If you're here, I am going to take a wild guess that you've accidentally spilled something you really shouldn't have in a place that you always try to keep clean. Perhaps it's your sofa and a glass of your favourite vino, or even worse: your mattress and your morning latte. Whatever it is, as the queen klutz of dropping and spilling things, I can totally relate. There's nothing like that moment, which for some reason is always in slow motion, and the feeling of your heart dropping. The thought that immediately enters your head every time: "will this come out without me spending a fortune?" The answer is almost always yes, so long as you are armed with a decent upholstery cleaner, that is.
Luckily enough for you (and conveniently enough for me) I've tested a bunch of upholstery cleaners everywhere from my sofa to my rugs and my mattress. And only the ones that truly made a difference have made it to this list. Even if you're not in a panic to wipe away a stain, these solutions are super handy to keep underneath your kitchen sink with the rest of your cleaning products.
- Note that some of these clever products might need to be vacuumed up afterward.
The best upholstery cleaners — as tried and tested by our experts
Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The best upholstery cleaner you can buy
+ Works fast
+ No scrubbing required
+ Inexpensive
+ Cruelty-free and vegan
- Not suitable for certain fabrics
Although it's really meant to be used on clothes, this stuff works wonders on upholstery, from sofas to curtains, carpets, and rugs. I buy this cleaner religiously, and use it to clean pretty much every fabric, and every stain — large or small. From towels to rugs and curtains. Simply soak up any moisture and spray it sparingly. Leave it for a couple of minutes and wipe with a damp cloth or if possible pop it in your washing machine. You can scrub it in but this shouldn't be necessary. It's great to have under the kitchen sink when you've got guests over, and it works super fast. It's really effective on wine stains and it works to clean blood, too. Just don't use it on flameproof or waterproof fabrics, velvet, leather, or suede.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The best upholstery cleaning machine
+ Portable
+ Effective on all surfaces
+ Satisfying process
- Expensive
- Requires cleaning
- Shampoo can cause serious eye irritation
If you're looking for an investment piece, rather than a cleaning product, then this carpet cleaner from Bissell is your one-stop purchase for all types of stains and is an investment in keeping your home looking great. It uses hot water to lift those nasty stains and comes with two bottles of carpet shampoo. You can pre-treat and spot clean with this cleaner and it will truly transform the look of cushions, sofas, rugs, and more. My colleagues are obsessed, and the best part is that it's so satisfying to use.
You can read our full Bissell SpotClean Pro review.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
The best probiotic upholstery cleaner
+ Pet-safe
+ Vegan & cruelty-free
+ Concentrated
+ Hand use or with cleaner
- Strong smell
- Expensive
It's all good and well cleaning upholstered furniture when you've made a small mess, but do you ever worry whether you've truly gotten rid of the bacteria from the source of the spill? If you're concerned that bugs are feeding off food debris, you need this probiotic cleaner in your life. Fill the glass bottle with 450ml water for spot-cleaning or 2 litres for upholstery cleaning.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 stars
The best plant-based upholstery cleaner
+ Plant-based
+ Biodegradable
+ Built-in brush
+ Vegan-friendly
+ Recyclable bottle
- Not the best for larger stains
The pink-capped package might look cute, but boy does it pack a punch when it comes to lifting protein-based stains from clothes and any upholstered furniture that has a removable cover. My colleague Molly raves about it, and it's super easy to use thanks to its built-in brush. From removing curry stains to melted chocolate, it's powerful. Just make sure that before using, you moisten the stain and work it in with the brush. Then handwash after. I wouldn't recommend this for cleaning larger stains, as it requires some elbow grease.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 stars
The best upholstery cleaner for busy homes
+ Built-in brush
+ Easy to use
+ Ideal for those who have kids or pets
+ Works well on tough stains
- Not the best for larger stains
I found that the Dr. Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover does a pretty good job at removing anything from red wine spills on the couch, to tea stains on your favourite rug. It was also a great stain removal solution for car seats. It's handy because it has a built-in brush like the Ecover stain remover, though again: it's not the best for larger spillages. It's really handy to have in your cupboard if you have children or pets, but it might not be the main stain remover that you use.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 stars
The best natural upholstery cleaner
+ Works fast
+ Very versatile
+ Can be used around pets
- Scent isn't nice
- No eco-credentials
White vinegar works wonders when it comes to cleaning everything from pet stains to spillages. I tend to use white vinegar for pet stains and messes, and it works on tough stains too. I also use it with my white washing and it brings everything out sparkling. I'm not a big fan of the smell, though, so I always have to use some air freshener afterward. It's one of my cupboard staples for sure.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Real Homes review process — how we test upholstery cleaners
Upholstery cleaner in review, before at the top and after at the bottom
We strive to test everything we recommend at Real Homes, so with the help of our team members we've managed to test all of the upholstery cleaners featured in this guide. Yes, we test these solutions and machines in our own homes, to clean real-life day-to-day messes that we're faced with.
Meet our testers below:
Annie has, since she moved out years ago, used the Astonish Stain Remover to clean up spills. It has worked on everything, from red wine on her sofa to dog sick on her rug (nice!). It's also easy to use and she loves its eco credentials. Otherwise, she swears by Stardrops' White Vinegar spray for targeting stains, naturally. Though it smells, it works a treat and is safe to use around her dog, too.
Christina loves the Nookary range and is really impressed with the added probiotic ingredients. Though she lives in the countryside, commuting on the London underground can be quite germy, so every little helps when staying healthy and looking after her immune system. Ecover stain remover is another under-the-sink essential for her. She uses it to target stubborn foundation stains on her blouses, and clean her cushions when she's used them as a lap tray for lazy weekend brunches.
Jen was previously our appliances editor, which is why she tested the Bissell SpotClean Pro Upholstery Cleaner and gave it 4.5 stars out of five. She reckons it's most satisfying appliance you'll ever use. Using fresh water, you can use it on your upholstery and carpets to dredge up new and historic dirt and dust, and then feel the satisfaction of emptying the brown sludgy water into the sink afterwards.
What is the best upholstery cleaner?
The Astonish Fabric Stain Remover is our top pick: it's marketed as a stain remover and is great at zapping even bad stains, but it's also a great all-around upholstery refresher, so essentially is a two-in-one product.
3 things to consider when choosing an upholstery cleaner
Where to buy upholstery cleaner?
Amazon upholstery cleaners (opens in new tab)
Argos upholstery cleaners (opens in new tab)
Lakeland upholstery cleaners (opens in new tab)
The Range upholstery cleaners (opens in new tab)
Robert Dyas upholstery cleaners (opens in new tab)
Wiko upholstery cleaners (opens in new tab)
1. Does it have a built-in scrubber or brush?
Do your little ones often leave trails, staining sofas, and carpets on their way? Well, when a crisis strikes, act accordingly. An upholstery cleaner that comes with a scrubber is always a sight for sore eyes when your youngsters have destroyed that newly bought furnishing. Tough stains like fruit juices or mud — and anything else that makes you shudder — are handled without stress.
2. Don't forget to read the instructions
When you're cleaning upholstery with a commercial cleaner, you’ll need to make sure you read the label (or the paperwork) that came with your furniture so you can ensure that you’re not going to damage the material — some furniture will require a water-based cleaner, while others require water-free products and others may advise against using an upholstery cleaner altogether. Always do a patch test on a hidden part of your furniture first if you are not sure. You'll also want to ensure you read the instructions on the back of the bottle, too, to check it can be used on your upholstery type.
3. Consider size and price
When looking to buy an upholstery cleaner, in-store or online, you can often find bigger bottles at a more cost-effective price. These big bottles can be found at Amazon in particular, making them incredibly accessible for those who prefer not to head to the supermarket shelves, or need an upholstery cleaner pronto! Just be sure to consider where you will store a larger bottle. Concentrate cleaners are also easier on the wallet, too, as they require diluting to use.
What is the best way to clean a couch?
It depends on how dirty your couch currently is. If it needs a full deep clean, then you'll want to invest in a machine like the Bissell SpotClean Pro Upholstery Cleaner. If it's just a bit grubby, you should be able to remove your cushion covers and throw them in the wash. And with the fabric on the frame, you can try the pan lid trick.
Not sure what we're talking about? Grab a laundry tablet and pop it into your sink. Fill your sink with hot water. Soak a tea towel in this water and squeeze it out. Unfold the tea towel onto your work surface and pop a pan in the middle of it, with the handle facing the ceiling. Wrap the tea towel around the handle to hold it in place and then use this to scrub your sofa clean. We discovered this hack on TikTok and it truly is a game changer.
How can I easily keep my upholstery clean?
It sounds simple, but frequent vacuuming will change how your upholstery looks. Use specialist attachments such as a crevice tool to get into cracks and corners, and don't forget to move your sofa out of the way and vacuum the back of it as dust will build here. When it comes to curtains, check their washing instructions and make a note to clean these in your washing machine (or by hand) once every six months. You wouldn't believe how much dirt sits on your curtains. As for rugs, the same goes for vacuuming but you can also use the pan lid trick, and don't forget to vacuum underneath your rugs, too.
Read our guide on how to clean upholstery for more tips and tricks.
Can you use Zoflora on upholstery?
You can use diluted Zoflora in a spray bottle to refresh your upholstery but it won't actually remove any stains. It will remove bacteria, though, which is why some people like to put a capful in their washing load.
