Best upholstery cleaners to give furniture and carpets a thorough clean

A recent survey of 2,000 people conducted by floorcare experts VAX revealed that 33 per cent of people admitting to hiding a carpet stain in their home with a piece of furniture, rug or something else. Let’s face it, we’ve all done it.

What would make life easier are the gadgets and cleaning solutions that tackle spillages and dirt with ease, so we didn’t have to hide our red wine stains of shame. Never fear, here at ES Best we have been busy cleaning our carpets, sofas and even our dog beds with fervour to ensure you have the very best products on the market to sort your upholstery woes.

What’s the best way to clean upholstery?

Who better to advise then Lynsey Crombie, the UK’s leading homecare expert and TV’s Queen of Clean? “Vacuum first and then spot treat any stains, you can use a specialised upholstery cleaner for this or even use a mixture of washing up liquid, white vinegar, and water,’ Lynsey told us.

“When spot cleaning rub into the stain only and blot dry using a white cloth, this way you can see if the stain is being removed. Once stains have been removed you can either use a carpet cleaning machine with the relevant attachment or a steam cleaner. Once cleaned leave the room well aired to allow to dry naturally.”

What about steam cleaners? What are they used for, and can I use them on my sofa too?

“Steam cleaners are a great cleaning tool, they eliminate the need to clean with harsh chemicals,” Lynsey reveals. “They are incredibly versatile and will blast dirt from ovens and greasy kitchen cupboards, refresh sofas, clean toilets, clean behind awkward places like radiators and kill surface germs.”

But do steam cleaners really adequately kill germs?

“Oh yes, absolutely,” Janine McDonald, Sustainable Organiser and owner of cleartheclutternow.co.uk informed us. “Due to the high temperatures of the steam, steam cleaners can breakdown 99 per cent of the internal structures of bacteria in the home.”

Can people use natural solutions and if so, what do you recommend?

“There are so many amazing natural cleaning solutions that you probably already have in your cupboard, white vinegar, lemons, citric acid and even tea bags,” Lynsey informed us.

Bicarbonate of soda (see our review below) is a great household cleaner and can be used on upholstery. “Simply sprinkle a generous amount into carpets, rugs and upholstery, rub and let it sit for one hour. Vacuum up the bicarbonate of soda and surfaces will be left clean and deodorised,” advises Natalie Ormond, owner of sustainable lifestyle store, smallkind.co.uk.

UK upholstery labelling - check labels carefully first

Before using any cleaning product it’s important to check the label on your furniture – just like you would before putting on a laundry wash. Different fabrics require different cleaning formulas to avoid causing damage and discolouration.

How do I find the cleaning code on my furniture?

They’re normally tucked away, for example, down the side of the cushions or around the back of the sofa.

Have a look for letter coding with the letters: “W”, “S”, “S-W” or “X”.

If the cleaning tags have been removed or cut off, try checking the manufacturer’s website to get the full cleaning specifications.

Decoding cleaning codes - what do they mean?

• ‘W’ means you can only clean it with a water-based solution. This includes things like soap, washing-up liquid, carpet cleaner or specialist upholstery shampoo.

• ‘S’ means you can only use water-free solvents on these types of textiles. This includes only water-free solvents that are specifically designed for cleaning purposes. For instance, rubbing alcohol, clear alcohols, and dry-cleaning solvents are ideal for this type of fabric.

• ‘S-W’ means you can use a combination of dry solvents and wet cleaning products on this type of fabric (you might also come across “W-S”, which means the same thing).

• ‘X’ marks the spot and means vacuum only – these delicate fabrics can only be cleaned with a vacuum or brush. So, be careful if you have a stain on a piece of furniture marked X, play it safe and take it to the dry cleaners.

Here’s what works and what’s worth spending your hard-earned cash on.

ECOZONE Carpet Shampoo Solution

The tagline for this product is ‘powerful, plant-based cleaning’ and we couldn’t agree more. We were incredibly impressed with this cruelty-free, vegan and anti-bacterial carpet shampoo from British company, Ecozone.

The gentle but effective plant-based formula removed carpet stains without excessive scrubbing and left upholstery cleaner and smelling fresh-all without the use of chemicals.

Many people prefer to use this Ecozone shampoo in their carpet cleaning machines rather than the more chemical-based wash that generally comes with many gadgets which is testimony to how effective it is. To use with a carpet cleaning machine, dilute the solution 8:1 and follow your machine’s instructions.

Buy now £3.14, Amazon

VAX Spotwash Home Duo Spot Cleaner

The VAX SpotWash Duo is a convenient and effective spot cleaner which makes it easy to tackle everyday spills and stains, as well as being perfect for refreshing smaller areas. Spot cleaners are brilliant for cleaning carpets, sofas, hard floors and even pet bedding super quickly.

We loved the way you could whip out the VAX Spot Clean quickly and tackle any spills straight away and the fact that it is lightweight and compact all while removing tough stains from all your surfaces Also brilliant for those with babies or toddlers as it makes getting rid of baby food stains a breeze.

Buy now £129.00, Amazon

Bissell Spot Clean Pro

‘Spots and stains come off in seconds’ with the Bissell Spot Clean Pro, so say Bissell. We spot cleaned our way around a cream carpet that houses a large golden retriever, and we can confirm that this powerful but compact machine lives up to the hype.

Its lightweight, portable design allows you to remove stains from stairs and upholstery as well as carpets and rugs and it comes with an extra-long power cord plus a selection of brushes to remove ‘just happened’ stains as well as older, ingrained marks wherever they may occur.

It tackled older stains impressively and got to work on ingrained stains effectively, leaving them surprisingly clear.

The only downside of this powerful machine is that it is pretty noisy, so not one for using late at night or while the baby’s napping.

Buy now £169.00, John Lewis

Bissell Powerfresh Slimsteam

Bissell’s handy gadget was one of our favourites; we were impressed with the way it tackled a hard wood floor and cleaned our shower (not technically upholstery but this seems to do it all which is undoubtedly a bonus) as well as a velvet sofa which has seen better days.

The slim, lightweight design and swivel steering allows you to focus the power of steam cleaning exactly where you need it. Glide across floors, reach up over cupboards and cabinets and get into all those awkward spots where dirt and dust bunnies love to hide.

The PowerFresh Slim Steam converted easily from an upright steam mop to an extended-reach surface cleaner, to a portable handheld steam cleaner. By the end of the day we had run out of places in the house to steam clean; that’s how versatile this machine is.

We were also very impressed that this cleaned everything in sight without a single chemical, using only the power of hot water to get everything sparkling clean. Brilliant.

Buy now £119.00, Amazon

Kärcher SC3 Easyfix Premium

Several professional cleaners recommended this product as they use it in their clients’ homes to great results.

The Kärcher SC3 EasyFix Premium steam cleaner makes deep cleaning effortless, harnessing the power of super-heated steam to kill 99.99 per cent of all common household bacteria using just tap water and producing results with zero chemicals.

This machine was ready to go in just 30 seconds thanks to a ‘fast-heating continuous cleaning system’. It made light work of shifting everyday dirt from sofa upholstery, bedding as well as stubborn grease from ovens and hobs.

It comes with an additional floor cloth, large round brush, power nozzle and a carpet glider for breathing new life into your carpets and rugs. Its built-in descaling filter prevents the build-up of limescale and the new ‘EasyFix floor tool system’ means you can easily change the cloth without coming into contact with dirt thanks to something called ‘lamella technology’.

Buy now £160.00, Argos

Henry Wash

Who doesn’t adore a Henry Hoover? Proudly designed and made right here in the UK, Henry the cheeriest of vacuums has returned, only this time, he’s made for fabrics as well as floors.

Henry Wash revives and refreshes carpets and upholstery for a clean, hygienic, and fresh-smelling home all while looking iconic in your hallway. Just a glimpse of Henry never ceases to make us smile.

There’s no job too big or too small for this blue version of Henry; be to reviving carpets, refreshing the sofa, cleaning out the car, sucking up spills. Surprisingly, you can even unblock the sink with this model too if the need arises. Our hero.

Buy now £229.00, Currys

Kärcher SE4001 Carpet Clean

This spray extraction machine is ideal for allergy sufferers and households with pets. Thanks to innovative nozzle technology, it cleaned surfaces dry in half the time which is crucial, especially if you’ve cleaned just before your nightly Love Island fix.

The large, removable fourlitre clean water tank is straightforward to fill and empty. The removed dirty water is collected in the machine container (and the dirt inside is strangely satisfying to see after you’ve cleaned your upholstery, it must be said) and the 3-in-1 handle enables easy carrying, opening, closing and emptying.

Buy now £224.99, Kärcher

Lynsey x Swan Handheld Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

The highly-rated ‘Queen of Clean’ Lynsey Crombie has legions of fans thanks to her no-nonsense advice on keeping your home clean without sacrificing valuable time, She recommends carpet cleaning at least once every four months.

Swan have collaborated with Lynsey to produce this powerful, efficient, and easy-to-use handheld carpet cleaner. Powered by a 500W motor, Swan claims this delivers ‘effortless cleaning for those unexpected accidents on carpets, rugs, upholstery’.

We were impressed by the two-tank system, designed to keep clean and dirty water separate and did the job well enough. The stationary cleaner brush is tough on stains, and it was lightweight and easy to navigate a steep staircase with.

It only comes in pink so if you like your carpet cleaning machine to look pretty as well as practical, you’ll love it.

Buy now £49.99, Robert Dyas

Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Handheld Garment Steamer

The Russell Hobbs Steam Genie is highly portable; compact, lightweight and super easy to use. It comes with three additional attachments that are excellent at steam cleaning clothing, fabric sofas and curtains.

We liked the fact that it only takes 45 seconds for the water tank to heat up and gives you continuous steam cleaning for about 11 minutes (when the tank is filled to max, and the trigger lock is switched on).

The Steam Genie Garment and Fabric Steamer kills up to 99.9 per cent of bacteria in 60 seconds, especially handy if you need to sterlise baby toys quickly or want to give shirts and dresses a quick steam without hauling out the ironing board.

If you’re looking for something super powerful to use around the home there are other machines (Kärcher, Bissell) more suited to this but for travelling this summer and for fitting in your suitcase with ease, this one is perfect.

Buy now £45.00, Argos

Dr Beckman Carpet Cleaner and Brush

A Mrs Hinch favourite and and multi upholstery cleaner award winner, this solution is particularly useful for ridding cream-coloured carpets of red wine spills, making it a must for your cleaning cupboard.

A bargain at under three quid in most supermarkets, it comes with a brush attached which is very handy to use the minute spills or stains occur. Mrs Hinch also swears by Dr Beckmann to blitz car seats and make them look as good as new.

With hundreds of five-star reviews on Amazon and an endorsement from Mrs Hinch herself, what’s not to love?

Buy now £2.79, Tesco

Wilko Original Bicarbonate of Soda

We couldn’t write a review on the best upholstery cleaners and omit good ol’ bicarb of soda.

This versatile cleaner can be used all around the home to clean surfaces, freshen surroundings, eliminate odours as well as clean delicate materials. Recruit it to clean cooker tops, sinks, and tiles and help deodorise your carpets and upholstery.

Bicarbonate of soda neutralises fabric odours but absorbing bad smeels, which is why it is particularly effective on upholstery. It won’t just mask them with chemicals, in the way air fresheners or fabric sprays often do.

It’s safe to use all around the house and recommend by all the cleaning experts you can shake a feather duster at.

Buy now £1.75, Wilko

ECOVER Stain Remover 200ml

One of the best eco stain removers on the market, the Ecover Stain Remover has a built-in applicator to make removing stains an easy process, and it can be used on everything from upholstery to rugs and clothing. Another clear favourite across Amazon with five-star reviews exclaiming they ‘wouldn’t be without it’ and that ‘it’s the only eco stain remover that actually works’.

Using it is a doddle. Dampen the treatment area and squeeze some of the solution through the brush head, work it into the stain and then wash away or dab with a damp cloth. We love the fact that it’s plant-based, vegan and cruelty-free as well as made using biodegradable ingredients. However, it’s not recommended for use on wool, silk or other delicate fabrics so something to note when cleaning pillows or certain sofa covers.

A brilliant addition to any household cleaning cupboard.

Buy now £3.49, Robert Dyas

Simple Solution Extreme Pet Stain and Odour Remover

One for all the pet owners out there, this spray tackles stains within minutes and is safe to use around your furry BFF.

Simply spray it on anything that is starting to smell a bit whiffy, like dog bedding, the cat’s favourite sofa spot, your auntie’s blanket the rabbit has claimed as its own, and stains and smells will soon vanish. Customers say that it’s particularly effective on puppy pee and the best thing for getting rid of pet stains.

Potent and impressive.

Buy now £6.50, Wilko

Wheelers Natural Beeswax Leather Balm

This Wheelers product is genuinely lovely stuff, which isn’t something we thought we’d ever be saying about leather balm, but there you go.

Wheelers Leather Balm is a treat for your brogues as well as your leather sofa and contains natural beeswax, silk protein, natural minerals and vitamin E. It’s also enriched with coconut and vanilla pods to help protect and revive your leather and a fab job it does of it, too.

We found balm gave our tired leather chair some TLC with a lovely scent to boot. Another tester usedit on a designer handbag to bring it up as good as new.

Hailed as ‘intensive care for your leather’, it’s worth it for the smell alone and the fact that it contains 98 per cent natural ingredients.

Buy now £5.95, John Lewis

Verdict

For the fact that it uses powerful plant-based cleaning, is vegan and cruelty free and packs a formidable punch when used in any carpet cleaning machine, it had be the Ecozone Carpet Shampoo Solution. We swapped the chemical carpet wash our machine came with and filled it with this and happily cleaned all the rugs, upholstery covered sofas and carpets in our house to excellent results.