We researched and tested dozens of upholstery cleaners in The Lab and at home, rating each on its ease of setup, effectiveness, portability, noise level, and overall value. After analyzing our insights, we chose the Bissell SpotBot Pet Portable Deep Cleaner as our favorite upholstery cleaner, because it’s effective on a variety of stains, from salsa spills to crayon marks, and is easy to use and store. Below, the best upholstery cleaners for freshening up your favorite pieces, backed by our thorough testing and research. Stubborn stains can be a real nuisance, requiring vigorous scrubbing, re-treatment, and a lot of persistence. The Bissell SpotBot Pet is specifically designed to take out stains while minimizing your hands-on effort and elbow grease, and that’s why it’s our top pick. Our at-home tester challenged this carpet and upholstery cleaner with removing the evidence of salsa spills, crayon marks, and other stains left on the couch by kids and pets. The appliance earned a 5-star rating and saved our tester’s furniture with its effective and easy-to-use design. “The Bissell Spotbot Pet unit was easy to move around the room,” our tester said. “It has a built-in handle that we used to position it just over the spot we wanted to clean, as well as move it over to the couch. It is light enough to lift up and stow away on a shelf.” Like other models in the Bissell SpotBot lineup, this version features automatic and manual cleaning modes. When cleaning dirty couch cushions, our tester used the manual mode and the included tough stain tool (which is conveniently stored on the SpotBot, along with the hose). She found it easy to use the trigger to dispense cleaning solution when necessary. Working on vertical surfaces (like the back of the couch) required a little effort to keep the cleaning solution from running down the couch. After some trial and error, our tester found that it was easiest to dispense just a small amount of solution and quickly work that into the upholstery with the cleaning tool—rather than saturate a larger area. In automatic cleaning mode, the Bissell SpotBot Pet impressed us with its hands-free cleaning ability. A motorized, rotating brush dispenses cleaning solution from the on-board tank and adjusts brush speed to thoroughly agitate carpet fibers. After six minutes on the deep clean setting, the SpotBot beeped to indicate its cleaning cycle was complete and our tester was delighted to see that the spot had disappeared. The only drawback is that this machine can only clean spots 5 to 6 inches in diameter at a time. Otherwise, it’s an easy-to-use and effective machine that’s perfect for stain-fighting pros and new users alike. Price at time of publish: $186 In our testing, we found that this upholstery cleaner removes and lifts stains quickly, earning it a 4-star rating in effectiveness. There was a faint stain left behind on some of the stickier substances, but with a little more elbow grease, we believe it would likely completely come up. We like that the handheld cleaning tool offers you the ability to easily scrub cushions that have become soiled or stained—and the 5-foot cleaning hose provides plenty of reach. You also don’t need to worry about bacteria and mold growing in the hose during storage, since the back of the machine features a port for flushing the hose after you’re done using it. There are a few trade-offs if you opt for a budget upholstery cleaner. There’s no onboard water heater or steam function, so that makes it less versatile than some of our other picks for upholstery cleaners. And while the Hoover Spotless Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner does clean carpet as well as furniture, it lacks the ability to clean large areas of either one without a lot of manual effort on your part. Still, it’s a good single solution for removing stains and spills on soft surfaces in your home. Price at time of publish: $107 Resembling a handheld vacuum, this upholstery cleaner uses a powered brush to agitate soiled surfaces, lifting stains and dirt from fabric or carpet fibers. The 8-ounce tank—which you’ll fill with cleaning solution—is smaller than what you’ll find on portable or full-size upholstery cleaners. However, it does help make it one of the lightest models on the market, at just 4.4 pounds. A built-in handle gives you the leverage and control you need to clean sofas, stairs, and car seats, without the need to manage attachments and hoses. The Bissell Pet Stain Eraser PowerBrush is also cordless, giving you the ability to use it anywhere that stains or spills pop up. One of its specific uses is cleaning up pet messes, so the single included attachment is a stationary pet brush with rubber bristles for grabbing pet hair. There are no additional attachments for purposes like reaching into crevices or underneath low pieces of furniture or seats in your car. Still, it makes an effective grab-and-go option for cleaning up messes, and it stores easily. Price at time of publish: $127 In addition to this spray’s effectiveness, our tester was pleasantly surprised by its minty aroma. Compared to the typical smell of harsh chemicals, she said she appreciated the subtle, clean scent that was left behind from this spray. Although this spray is slightly more expensive than other options, the amount you receive in a bottle, coupled with its effectiveness, make it worth the price point in our book. Price at time of publish: $20 Despite this shorter cleaning routine, the cream effectively removes dirt and residue, while also using natural oils to condition and restore the appearance of leather. When doing so, it doesn’t darken the surface color or alter the look of your furniture. It’s safe for use on finished leather, but should not be used on suede, nubuck, or unfinished leather. While we didn’t test this pick at home or in The Lab, we do love that you can also use it on shoes, bags, or car seats, making it a versatile product. In addition to the cream, Weiman also has leather conditioning wipes and sprays available, if you prefer to use that type of product. Price at time of publish: $13 This upholstery cleaner wasn’t as speedy at cleaning up a sticky ketchup stain—requiring about two minutes of steaming and some hands-on scraping. Our tester gave the overall cleaning experience a total of 3.5 stars for that reason. The bottom line is that you may have to put in more work to pre-treat sticky stains and spend a few extra minutes when using this upholstery cleaner, but it’s effective and compact. Setting up the appliance for the first time took a little longer than expected, but that was partially because the tester filled the wrong water tank. We can’t fault the machine for not heating up as quickly as expected (the process took about 13 minutes.), the instructions could be clearer. If you’re on a search for a versatile upholstery cleaner, keep in mind that this one is designed for cleaning soft surfaces only. For that reason, plus the fact it only includes a single attachment, we rated it 3 stars for versatility. Price at time of publish: $110 The Armor All 3-in-1 cleaner cleans, lifts away stains, and eliminates odors, leaving behind a “new car” scent. To some, the scent may be too strong, so if you’re sensitive to smells, keep that in mind when you’re scoping out this foaming solution. We didn’t test this upholstery cleaner, but it’s key at lifting away coffee stains and dirt from a car’s interior. You might have to turn to an upholstery machine for a super tough stain, as this cleaner doesn’t perform as well on caked-on stains. However, for the price, this cleaner and scrub brush would make great additions to your car cleaning supplies. Price at time of publish: $6 The Hoover CleanSlate Pet Carpet Spot Cleaner was compared to a “water vacuum” by our tester, and it performed especially well on soiled surfaces in our testing. We prepped cushions with two different types of stains—a saucy, sticky stain and a dirty spot. Removing the soil stain was a fun experience for our tester, who described the process as being like “a car wash for a cushion.” In just one minute and 30 seconds, the dirt was gone. It took more than a few passes (and quite a bit of solution) to remove the ketchup, but our tester still described using this upholstery cleaner as “really satisfying.” We adjusted the effectiveness score to 3 stars to reflect the extra effort required to remove a sticky stain, but it’s nothing that would hold us back from recommending this model for use as a pet stain upholstery cleaner. The manufacturer recommends pre-treating pet stains and using OXY formula in the machine in order to rid yourself of stains and odors. During use, our tester especially liked the 7-inch wide cleaning tool and reported that it distributed cleaning solution well and was a good choice for sofas or other large areas. This upholstery cleaner is only designed for use on soft surfaces and includes a bristle brush for reaching tight spots. Compared to other upholstery cleaners, it’s less versatile, but it was easy to use and very portable. Price at time of publish: $130 Could you easily carry it around? Could it be used for multiple cleaning tasks around your home? Both at home and in The Lab, we answered all of these questions so you wouldn’t have to. To wrap up testing of machines, we rated the noise level of each model. For non-machine picks, like an upholstery-cleaning spray, we tested the effectiveness by tasking the spray cleaners with red wine, barbecue sauce, mud, and wolf urine stains on carpet and upholstery. Our testers rated the ease of use of each product and noted its scent and whether the application process was simple or messy. For all machine and non-machine cleaners, testers used their entire experience to rate the overall value of a product. At home, testers rated additional picks on the same attributes after putting everyday, real-world problems to them, like salsa spills and crayon marks. We then boiled down all of our testing insights and research to choose the cleaners we believed to be the very best.

What to Look for in an Upholstery Cleaner

Type

All upholstery cleaners share a common purpose, but they vary in type and cleaning method. The most common type of upholstery cleaners are handheld appliances that are primarily used to spot-clean furniture and carpets. They’re usually equipped with clean and dirty water tanks, and some models also heat the water for extra cleaning power. Typically, you can add a cleaning solution to the water tank during setup to help the machine tackle the mess you’re targeting. “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, in this instance vacuumed away. A machine with variable levels of power is optimal as you can clean heavier fabric with it on a powerful setting and then lighter fabrics on a lower setting.” Some handheld and upright appliances are considered carpet cleaners, while others are considered steam cleaners or upholstery cleaners. The product name refers to the product’s cleaning method and most compatible surface type, but it’s key to look at the specifications, as your machine is likely equipped to clean more than one spot in your home. Out of the three, steam cleaners are eco-friendly, requiring only water and no cleaning concentrate. The steam produced can dissolve and lift stains from soft surfaces, and many picks can also be used on hard surfaces, like tile, glass, or plastic. However, they can be more complicated to assemble and use than handheld upholstery cleaners. You may find that the hose or attachments become hot and sometimes drip water, too. Steam cleaners may also not be the best option for pet owners—heat can often set in the pet stains and odors you are trying to eliminate. Aside from appliances, you can opt for a spray, wipe, or cream, like the Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Oxy Stain Remover, which is our “best spray” pick, or the Weiman Deep Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Cream, which is our “best for leather” pick. These products will require more effort to use, but they may be more cost-effective if you’re cleaning small spots around your home or treating a specific type of material, like leather. Just be prepared to put in more elbow grease.

Compatible Surfaces

While upholstery cleaners are designed to work on soft surfaces, be sure to check that the product you are considering is a match for the surfaces you plan to use it on. Steam cleaners will work with fabrics, carpets, and hard surfaces, in most cases. Katie Berry, The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board member, advises that upholstery cleaners not be used on some fabrics, like velvet and velour, as they can permanently damage them. So, check the upholstery care label’s codes before using an appliance. If you’re looking at an upholstery cleaning spray, be sure the formula is safe for use on furniture. By checking your fabric’s care label and testing the spray on a hidden area, you can avoid discoloration or other adverse effects, too. “Upholstered items typically have a code system,” says Lauren Bowen, Director of Franchise Operations at Two Maids & A Mop. This system usually notes what type of cleaning agent you should use when sprucing up your space. Since every machine has its own directions for use and best practices, she adds, “It’s always a good idea to thoroughly read the directions and spot-test the piece you’re cleaning.” If you have a sample of your fabric, you could also test a product there rather than on the actual piece of furniture.

Included Attachments

The effectiveness and usability of an upholstery cleaner can be enhanced with the use of the right attachments. Handheld and upright upholstery cleaners frequently have a hand tool for dispensing cleaning solution or for agitating stains. Steam cleaners are known for coming with many attachments, including fabric steamers, brushes, and microfiber bonnets or cleaning pads that can absorb stains from your furniture. Our best budget pick, the Hoover Spotless Portable Carpet & Upholstery Spot Cleaner, has a handheld tool that helps agitate stains and lift them from carpet or upholstery.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Erica Puisis has been researching home products for The Spruce since 2017, delivering insights and advice on the latest innovations in cleaning products and technology. When writing this article, Erica relied on testing insights from The Lab and our at-home product testers to compare attributes such as usability and effectiveness, in addition to each product’s features. For more insight, she spoke to Lauren Bowen, Director of Franchise Operations at Two Maids & A Mop. Bowen provided insights on the best practices for using an upholstery cleaner and advice on abiding by fabric care labels. Wayne Edelman, CEO of Meurice Garment Care and CLEAN by Meurice, notes that commercial machines typically have a variety of tools they use to “deliver and remove the solvent, or water,” in addition to a variety of suction levels. We noticed that in our testing, as several appliances came with attachments you can use to achieve a different clean. “Besides the equipment, there is a level of expertise required to determine what origin stains are and what best solutions, products, or combinations are best to remove the stains.” If you’re unsure, you’ll want to consult with an expert to make sure your method is most effective and safe for the fabric and stain you’re working with, as well as the fabric’s cleaning codes. When using a spray, start by blotting up the moisture with a clean cloth. Then, apply a small amount of the cleaner, and continue blotting (or gently scrubbing, if needed) to remove the stain. No matter which type of upholstery cleaner you use, always let the fabric dry completely, and away from direct sunlight, before using it again. As for deeper cleans with an upholstery cleaner, steam cleaner, or professional service, once or twice per year would be ideal. Edelman recommends using a gentle, anionic, wet cleaning detergent on upholstery, because that type of detergent 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.” American-made furniture should have a tag on it with a proper cleaning code, as well, to help guide you in your cleaning endeavors. These codes include: W, S, W-S, or X. 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,” and X is a sign to avoid all household cleaning products and consult with a professional. When in doubt, test a small patch in a hidden spot before using a cleaner on a larger area. Multi-surface liquid formulas can often be used on carpets as well as drapes, car interiors, car seats, and strollers. Be sure to check the intended use before using a product to clean any surface. This article was updated by Erin Johnson, a commerce editor for The Spruce who focuses on appliances, cleaning, and organization. Erin considered additional lab insights as well as new and tried-and-true upholstery cleaners to add to this roundup. Emma Phelps, an updates writer for The Spruce, also reached out to Wayne Edelman, CEO of Meurice Garment Care and CLEAN by Meurice, for additional insight on the best application methods for upholstery cleaners and to learn the difference between commercial and residential machines.

What Is Spruce Approved?

Here at The Spruce, we want to ensure that we fully stand behind every product we recommend, and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all of these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.