9 Best Upholstery Cleaners of 2022

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 GH Seal star made quick work or removing stains without damaging fabrics or carpet and it picks up spills faster and more thoroughly than you can with a cloth. The Bissell Little Green also carries our Green Good Housekeeping Seal.  

Best for fabrics coded: W and WS 

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 to penetrate and break up stains on contact. Simply apply, let set 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 stain removers work quickly and thoroughly without the need for extra rinsing or blotting. Woolite Instaclean works on carpet and rug stains, too.

Best for fabrics coded: W and WS    

Leather upholstery is more forgiving and easier to care for than fabric, but it does need attention from time to time. GH Seal star Furniture Clinic’s Leather Care Kit is a one-two punch that removes grime and conditions and protects against future stains. In our tests, the cleaner removed grime embedded in the grain and erased blue dye from jeans that had transferred to a leather car seat. The protector left our leather seats and swatches supple and shiny and helped make ink marks we applied afterward easier to remove. The kit includes an applicator sponge and buffing cloth.   

We tested this Hoover during our review of the best portable carpet cleaners, but it’s just as effective on upholstery. The removable battery on the compact Hoover ONEPWR Spotless Go recharges in less than three and a half hours, and is interchangeable with batteries in other ONEPWR devices. Cordless power plus a two-foot hose makes it ideal to clean and treat upholstery and carpet stains in the narrow confines of your car and even on stairs. The small tanks make it lighter than other models to carry and use and perfect for quick cleanups. In our tests, tea and red wine stains were no match for it! 

Best for fabrics coded: W and WS

Upholstery and wine stains seem to go hand in hand. Wine Away was the best red wine stain remover in GH Cleaning Lab tests. It completely removed fresh stains and lightened set-in ones so well they could be easily washed or rinsed away. Wine Away was easy to remove from fabrics without excessive blotting or rinsing that can abrade or damage fabrics. And don’t just keep it for upholstery stains: Wine Away works on clothing and carpeting stains, too.   

Best for fabrics coded: W and WS

For a quick spruce-up of leather upholstery, nothing beats Weiman’s wipes. Convenient to use and always handy, GH Seal star Weiman Leather Wipes clean away grime and condition leather upholstery, ottomans, car interiors and more with just a pass. Oils in the wipe soften the leather and impart shine. UV protectants help keep the sun’s rays from drying out leather car seats or chairs  located near a window or glass door. In GH tests, Weiman’s wipes were effective and easy to use and are a great way to maintain and protect leather on a regular basis and without a lot of work. 

Pet stains 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 same spot again. This GH Seal star 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 set 12 to 72 hours. This keeps the enzymes working to completely eradicate the smell and to throw your pet off the trail. In GH tests, Bissell did a great job removing food stains, too, and works just as well on carpeting. 

Best for fabrics coded: W and WS