8 Best Upholstery Cleaners, Tested by Experts

Unlike clothing and other home linens, upholstery isn’t easy to clean—after all, you can’t just toss soiled furniture into the washing machine. This is why many experts rely on specially formulated upholstery cleaners to tackle tough spills, stains, and other messes on fabric-covered, padded pieces.

These 9 Upholstery Cleaners Will Make Your Furniture Look Like New, Say Professional Cleaners

Use them to treat dirt, set-in stains, and odor on your padded, fabric-covered couches, accent chairs, and more.

Lauren is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com.

Unlike clothing and other home linens, upholstery isn’t easy to clean—after all, you can’t just toss soiled furniture into the washing machine. This is why many experts rely on specially formulated upholstery cleaners to tackle tough spills, stains, and other messes on fabric-covered, padded pieces.

To make sure you get the right formula (or machine) for the job, you’ll need to consider exactly what you need to clean. Different fabrics require different cleaning solutions and techniques, says Justin Carpenter, an entrepreneur, cleaning expert, investor, and general manager of Modern Maids. “Synthetic fabrics like microfiber or polyester are generally easier to clean with milder solutions,” he says. Natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, wool, and leather, require more specialized cleaning formulas and methods.

While you shop, also keep in mind just how soiled your furniture is. “Upholstery cleaners are designed for a variety of types of messes, from light surface dirt to tough stains,” Carpenter says. “If you’re dealing with heavy soiling, it’s important to use a cleaner that has deep-cleaning capabilities or enzyme-based formulas that can break down tough stains.” For particularly stubborn issues, you might want to look into upholstery cleaner machines (we have a top-rated iteration on our list, below), instead of a spray formulation.

Finally, your budget and the size of the soiled area should also be considered. “Some upholstery cleaners come in small bottles that are perfect for spot cleaning, while others come in larger sizes for cleaning entire furniture pieces,” Carpenter explains. “If you’re looking to save money, consider opting for a multi-purpose cleaner that can be used on a variety of surfaces.”

What to Look for in an Upholstery Cleaner

When shopping for upholstery cleaners—we’ve rounded up some of the best options on the market, below—there are a few ingredients to look for and a few terms to understand before you hit stores.

Water-Based Cleaners

If the label says that your cleaner is water-based, that means water is going to be one of the main ingredients. That doesn’t mean the upholstery cleaner is completely non-toxic: Even water-based cleaners can contain chemical ingredients that are considered harmful if they come into contact with your skin, eyes, or are ingested.

Enzyme-Based Cleaners

Cleaners with this on their label generally contain proteases, lipases, and amylases proteins that are helpful when it comes to breaking down messes at a molecular level. They’re particularly helpful for larger or set-in stains that are resistant to water-based solutions.

Surfactants

This is a catchall phrase for active agent compounds found in cleaning formulas. They help lift dirt and oil off a surface so that it can be wiped away, lowering the amount of elbow grease you’ll need to use to get your furniture looking its best. These may be listed as amine oxide, amphoteric (ampholytic), and anionic to name a few.

Upholstery Cleaner Tips

As with any cleaning product, you’ll want to ensure you’re not doing more harm than good. “Always follow the instructions on the label and test the cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area first to avoid damaging your upholstery,” says Hugo Guerrero, a certified House Cleaning Technician (HCT) and Carpet Repair and Reinstallation Technician (RRT) from New York and a consultant at Mattressive.Cleaning.

OxiClean Total Interior Upholstery Cleaner

This aerosol cleaner comes with a built-in scrubber to make removing upholstery stains even easier. Carpenter recommends this brand, which is safe to use on leather, fabric, and vinyl, for tackling a bunch of different cleaning jobs in and around the house.

Sold as an auto cleaner, this small and easy-to-use can is great for those one-off big jobs or a series of little tasks that need an extra cleaning boost.

Blue Magic Heavy Foam Upholstery Cleaner

If you’re searching for a cleaner that can help keep your upholstered surfaces looking better for longer, check out Blue Magic. This aerosol can not only comes with an attached scrub brush for a deeper clean, but it also brightens your fabrics. Formulated with stain removal technology, this product makes spills easier to remove, since they’ll have a harder time penetrating fibers after you’ve used this cleaner a few times.

Resolve Upholstery and Multi-Fabric Cleaner

Carpenter recommends this formula for its deep cleaning and stain removal capabilities. While it has the cleaning power to get set-in stains out, it’s still gentle enough to use on most fabrics, including polyester, nylon, and some cotton blends—so you can say goodbye to marks caused by makeup, coffee, wine and more.

Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover

If you’re dealing with hard-to-treat pet stains, this rinse-free Folex formula may be just what you’re looking for, says Guerrero. “This water-based solvent is a popular choice for removing tough stains from upholstery,” he says, adding that it’s safe enough for most fabrics. It works on messes left behind by your four-legged friends, as well as some (including ink stains) caused by your two-legged counterparts.

Woolite Advanced Stain and Odor Remover + Sanitize

Another water-based solvent, this formula is designed to remove stains and odors from upholstery. “It’s safe for most fabrics and can effectively remove pet stains, food stains, and other common stains,” Guerrero says. When you use it to sanitize, it will kill 99.9 percent of all bacteria on your upholstery. And to make you feel good about all that cleaning power, the spray bottle can be kept and refilled once you run out, creating less waste.

Carbona 2-in-1 Upholstery and Carpet Cleaner

The Carbona 2-in-1 Upholstery and Carpet Cleaner has an attached scrubbing brush to help make cleaning up messes easier. “It contains active foam that lifts dirt and stains to the surface for easy removal,” Guerrero says. “Customers report that it works well for removing pet stains, wine stains, and other tough stains.”

Blue Coral Upholstery Cleaner

Get more bang for your buck with this water-based solvent, which is designed to clean and protect upholstery. “It contains a special blend of cleaning agents and fabric softeners that can effectively remove dirt and stains while leaving the fabric soft and clean,” says Guerrero. The aerosol canister comes with a built-in scrub brush to remove set-in stains or spills that have gotten deep into tightly woven threads. It’s not safe for use on suede, leather, silk, and other delicate fabrics, though.

Method Stain and Odor Treatment Spray

If you prefer to use plant-based cleaners on the surfaces that touch your skin, you might like this upholstery cleaner from Method. This formula contains both stain lifters and odor fighters, making it perfect for tough stains that leave more than an unsightly mess behind. This product is also free of silicones, sulfates, and phthalates.

Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

Is your spray formula just not cutting it? Consider this top-rated upholstery cleaner machine, which uses powerful suction and steam to get the job done. It’s particularly handy for pet owners, works on carpets (as well as upholstered furniture), and is completely portable, so you can tackle just about any piece in your home—including your car.

8 Best Upholstery Cleaners, Tested by Experts

Even in a house without kids and pets, upholstered furniture — couches, arm chairs, dining room sets and even the seats in your car — get more wear and tear than you might think. Regular vacuuming can help remove loose dust and dirt like pet hair, but it’s not enough to get the job done. Without the extra attention of one of the best upholstery cleaners, pet accidents, food and drink spills and other messes threaten to leave your furniture with stains and funky odors.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Upholstery Cleaner

Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

Best Upholstery Cleaner Spray for Stains

Woolite INSTAclean Permanent Stain and Odor Remover, Pack of 2

Best Upholstery Cleaner for Pet Stains

Bissell Professional Stain and Odor Stain Remover

Best Upholstery Cleaner for Delicate Fabrics

Capture Carpet and Rug Dry Cleaner

Best Plant-Based Upholstery Cleaner

Method Stain and Odor Treatment Spray

Best Multi-Purpose Upholstery Cleaner

Lively Pet Multi-Surface Stain and Odor Remover

Best Upholstery Cleaner for Leather

Furniture Clinic Leather Care Kit

Best Upholstery Cleaner for Red Wine Stains

Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover

Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, our Home Care and Cleaning Lab experts rigorously test all kinds of products and appliances for taking care of the household fabrics that you can’t just toss into the washing machine, including portable and full-size carpet cleaners, carpet and upholstery stain removers and even fabric steamers and fuzz removers, for ease of use, efficacy and added features, among other important attributes.

Below, you’ll find the best upholstery cleaners from our testing, whether you plan on deep-cleaning a fabric couch or spot-cleaning a leather chair, plus more about how we test these cleaners and why you should trust our recommendations.

Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

Pros

• Works on large and small areas
• Easy to carry and store
• Powerful suction
• Comes with a tool to rinse the hose after use

Cons

If you’re a TikTok fan, there’s no way you could have missed the viral videos on how this little powerhouse brings new life to dingy couches. Easy to store and easy to tote from room to room, Bissell’s Little Green can remove just one stain or clean an entire sofa. Simply fill the clean tank with water and one of Bissell’s cleaning formulas. Then, dispense the solution through the nozzle, gently scrub with the soft brush, and vacuum it all back into the dirty water tank for easy emptying.

In our tests, this portable cleaner made quick work of removing stains without damaging fabrics (or carpet) and it picks up spills faster and more thoroughly than you can with a cloth. Even if it is somewhat loud, we like that the long hose and compact nozzle make getting into tight and curvy spaces, like armrests, easy.

Type	Electric machine
Size	9.56 lbs
Works on carpet and upholstery	Yes
Best for fabrics coded	W and WS

Woolite INSTAclean Permanent Stain and Odor Remover, Pack of 2

Woolite INSTAclean Permanent Stain and Odor Remover, Pack of 2

Pros

• Contains oxy ingredients to lighten stains
• Works quickly
• EPA Safer Choice certified

Cons

• Should be tested for color safety in a hidden spot
• Not for silk, velvet, vinyl or leather upholstery

Blotting is a key first step to successfully removing upholstery stains, but usually you need to do more. Woolite’s Instaclean stain remover contains ingredients that help penetrate and break up stains on contact. Simply apply, let set for one minute and blot. Hydrogen peroxide in the formula acts like a fabric-safe bleach to fade stains like tomato sauce, coffee, fruit juice and more without damaging the fabric.

In our tests, Woolite’s line of carpet and upholstery stain removers worked quickly and thoroughly without the need for extra rinsing or blotting. To note: Even though the oxy bleaches in this EPA Safer Choice certified formula are color-safe, it’s best to test it on a hidden spot for safety before treating any stain. And it should never be used on silk, velvet, vinyl or leather upholstery like car seats.

Type	Spray
Size	22 oz
Works on carpet and upholstery	Yes
Best for fabrics coded	W and WS

Bissell Professional Stain and Odor Stain Remover

Bissell Professional Stain and Odor Stain Remover

Pros

• Contains enzymes to tackle bacteria and odors
• Works on carpets, upholstery and mattresses

Cons

Pet stains, including dog or cat urine, are problematic for two reasons. It’s not just that the stain looks bad, but that the odor — if left untreated — draws Fluffy or Scout back to do their business on the very same spot again. This Bissell formula contains enzymes that attack both the stain and the odor pet messes leave behind.

After using it to erase the stain, place a moist cloth over the area and let it sit 12 to 72 hours. This keeps the enzymes working to completely eradicate the smell and to throw your pet off the trail. In our tests, Bissell did a great job removing food stains, too, and works just as well on carpeting and mattresses. In fact, we recommend using it for wherever pet stains happen. While it works quickly on visible stains, it’s best to give it time to erase odors.

Type	Spray
Size	22 oz
Works on carpet and upholstery	Yes
Best for fabrics coded	W and WS

Capture Carpet and Rug Dry Cleaner

Capture Carpet and Rug Dry Cleaner

Pros

• Safe for delicate fabrics
• Doesn’t cause water spots
• Brightens fabrics and removes dirt

Cons

Upholstery fabrics like silk and velvet can’t be cleaned with the majority of upholstery cleaners on the market, which are usually water-based and safe only for fabrics that don’t leave water spots. As a result, you’ll see these furniture pieces labeled with the cleaning code S, for solvent cleaning only. These upholstered pieces, while beautiful, are not the best choices for high-traffic, frequently used rooms. When regular vacuuming with your vacuum’s upholstery tool isn’t enough, Capture’s dry powder formula can freshen and brighten delicate fabrics or carpets without damage. To use it, liberally sprinkle Capture on the cushions, back, armrests and even fresh stains, then gently brush it in. Let sit 30 minutes to give the granules time to absorb dirt and stains, then vacuum.

While we haven’t specifically tested this Capture powder on upholstery, the product has been on the market for many years and based on our previous testing on carpeting and its favorable online reviews, we are comfortable recommending it for upholstery. For any set-in stains or ones that were unable to be removed on S-code fabrics, it’s best to call in a professional.

Type	Granules
Size	16 oz
Works on carpet and upholstery	Yes
Best for fabrics coded	W, S and WS