Top Upholstery Cleaners We've Tested and Approved

Top Pick

The BISSELL 3624 Spot Clean Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner, though marketed for carpets, exceeded our expectations on upholstery. Setup was straightforward, the water tank was easy to fill, and switching between spraying and suction felt seamless. Its lightweight, portable design, along with convenient onboard storage for the hose and power cord, made it a breeze to use around the house. We were so impressed that we ended up testing it on nearly every surface.

We tested this cleaner on upholstery, carpets, and stairs, and were impressed by its ease of use, even in cramped spaces and tricky angles. However, the attachment release button was too small, requiring a thumbnail to operate. While there’s no onboard storage for attachments, its lightweight design and portability more than made up for it.

The main drawback was its noise level, making it difficult to hold a conversation or watch TV while cleaning. Despite this, it excelled at removing wine, pet stains, soda, and marinara sauce, with only minor struggles against mustard. Even after six months of regular use, it maintains its cleaning power and efficiency.

Weight: 13 pounds | Surface Compatibility: Upholstery, carpet, stairs, car interiors, and area rugs | Tank Capacity: 96 ounces | Attachments: 3-inch stain tool and 6-inch stair tool

Top Affordable Pick

The Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner effortlessly handled soda and wine spills without leaving residue and made cleaning sticky pet messes like drool and paw prints a breeze. Its setup is straightforward, and the machine is user-friendly, with intuitive tank filling and emptying. Switching attachments was as easy as a single click. 

The extended power cord eliminated the need to constantly search for outlets, providing ample reach for cleaning carpets and couches. The ergonomic handle added comfort during use, and its lightweight design—just under 7 pounds—made it one of the easiest models to carry. Its compact size also makes storage hassle-free, fitting into nearly any space.

However, if you need a cleaner for deep-set stains, this might not meet your needs. While it lightened stubborn stains like marinara sauce and mustard, faint marks remained. Still, it excelled in most cleaning tasks, and its affordability and convenience make it a great option for everyday use. Even after six months of regular use, this compact cleaner continues to impress.

Weight: 6.5 pounds | Surface Compatibility: Upholstery, carpets, stairs, and car interiors | Tank Capacity: 19 ounces | Attachments: 4-inch stain tool, and 2-in-1 pet tool for pet messes and embedded dirt

Top Cordless Pick

The Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner 3682 stood out as the top choice in the cordless upholstery cleaner category. It’s user-friendly, tackles everyday spills and stains effectively, and requires fewer water refills compared to other models. 

As with all cordless cleaners, we appreciated its versatility and portability. Its compact size and ergonomic design made it particularly convenient for quick spot cleaning, standing out among other cordless options.

While it excelled at removing dried food and drink stains, tougher marks required additional cleaning solutions. The wide spray nozzle was highly effective but occasionally left fabrics slightly wetter than desired. Still, it delivered excellent results in nearly every scenario.

The battery lasts 20 to 30 minutes of continuous use before needing a recharge. Cleaning the machine was also hassle-free, thanks to its self-cleaning hose tool that flushes out debris and detergent effortlessly. The detachable dirty-water tank made emptying and rinsing a breeze.

Weight: 7 pounds | Surface Compatibility: Upholstery, carpet, stairs, and car interiors | Tank Capacity: 34 ounces | Attachments: 3-inch tool, HydroRinse tool for cleaning the hose

Top Suction Performance

While most at-home upholstery cleaners lack strong suction, the Shark StainStriker stands out. Among all the models we tested, its suction power effortlessly removed wine stains, pet messes, odors, and more. The additional attachments were versatile, easy to switch, and effective on various surfaces, fabrics, and spills—particularly fresh ones. We appreciated its ready-to-use design, requiring no setup.

Its compact size was another plus. The small build made its impressive suction even more surprising; we didn’t expect such power from a cleaner weighing under nine pounds. It became our go-to for quick cleanups on stairs, furniture, curtains, and more.

If we could improve one thing, we’d add a plain water rinse option for better post-cleaning results. The cleaning-solution-only spray sometimes left surfaces slightly sticky without a thorough rinse. Still, it’s perfect for routine cleaning and tackling fresh spills before they set in.

Weight: 8.51 pounds | Surface Compatibility: Carpets, area rugs, couches, upholstery, and car interiors | Tank Capacity: 24 ounces | Attachments: -inch reversible bristle tool, crevice tool, pet tool, and hose-cleaning tool

Top Heavy-Duty Pick

For tough pet stains and large spills, this extra-large spot cleaner is the answer. It effortlessly handled pet messes, dark soda, and red wine stains with a consistent spray, delivering quick and thorough cleaning. It even managed to remove stains we believed were permanent.

It includes multiple attachments, such as a rubber-bristled head, a tool for tight spaces, and a wide 7-inch cleaning path tool. Weighing 11 pounds, its retractable handle aids maneuverability, though navigating stairs and tight spaces proved challenging. 

The larger size enhances suction power and accommodates a 96-ounce tank, reducing the need for frequent refills during extensive cleaning tasks. Refilling and emptying the water, solution, and dirty water tanks was hassle-free.

Despite its size, it operated quietly and was easy to clean after use. Even six months after initial testing, it remained our go-to for heavy-duty cleaning jobs.

Weight: 11 pounds | Surface Compatibility: Upholstery, carpets, stairs, and car interiors | Tank Capacity: 96 ounces | Attachments: 7-inch WidePath tool, TightSpot tool for crevices, and antimicrobial pet tool

Top Pick for Cars

While marketed for pet stains, this upholstery cleaner excels at cleaning car interiors as well. Its compact, cordless, and lightweight design—just under 4 pounds—makes it ideal for small spaces like stairs and apartments. 

It’s a game-changer for pet accidents and minor spills, allowing us to address messes before they set in. It includes a pre-mixed pet stain solution that eliminates odors and leaves a pleasant scent.

However, its small size limits its effectiveness for larger tasks. With an 8-ounce water tank and limited battery life, it struggles with deep-set stains. Still, its convenience is unmatched—quick to deploy, clean, and store.

It handled most coffee and wine stains in 10 passes or fewer and performed well on fresh spills. Its quiet operation, producing only a soft whir, adds to its appeal. For car owners, pet owners, or anyone needing quick spill cleanup, this is a worthwhile investment.

Weight: 3.6 pounds | Surface Compatibility: Upholstery, carpets, rugs, and car interiors | Tank Capacity: 8 ounces | Attachments: Built-in brush head

Top Pick for Leather

Leather also accumulates dirt, but experts advise against using upholstery machines on it—this leather cleaning kit is the solution. It effortlessly removed stains, and the leather cleanser sponge created a gentle foam that lifted even deeply embedded dirt. 

It tackled tough stains like sunscreen, syrup, and foundation makeup without leaving residue or water marks. The leather conditioner restored softness and suppleness, making surfaces feel brand new.

Compatible with all leather types, suede, nubuck, and dyed leather, this kit is versatile for home and wardrobe use. While the instructions were unclear initially, a bit of research clarified the process, making cleaning straightforward. 

Surface Compatibility: Leather, faux leather, furniture, car seats, shoes, purses, clothing

Top Spray Pick

Among all the sprays we tested, the Bissell Advanced Oxy Stain Pretreat delivered the best results. It quickly and thoroughly removed pet stains, wine, dark soda, and marinara spills. 

We felt like cleaning pros using it around our homes, effortlessly tackling stains and old spots on upholstery, carpets, stairs, car seats, and vehicle carpets. When used as a pretreatment before machine cleaning, it enhanced the effectiveness of every upholstery cleaner.

It has almost no scent or lingering odor. However, like other products, it wasn’t flawless. It struggled with set-in mustard stains and left faint marks even after multiple applications. Older, stubborn stains also posed a challenge. Still, its performance on most stains, affordability, lack of odor, and ease of use made it a favorite.

Weight: 1.5 pounds  | Surface Compatibility: Upholstery, carpeting, area rugs | Tank Capacity: N/A | Attachments: N/A

Final Verdict

The BISSELL 3624 Spot Clean Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner emerged as the top upholstery cleaner in our tests. Its easy setup, seamless switching between spraying and suction, and lightweight, portable design impressed us. Even six months later, it remains our go-to for cleaning up after pets and kids. The Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner FD13000 also stood out for its affordability, portability, and effectiveness on fresh spills.

Our Testing Process

We evaluated upholstery cleaners and solutions based on real-world stain removal, ease of use, and drying time. For machines, we applied common stains like mustard, wine, soda, and marinara sauce to rugs and cushions. 

After letting the stains set for 20 minutes, we used the machines to assess their effectiveness. We counted cleaning passes, measured noise levels with decibel readers, and noted setup time and attachment efficiency.

For cleaning solutions, we tested their effectiveness with scrubbing, timed their application, and conditioned leather surfaces. We also monitored drying times and residual moisture in all tests.

How to Shop for Upholstery Cleaners Like a Pro 

Upholstery Material

Different materials require specific cleaning approaches. Identifying the code for your furniture ensures proper care and optimal cleaning results. Check the furniture label for the code or visit the manufacturer’s website for details.

These are the most common labels found on upholstery fabrics:

• W (Water-Based Cleaner): Safe for use with water-based solutions and upholstery machines.
• S (Solvent-Based Cleaner): Requires dry cleaning or solvent-based cleaners only; water may shrink or damage the fabric.
• WS (Water or Solvent-Based Cleaner): Use either method for best results.
• X (Vacuum Only): Never use liquids or solvents, as they can stain or damage the fabric. Instead, only vacuum the fabric, and for other cleaning services, call a pro.

Portability

Portability is a key factor when selecting an upholstery cleaner. Since you’ll likely use it on furniture, car seats, and various surfaces, consider where you’ll need to take it and how portable it should be.

• Handheld upholstery cleaners, like the BISSELL® Pet Stain Eraser™ Plus, are lightweight, easy to maneuver, and often come with carrying handles and attachment caddies. They’re ideal for quick cleanups but may lack the power for deep cleaning.
• Larger upholstery cleaners, like the Hoover CleanSlate XL Deep Clean Spot Cleaner, offer more power and suction but can be challenging to move or use in tight spaces like cars or stairs. They also typically require a power outlet, which can be inconvenient.
• Cordless upholstery cleaners, like the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner 3682, provide flexibility in placement but have limited battery life. They’re generally less powerful than corded models due to battery constraints, offering less suction and cleaning strength.

Attachments

While the upholstery cleaner itself is important, the attachments it includes are equally crucial. Attachments enhance the machine’s versatility, providing additional reach and functionality. Depending on the model, attachments may come included or be available as optional add-ons from the manufacturer.

• Long hoses: Whether fixed or detachable, longer hoses offer extended reach for cleaning drapes or the backs of furniture.
• Crevice tools: These narrow attachments are perfect for cleaning between cushions and in tight corners.
• Pet attachments: Brushes and rubber nubs help remove embedded pet hair and solid waste, while suction wands extract liquids from upholstery.
• Tough stain brushes: Equipped with thicker bristles, these brushes are designed for scrubbing stubborn stains.

More Upholstery Cleaners to Consider

Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner: This compact cleaner impressed us with its strong suction, large water tank, and specialized tools, making it ideal for small messes and everyday spills. However, its wide spray requires caution in tight spaces or on small stains.

Rug Doctor PET PORTABLE SPOT CLEANER: This machine excelled at removing pet hair, dirt, stains, and fresh pet accidents with strong suction, leaving floors and upholstery dry. However, it’s designed for spot cleaning and isn’t suitable for larger areas.

Questions You Might Ask 

Are upholstery cleaners worth it?

If spills, stains, pet accidents, or kid messes are common in your home, an upholstery cleaner can help maintain your upholstered furniture between professional cleanings. Regular cleaning extends the life of your furniture and keeps it looking fresh. However, for deep cleaning or tough stains, hiring a professional upholstery cleaning service is often necessary.

Are there any fabrics or surfaces you shouldn’t use an upholstery cleaner on?

Avoid using upholstery cleaners on delicate fabrics, leather, silk, velvet, antique or heirloom furniture, and surfaces prone to stains or water damage. Always check the care label on your furniture for guidance. If unsure, consult the manufacturer or a professional for specific advice, as Krushensky suggests.

For expensive or warrantied furniture, Krushensky recommends hiring a professional cleaning company with Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) credentials. 

Take Our Word for It

This article was authored by Lauren Bongard, a contributing appliances writer for Mytour. To identify the top upholstery cleaners, we tested multiple models in real-world home environments, assessing factors such as capacity, ease of use, attachments, and more. For expert advice, Lauren consulted Tim Krushensky, owner of Soapy Suds Cleaning Service, LLC, an IICRC-certified cleaning company based in Gallatin County, Montana.