10 Best Upholstery Cleaning Machine in 2021 – Buyer’s Guide

In this article, you will learn the most important things when it comes to choosing an upholstery cleaner. This way you avoid spending money unnecessarily on a vacuum cleaner that you surely don’t need for what you require, like a carpet-cleaning machine.

Best Upholstery Cleaning Machines of 2021

We provide the complete review of the best upholstery cleaning machine in 2021 so that their characteristics are able to surprise the most experienced users who pay attention to details. We have compared entry-level models to real professional devices. Although the quality of the model largely depends on price, however, we have tried to include the best model at a reasonable price.

We recommend that you always read the instructions for use, to make sure that the machine looks good and is compatible with the fabric of your sofa.

Comparison table of the top 10 best upholstery cleaning machines in 2021.

1. BISSELL 1548F – ProHeat Upright Upholstery Cleaner

If you’re looking for a lightweight, self-contained upholstery cleaning machine that simplifies the process and produces reliable, high-quality results, the BISSELL-1548F is the best model for you. From the comfortable handle to the large wheels that facilitate movement, passing by the low front which slides under the sofa to retain dirt and grime.

Strong Points:

• 7 feet hose length
• HeatWave Technology
• New max clean mode
• 11-inch cleaning path

This unit out cleans the leading rental machine and is half the weight, which gives you the convenience to clean whenever you want. The ProHeat 2X Revolution carpet cleaner is also designed to clean pet messes and other common spills and stains. It also offers multiple cleaning modes to fit your needs.

The attached hose and tools make this device easy to clean stairs, as well as hard-to-reach areas. Its design hugs close to the carpet with two rolls of brushes. You can literally see a lot of the dirt come out of your rug. All attachments are included in the picture even the 2x liquid cleaning bottles.

BISSELL 1548F lightweight upholstery cleaning machine was designed with a low-profile foot to fit under and around furniture. It has HeatWave Technology, so you start with warm water in the clean tank and it maintains the water temperature while you’re cleaning. It also comes with a pet attachment which is great.

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2. Bissell 2117A – SpotBot Stain Portable Deep Cleaner

This is another great upholstery cleaning machine from Bissell and a wonderful appliance for pet owners and families with children. Bissell 2117A offers you to clean Carpet, Low Pile Carpet, Stairs, Upholstery, rugs, and more.

Strong Points:

• Superior suction
• 3″ tough stain tool
• Six feet hose length
• Two hands-free cleaning modes

There are two different cleaning cycles, Quick and Deep. Quick works for stains you may have just caught, whereas Deep is used for set stains. The device also comes with sample sizes of detergent and oxy-boost.

These machines can remove smaller deep-down spots and stains quickly and on the go, meaning you don’t have to break out your full-size carpet cleaner every time. The hose is just long enough to wrap around the unit 1 1/2 times. The idea is to use it mainly in areas that are too tight for the SpotBot.

The hand attachment for the spot bot is great for clean up smaller messes that doesn’t require a lot of work to remove. It’s also good to remove any excess water that the spot bot isn’t able to remove from the spot cleaning. The brush head assembly is about 5 ½ – 6″ in diameter, and the housing is about 8″.

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3. Rug Doctor Portable Upholstery Cleaning Machine

Rug Doctor portable upholstery cleaning machine is designed for quick and easy clean up anywhere in your home. Its carpet-friendly wheels and retractable handle allow users to quickly access the machine, glide over surfaces without getting stuck and adjust to the height of each user. Its small size makes for easy storage in cabinets, closets, and more.

Strong Points:

• Retractable handle
• 1200 movements per minute
• Designed for everyday cleaning
• Perfect for indoors and outdoors

This cleaning machine offers twice the suction power than comparable leading spot cleaners for homes and shorter drying times. Its handheld motorized brush moves 1200 times per minute, scrubbing fibers deep within the carpet to break up stains. You can easily fit on a single stair step, inside your car, and everywhere else you want to clean!

In combination with the motorized nylon brush, it pulls quite a bit of filthy water out. The tank has an open spout at the top, so you cannot tip it even a little bit or you will have a mess. This machine is heavier than the Bissell spot cleaners but not too heavy, despite being sturdy and seemingly well-built.

It’s got wheels and a retractable luggage-style handle if you want to wheel it around, but it’s also light enough to pick up and carry (separate handle). The head can be turned on or off while the suction is working. The hose is very durable and flexible and it cleans upholstery nicely using the proper cleaning solution.

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4. Hoover Smartwash – Automatic Upholstery Cleaner

Our next choice is Hoover which well-known Hoover automatic carpet cleaner. It built with automatic cleaning technology that makes carpet and upholstery cleaning as easy as vacuum cleaning. You just simply push forward to clean and pull back to dry. No solution measuring, no hassle. Just seriously simple & seriously powerful.

Strong Points:

• Eight feet hose length
• Flexforce power brushes
• Automatic cleaning technology
• Included accessory storage bag

This machine is very easy to take apart to clean and dry the components. The metal pieces pop out so you can completely dry them. The top of the extraction port can be easily removed to clean hair. Its HeatForce hot air technology speeds things up, but don’t expect miracles. It is fairly easy to clean both the nozzle and brushes. Also the instructions are clear and easy to follow.

The large tanks allow you to clean an entire room without changing the water. It has a nice low profile that allows you to slip under chairs and stools. Its 2-in-1 antimicrobial tool helps prevent bacteria growth and odors. Overall the performance is phenomenal. It is extremely easy to use and very user-friendly.

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5. McCulloch MC1275 – Heavy-Duty Upholstery Cleaner

Nearly one decade, McCulloch has been building reliable, strong, and powerful steam cleaning machines that bring a heavy-duty approach to the often ‘soft’ world of steam cleaning. Using ordinary water heated to over 200 degrees Fahrenheit, the Steam effectively and naturally cleans and sanitizes a wide variety of surfaces.

Strong Points:

• Chemical-free cleaning
• 9-foot steam hose length
• Included 18 extra accessories
• 45 Minutes of Continuous Steam

With professional steam power and a versatile array of attachments, it is designed for tackling the toughest jobs throughout your garage or workshop. The canister is lighter and more mobile and that translates into less activation energy to pull it out for periodic heavy cleaning of bathrooms.

It doesn’t take up too much space, just takes up as much space as two basketballs.

The 48-ounce water tank heats up in less than 8 minutes and provides up to 45 minutes of steam with an optional lockable steam trigger for continuous steam cleaning. It has an extra-long 15.7-foot power cord and over 9-foot steam hose provides added maneuverability and reach for those hard to get to places.

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6. BISSELL-2458 SpotClean Upholstery Cleaning Machine

BISSELL- 2458 is a small handheld version of a carpet cleaner and has a nice carrying handle. It’s small enough to not be annoying to store and big enough to clean a room and more. The large capacity tank allows you to clean more areas without emptying and filling the tank. This machine is great for clean carpet, upholstery, stairs, pet beds, area rugs, auto interiors and more.

Strong Points:

• Powerful and portable
• Combines superior suction
• Stain Trapper Tool

It has a long hose and 22 feet power cord that allows you to clean hard to reach areas. It is also easy to clean, fill, and store. The plastic is sturdy enough for intended use unless you intentionally want to use them for a basketball or target practice. This portable carpet cleaner is exactly what people are looking for.

It offers robust stain cleaning capabilities with abundant suction power and multiple accessories so you can take it to the landing the stairs or in the car if necessary. This model includes a stationary brush. Also comes with a small bottle of cleaning solution.

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7. Steamfast SF-275 Budget Canister Steam Cleaner

Steamfast upholstery cleaning machine equipped with a powerful 1500-watt heating system. Steam jet quickly and perfectly obliterates mildew and mold, bacteria, soap scum, and hard water buildup much more effectively than chemical solvents. This model has a lockable button on the handle to provide continuous steam.

Strong Points:

• Steam-on-demand trigger
• Powerful 1500-watt heating system
• Large back wheels for easy transport

It has a 48 oz tank which provides plenty of steam to mop large rooms without stopping for refills. This is a big time-saver that reduces your cleaning time more than 20 percent. The high-pressure nozzle removes most normal tub and shower grime. It is super sturdy, quality extenders and attachments that snap together securely.

Huge mop head with hard plastic hooks to attach the mop pad. Textured microfiber mop pads suck up dirt and wash easily in your washing machine. It also has wheels function which makes it easy to pull along with you, and light enough that the ergonomic handle makes it easy to lift when you need to.

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8. Hoover Power Scrub Elite Pet – Upright Upholstery Cleaner

With Hoover Elite upholstery cleaning machine, cleans your carpets quickly, so you can get back to what matters most. This could be a great deal for those who want to clean their sofa or their floor without breaking the bank.

Strong Points:

• Fast dry time
• 360-degree brushes
• 8 feet hose length

It allows you to choose between two cleaning modes. With deep clean, the power scrub really sinks into the carpet to remove dirt and debris. With quick clean, you can quickly clean up less serious dirt and get your carpet back into action in no time.

This upholstery cleaner comes with a 2-in-1 tool that is treated with an antimicrobial agent to reduce mold and mildew. The tool has two sets of brushes, one set of scrubbing brushes for upholstery and another set of rubber nubs for hygienic clean up. It also includes an 8-foot hose for all your above floor cleaning needs and a sample solution to get your project started.

The tanks are bigger so you don’t have to empty/fill them again and again. The detergent tank has its own chamber for the solution so you don’t need to measure it each time you fill. The tanks are also easier to take out and put back in. It has a wash/rinse control so you can just rinse the carpet if you want.

The setup is pretty simple and you just need a screwdriver. I also observed that the gaskets they use will hold up much better than others that include this post. The cord is a bit short, but it will cover just about any bedroom. Don’t think it’s a good idea to hover over the ground in dirt while dispensing liquid.

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9. Rug Doctor Red – Portable Deep Carpet Cleaner

Rug Doctor is a carpet cleaning company with a long history and they have used their experience and put a lot of effort here. With a large tank capacity, it is a great machine for beginner to professional users, thanks to its exceptional ergonomic balance and well construction. It is not necessary to have Hercules to move it.

Strong Points:

• Simple lift tanks
• Perfect for old stains
• Best-in-class suction power

Most upholstery cleaning machines only remove what you see on the surface, but Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner’s dual cross-action brush features ten rows of durable bristles that scrub carpet fibers clean from every angle, leaving carpets plush and smooth in just one pass. This upholstery cleaner is big on power but not on storage space.

It engineered with 75% more suction compared to other upright deep carpet cleaners for a quicker clean and faster dry time. Powerful suction removes dirt and extracts deep stains. You’ll see immediate results from the extra-wide 12” suction head that cleans large areas faster.

It has extra-large carpet-friendly wheels that make it easy to wheel and steer over area rugs and carpets. Simple lift tanks are so easy to fill and dump, and wide-mouth design makes rinsing tanks super easy. Plus, the solution measuring cup is integrated right into the easy-open tank cap to make it even easier to measure and pour.

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10. BISSELL Little ProHeat Portable Upholstery Cleaner

Now we come to the last model, the one from Bissell’s 48oz tank capacity. Its value for money is excellent, online reviews confirm this. Also, it offers you great. It is also very easy to carry because of its small and lightweight design and the tank is easy to fill and empty.

Strong Points:

• Strong spray
• Fresh scent formula
• 3-inch tough stain tool

The suction is impressive and much more powerful. The sprayer releases enough of a stream to fully saturate old or severe stains, and the suction is enough to fully dry the area so you won’t have to worry about mold or mildew due to standing water. To ensure optimal performance, it also comes with a small bottle of kid and pet-friendly spot cleaner.

It has 3″ tough stain tool that helps you clean hard-to-reach areas. With this machine, you can clean carpet, upholstery, stairs, area rugs, auto and more. The water heater will heat the water up to 25 degrees warmer than the temperature of the water that’s put in the clean tank. It is also very easy to use. No filter or anything to scrub out. Just fill one tank.

It is strictly a hand tool and comes with 2 ends that you can attach to the hose. A flat one and a crevice tool. Both have brushes on them but the brushes don’t move or vibrate. You do that by going over the spot or area yourself. It’s not like it takes a lot of setup so it’s easy to just take it out for a minor spill.

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Buyer’s Guide

This is well-known to anyone who has carpet, sofa, or others in the home, it is necessary to dedicate a thorough and complete cleaning to ensure the right hygiene for the whole house. For this reason, it is good to choose the most suitable appliance for the purpose. You already know that there are different types of upholstery cleaners able to clean with water or dry, or using steam directly on the spots.

Here are some important features that should be considered before making your purchase decision:

Functionality

Not all upholstery cleaners work in the same way, there are some that put in and then draw in water. Or others use dry cleaning systems that are still effective and able to trap and remove dirt. These are different systems to be chosen based on the characteristics of the place where you live.

The price of the machine will vary based on the functions and able to perform, so it is good to take into account the specific needs.

Hose length

It may be a little easier to run the carpet cleaner with a short hose. But if your carpet extends to remote locations, this little garden hose may not be enough to get the job done. Before settling on a machine, carefully examine your carpet and determine if a short pipe is enough to reach each corner or if a longer pipe is needed. You don’t want to end up with dirty nooks that you couldn’t reach.

Noise levels

There is no other solution. Upholstery cleaning machines are quite noisy and some are very noisy. The average noise level generated by most machines is around 80 decibels, some reaching around 85 decibels and others within a much more reasonable range of 70 decibels.

It may not sound very different, but remember that 80 decibels is twice as loud as 70 decibels and 90 decibels is twice as loud as 80. This is why it is generally recommended to wear earplugs.

Cleaning solution

Cleaning solutions can be quite expensive, so you have to be careful when choosing one. The manufacturers of the various machines almost all produce their own cleaning solutions which they consider to be the best to use with their devices. But it doesn’t work like that actually.

The metal and plastic collection called “carpet cleaning machine” doesn’t care which brand of the cleaning solution you choose. The most important thing therefore is to make sure you choose the one that suits your type of upholstery, no matter who makes it.

Waste tank size

Whether an upholstery cleaner or a standalone model, there must be a waste tank to collect the dirt and debris removed from the upholstery during the cleaning process. The larger the container, the less often you will need to empty it. On the other hand, if the waste container of a stand-alone carpet cleaner is too large, it will affect the mobility of the machine.

Ease of use

Most of the carpet cleaning machines on our list are fairly easy to use and budget-friendly. However, you have to keep in mind that these are not like vacuum cleaners. With the cleaning solution on board, they will be much heavier than a vacuum cleaner.

Because of their level of engagement with the carp, and they will be more difficult to push and pull than a vacuum cleaner. So even if they are relatively easy to use, they will require some physical effort.

The price

The initial cost of an upholstery cleaner will determine its appropriateness for use in your home or at business premises. In most cases, the cost of a good quality upholstery cleaner is 100 to 200 dollars. Some models price up to 200 dollars, it totally depends on functionality.

A large proportion of the upholstery cleaning devices available can be assigned to the cheaper price range. In fact, there are sometimes pretty big ways to save money if you fall back on a cheap brand. The minus point of a cheaper upholstery cleaning device that you should definitely take into account.

The power

It is certain that we must take into consideration the power and indispensable for cleaning upholstery. Although I hope not to disappoint by telling you that power is not all there are factors that you have to take into account because there are steam-wash with so much power but really do not need it for anything.

On the market, there is a great variety of upholstery cleaners designed to meet the specific needs of everyone. Certainly, everyone can particularly appreciate those models that can perform different functions using a single machine body. Such as those models that are able to work on any of the textiles present at home or in the car.

The accessories

Upholstery machines are often integrated with accessories that turn them into multi-function vacuum cleaners. If you are looking for a versatile appliance, this type of carpet cleaner is for you. The best models allow you to wash any type of textile material, including curtains and sofas. The important thing is to assess one’s needs and choose accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean upholstery?

That depends on how often the pad or surface is in use. Vacuuming away loose dirt and dust should take place at least once a week. An intensive upholstery cleaning, the so-called deep cleaning, should be done once a year.

How can I remove chewing gum from upholstery?

Some upholstery cleaners may fail if chewing gum has stuck to a cushion. There are home remedies that have proven effective in such a case. This includes using an ice cube in a freezer bag. The cold hardens the chewing gum completely, which makes it possible to break the chewing gum and comb it out of the cushion with a brush.

How long does it take for the cleaned upholstery to dry?

It depends on which upholstery cleaner is used. Upholstery cleaner in powder form should work for a few minutes. A special drying time is not required before vacuuming if a damp cloth was not used during the incorporation. For upholstery cleaners in the form of spray, for deep cleaning as foam and for cleaning up dirt with water-based products, it can take several hours to a day for the upholstery to dry.

What ingredients are in upholstery cleaners?

The ingredients vary depending on the product and it is not possible to make a general statement about the components used. Most upholstery cleaners use chemical ingredients that effectively fight dirt and trap or eliminate odors.

The disadvantage of chemical upholstery cleaners is their allergy potential. The ingredients contained can be irritating to the skin or irritate the respiratory tract when used. Most chemical substances are harmful to the environment and harmful to health in the long term.

In contrast, the upholstery cleaners on a natural basis. Only natural ingredients are used and there are no chemicals in the product. This has the advantage that the products are skin-friendly and can even be used on furniture in children’s rooms or on strollers without endangering the child.

Tips for steam cleaning your sofas

Indeed, for some people, cleaning the upholstery might seem an embarrassing or difficult process, but it is certainly not apodictic. The most important thing is to follow these cleaning tips and you will realize that the results are also more impeccable than at the start:

Void first

Vacuuming is the first thing to do before cleaning the upholstery. You must remove all kinds of dirt, dust, debris, spider web. This step is necessary and very important since when these things get wet, they could make the coating dirtier than before. Hence the quintessence of this first step before cleaning.

Treat local stains

The second step is to identify small and large stubborn stains that could settle on your padding. With your upholstery steam cleaner, spray the stains and let the cleaning solution act for a few minutes, preferably 3 to 5 minutes. After this time, you can remove the cleaning product using a clean cloth or cloth.

Use a pre-packer

It is very important to use a pre-packer or preconditioner before starting the actual cleaning. The preconditioner is basically a product that insulates all kinds of dirt and grime that could be trapped in the fabrics of your sofa. This would facilitate the actual cleaning with steam.

Cleaning time

Now you can use your super steam cleaner to clean your furniture and sofas properly with steam. To do this, take the trouble to start with the pillows, cleaning only one side at a time. Since most people don’t like having the wet end of their pillows on the floor.

But this process would increase the drying time and could even harm your fabrics. You can now start cleaning with the (rest) sofa once the cushions are well cleaned and installed.

Before going to the next step, make tiny pieces of furniture suddenly, while ensuring that as much water as possible is removed. Repeat this procedure as many times as necessary until satisfied.

Go to drying

At the end of the cleaning, it is necessary to leave a minimum of time for the furniture to allow it dry. So, if you are impetuous like most people, you can use a dryer or a fan to speed up the drying process.

Conclusion

The main purpose of this article is to help you get the best steam cleaner for upholstery, identify the necessary features you will need, and how to use them to ensure their effectiveness during cleaning. However, if you have any confusion don’t hesitate to leave a comment in the section below.