too loud. It falls somewhere between a vacuum (decibel level of 80) and a handheld hair dryer (decibel level of 90). While you may not be able to watch TV while operating this machine, you could have a conversation with someone nearby. We didn’t hear a noticeable increase in the noise level while the machine was sucking up the water.
Capacity: 96 ounces | Size: 10.5 x 13 x 14 inches | Cord Length: 22 feet | Attachments: Wide Path Tool, Tight Spot Tool, Pet Tool
Southern Living / Dera Burreson
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Bissell
For furniture and upholstery in need of a deeper cleaning from time to time, we recommend Bissell’s Little Green Hydro Steam upholstery cleaning machine. Upping the ante, this machine combines powerful suction with even more powerful steam to help you tackle tough, oily, or deep-set stains from your carpet or upholstery. As an added benefit, this steam machine can clean grout and tile.
It took us just under five minutes to get this machine ready to rock and roll. It’s ready to use out of the box; all you need to do is add the water/solution mixture, and the instructions were pretty clear and straightforward. For those who like pictures, the instructions came with good illustrations. This machine features three cleaning modes, a generously sized dual tank system, and a few attachments, like a 5-inch Tough Stain Tool and Multi-Surface Tool, to help you get the job done.
As we conducted our testing, we found that five passes of the cleaning solution and 10 passes of suction were enough to rid the rug of the red wine and soda stains. Once again, the mustard and marinara sauce proved to be more difficult. Even with five passes of the cleaner and up to 45 passes of suction, neither stain showed much improvement. While the red and yellow stains from each remained, there was no sticky residue from the cleaning solution left on the rug. Our testing on the couch cushions yielded similar results. The red wine and soda cleaned up quickly, and the marinara and mustard were still stubborn.
This machine comes with Bissell’s own Pet Pro Oxy Spot and Stain Urine Eliminator, but our DIY method worked better on the upholstery. It didn’t completely eradicate the stains, but they were far more faint than when we used the Bissell solution.
Weighing just 13 pounds, this upholstery cleaner is pretty compact and easy to carry around. The length of the hose and power cord (both of which store directly on the unit itself) was more than enough to reach where it needed to go, and this unit would store nicely under a kitchen sink.
Filling the water tank was easy enough, as the tanks were clearly marked with water and solution measurements. And cleanup was just as easy—all we had to do was pull the tanks off, pour out contents, and rinse.
The noise coming from the machine wasn’t overwhelming. It’s totally possible to have a conversation while cleaning a couch cushion or two, but you might have to turn up the sound on your TV to hear clearly.
Capacity: 64 ounces | Size: 12.5 x 14.5 x 15.5 inches | Cord Length: 15 feet | Attachments: 5-inch Tough Stain Tool, Multi-Surface Tool
Southern Living / Dera Burreson
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The Home Depot
Next to your home, your car is probably the most high-traffic area (no pun intended) for you and your family. And when you’re hauling groceries, supplying the kids with backseat snacks, or grabbing coffee on the go, something’s bound to make a mess. This portable carpet cleaner works on messy messes in your home, and its compact and lightweight design is great for the car, too.
It’s easy to use, and it stacks up nicely against the others on our list. This multi-surface spot cleaner features two large-capacity water tanks, and unlike the others on our list, it has a self-cleaning mode that flushes debris from the hose when necessary. This unit cleans large areas with ease, and the 4-foot hose, 16-foot power cord, and 3-inch cleaning brush make it an ace for cleaning your car.
Our set-up time clocked in at nine minutes and 30 seconds. This was the longest set-up time out of the bunch, but we should note that there was some confusion on how much water and solution to use as it wasn’t clearly stated or otherwise intuitive.
Once we got started, the soda and wine came out of the rug with relative ease, and the marinara came out reasonably well. Overall, we found that this machine did a relatively good job of sucking up most of the water. However, we did notice some moisture on the paper towel.
This machine was also easy to use; there’s a simple on and off button and only one attachment. The attachment got into small spaces with ease, and unlike some upholstery cleaners, the hose was flexible and easy to maneuver. Like many of our entries, this machine is compact and portable. We should note, however, that the hose was a little reluctant to stay put when we wrapped things up. While conducting the tests, we didn’t notice a change in the noise level when suctioning water, and we could hold a conversation while using the machine.
While this machine performed relatively well and was great for the car, it may be a little pricey, considering that it’s really just a spot cleaner. There are no additional attachments beyond the 3-inch cleaning brush, and therefore, it’s not the best option for carpet cleaning around your home.
Capacity: 61 ounces | Size: 12. X 11.9 x 7 inches | Cord Length: 16 feet | Attachments: 3-inch Deep Cleaning Brush
Southern Living / Dera Burreson
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Walmart
Messy messes happen all the time, but if an upholstery cleaning machine isn’t in the budget, a spray solution might be the next best thing. Suitable for use as a pre-treater or spot and stain remover, this solution beautifully handles tough dirt, odors, and set-in stains. It’s made with biodegradable detergents and skips heavy metals, phosphates, and unnecessary dyes. If you’re concerned about your carbon footprint, you can rest easy knowing it bears the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice label, which means it’s safe for people and pets and better for the environment as a whole.
Our testing revealed that wine, soda, and marinara sauce were no match for this upholstery cleaner, as all of those stains came out with ease. And if you read through this roundup, you know that mustard consistently defeated our cleaning machines, and this solution was no exception. The mustard (as expected) left a visible stain. While it wasn’t tragic and not terribly noticeable, it was still there.
In another surprise, we found this solution wasn’t heavily scented. We didn’t notice much of a scent while using the product, and there were no lingering scents following the treatment.
Overall, we felt that this upholstery cleaning solution delivers a lot of bang for just a few bucks.
Type: Spray | Size: 22 ounces
Southern Living / Dera Burreson
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Amazon
To keep your leather items in tip-top shape, consider this complete leather care kit from Furniture Clinic. This one-and-done kit includes one bottle of leather cleaner, one bottle of leather conditioner, one sponge, and one cleaning cloth. While this kit cleans leather quite well, it also conditions, nourishes, and protects leather items. If that weren’t plenty, it leaves behind a protective barrier that safeguards leather items from future damage.
Out of the box, we hit a speed bump when getting started, as instructions were vague, and it was unclear which product to start with. Once we got going, however, we found that this leather cleaner cleaned the stains beautifully. Syrup and sunscreen were no match for this leather cleaner. While foundation makeup required a bit more elbow grease, the leather cleaner eventually erased it, leaving the area completely clean. And while you might think a creamy leather cleaner would leave some oily residue behind, we didn’t find that to be the case here.
Overall, once we got past the confusion over where to start, we found this leather cleaner to be effective, easily surpassing our DIY cleaning method. Moreover, at the end of our test, we felt the leather looked much more soft, supple, and new than it did before cleaning. This leather cleaner has a light citrus scent. It dissipated quickly, and the leather went back to smelling like leather.
While $38 may sound like a stretch for liquid cleaner, we thought this cleaner was absolutely worth the price. Not only does it work flawlessly, but it makes leather items look better than new.
Type: Cream | Size: 17 ounces
Southern Living / Dera Burreson
The Bottom Line
After spraying, squeezing, and suctioning, we found the Dirt Devil Portable Carpet & Upholstery Spot Cleaner to be the best upholstery cleaner overall. This machine is easy to use, it removed food stains with ease, and cleanup was a breeze. The soda and wine cleaned up beautifully with no traces left behind. While the mustard and marinara were a bit more tricky, all of the machines we tested yielded similar results. This upholstery cleaner is lightweight and compact, and it tackles stairs, corners, and crevices with ease. All things considered, it’s an excellent value.
If you’re looking for a spray solution, the Bissell OXY Stain Pretreat for Carpet & Upholstery was the most effective at handling set-in stains, including wine, soda, and even marinara sauce. Not to mention, it’s made with biodegradable detergents and no heavy metals, phosphates, and unnecessary dyes.
Our Testing Process
To compile this list, we tested 23 products—10 machines and 13 solutions. We stained rugs and couch cushions with common culprits that cause messes and stains in most homes, like red wine, dark soda, marinara sauce, and mustard. We let the stains sit for 20 minutes and then proceeded to test the machines and solutions. To start the assessment process, we set a timer to determine how long it takes to set the machines up for use. Holding the machines approximately 2 feet away (hip height), we recorded the decibel reading at the highest (and lowest, if there was one) setting.
Then, starting with the rugs, we tackled the stains. First, we wiped away any excess staining agent with paper towels. Then, we proceeded to clean the rugs with the machines. We recorded the number of cleaning passes (depositing cleaning solution and water) and suction passes (picking up the water into the dirty water tank) for each stain. After going through the same process for all four stains, we felt the rugs to see how dry (or wet) they were to the touch. We took the dampness test a step further and placed a dry paper towel over the stains, pressing into the rug for five seconds to see how much moisture came up on the paper towel. We repeated the same testing process for the cushions. We will be long-term testing these cleaners and will update this piece with fresh insights as we have them.
Southern Living / Dera Burreson
Tips for Choosing the Right Upholstery Cleaner
Compatible Surfaces
“It’s important to make sure your cleaner is a good match for the fabric you’re dealing with,” says Cotter. “If your upholstery is made of silk, velvet, or leather, you need to pick a cleaner that can be dialed down to a gentle setting. For ones made of synthetic blends, cotton, and microfiber, you typically get a broader range of cleaner choices. You can go for the ones with some muscle, more suction power, and aggressive cleaning settings for a more thorough scrub. And if you’ve got a vintage or unique fabric, you might want to consult with professionals or consider a specialized cleaning approach.”
Included Attachments
When it comes to upholstery cleaners, attachment tools can be make or break. Remember that stains and messes don’t always happen in the most convenient places. To ensure you have a machine that’s more useful than not, look for attachments like crevice tools, extension wands, and brushes for deeper cleaning.
Portability
Messes and mishaps can happen anywhere, anytime, so portability is key. Cotter says, “Being able to whisk your cleaner from one room to another or up and down the stairs without breaking a sweat is a time and energy-saver.” When checking off the boxes for portability, think about the weight of the machine (with and without water in the tank), cord length, and the number and positioning of attachments.
Cleanup
If your machine needs to be dismantled after each use, you might want to reconsider—no one wants to clean up after they’ve cleaned up, so be sure to check the care and cleaning instructions for any machine before purchasing. Self-cleaning functions probably top the list of desirables, while tanks that only require a rinse-out post-cleaning are a close second.
Southern Living / Dera Burreson
More to Consider
Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner: This machine went viral on TikTok, so we had to include it in our tests. While we found that the machine was easy to set up and easy to use, it didn’t measure up to the hype in terms of stain removal. If you need something for light cleaning and regular maintenance, this is a good pick. However, if wine and soda stains are standard issue messes in your home, you may want to stick with Bissell’s other Little Green machine on our list—the HydroSteam Pet, our pick for the best upholstery steam cleaner.
OxiClean Total Interior Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner: Like most of the machines and spray cleaners on our list, this entry from OxiClean tackled all stains, except the mustard, quite well. While the stains came out, we noticed a blue tinge on the cleaning surfaces, which may be some type of chemical reaction. While the foam is easy to use, and the cleaning agents work quickly, you may want to spot-test before going all in.
Zep Advanced Oxy Carpet & Upholstery Stain Remover: This stain remover makes our more-to-consider list because it handles most stains with ease. The wine and soda were erased with only a little elbow grease, but like most cleaners and machines on our list, the marinara and mustard were more challenging. The Zep stain remover didn’t completely remove the stains, but it certainly lightened them. This stain remover worked better on upholstery than carpet; it was easy to work with and had a pleasant smell.
Southern Living / Dera Burreson
Questions and Answers
What fabrics can an upholstery cleaner machine clean?
“Upholstery cleaner machines work well with synthetic fabrics, cotton and cotton blends, and faux leather,” says Cotter. “While they can also tackle delicate fabrics like velvet and suede, users should be careful when doing so.”
How often should you clean upholstery?
There’s no one-and-done answer regarding the right frequency of upholstery cleaning.
Cotter says, “A light once-over each week will keep most upholstery surfaces tidy and pet hair at bay. High-traffic areas might need more attention, while those less-used pieces can be spaced out. A deep and thorough cleaning is ideal every one to two years, but unexpected spills require immediate attention to prevent stains from sticking around.”
How do you care for an upholstery cleaning machine?
In most cases, it’s best to follow the cleaning and maintenance instructions that come with your machine. If those directions aren’t readily available, Cotter tells us, we should
“Empty the tanks and clean the filters regularly. It keeps your machine working well and prevents any weird smells. If you spot any clogs in the nozzles and hoses, clear them out to keep your cleaner’s suction power in good working order. The brushes on your machine are notorious for collecting hair and debris, so be sure to clean them every now and then. If they look worn out, think about getting new ones.”
Finally, Cotter says you should “avoid leaving your cleaner in damp areas, as moisture can lead to mold build-up, which will ultimately damage the machine. Storage in a dry and cool place is better.”
How much should you spend on an upholstery cleaner?
There’s no black-and-white answer for how much you should spend on an upholstery cleaner. This will, of course, vary based on the specific needs of your home, lifestyle, and budget.
Typically, machines with more cleaning power and bells and whistles will cost upwards of $400, mid-range machines tend to run somewhere between $150-$300, and budget machines (keep in mind this doesn’t necessarily imply quality) are typically available for less than $150.
Why Trust Southern Living
This article was written by Sharon Brandwein, Certified Sleep Science Coach and freelance commerce writer. Over the last six years, Sharon has written product reviews and roundups for a variety of online publishers. To compile this list of the best upholstery cleaners, we conducted over 48 hours of testing on 10 machines and 13 cleaning solutions. We evaluated each on performance, ease of use, suction power, noise level, and overall value, narrowing it down to the seven best upholstery cleaners. For expert insight, we spoke to Will Cotter, the COO of HappyCleans.
