Before you use any upholstery cleaner, make sure you read the label that comes with your furniture so you can ensure that you’re not going to damage the material. In some cases, furniture will require a water-based cleaner, while others require water-free products, and some may advise against using an upholstery cleaner altogether. As lead researcher for our carpet stain removers testing, I've spent hours scrubbing away at coffee, curry, red wine and tomato ketchup stains. More than 20 carpet tiles and some serious elbow grease later, here's what I've learned about shifting tough stains: The type of product is one thing, but you've got to finesse the way you use it for the best results. Some solutions have to be blotted in gently with a microfiber cleaning cloth, others have to be scrubbed in, using bristled brushes to work the product into the material, and a few have to be 'left to sit' for a short period of time. Try to use only what you need, as a) it can be wasteful otherwise, and b) excessive product might make dyed fabrics 'bleed'.

To clean upholstery that can't be washed, such as a couch or mattress, using an upholstery or spot cleaner is the best way to effectively clean the piece of furniture. What can upholstery cleaner be used for? Fresh stains are cleaned within five minutes of application, while dried stains are left until touch dry. Each stain is assessed on the following factors: It did, however, work on the curry stains, proving slightly more effective with vinegar. The downside to using vinegar is the smell, so you'll need to clean the scent out afterwards. How we test carpet stain removers Each upholstery cleaner is applied to the stains above on cotton blend and wool fabric. The cleaned stains are left until touch dry and assessed for the following factors: 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. We test these solutions and machines in our own homes, to clean real-life day-to-day messes that we're faced with.

Trust me when I say that having a carpet cleaning solution in your caddy can be the difference between replacing your entire carpet or couch or salvaging your favorite furniture items. All it takes is a little elbow grease (or none at all if you invest in an electronic appliance). As an extra eco-friendly bonus, these kinds of cleaning products are often produced by companies that keep a close eye on their environmental footprint, so they are usually formulated to be gentle on the environment and likely to come in recyclable or sustainable containers. Unwanted Food or Drink Products - Once supply conditions are broken, there are a number of factors outside of our control that can affect the quality of a product. Therefore perishable goods such as food and drink cannot be returned. If you’re regularly dealing with really tough stains and large surface areas, you should consider a dedicated cleaning machine such as a spot cleaner or a carpet cleaner. We’ve included a couple of affordable spot cleaners in this roundup, but you should also take a look at our guide to the best carpet cleaners. Do different fabrics require dedicated cleaners?

But we don't go spilling red wine on our carpets and rugs on purpose, because that would be counterproductive. Instead, we keep them underneath our sink and use them when necessary, snapping photos as we go. We use them based on the instructions on the label and we'll always test them in an inconspicuous spot beforehand. We tried two different bicarb mixes for these tests. One with warm water and one with vinegar. With both mixes we sprinkled the bicarbonate of soda over the stain, fully covering it. Then we poured over the liquid until the stains were drenched. We found two standout Best Buys that did best at shifting more stains. Our testing also revealed that paying more doesn't necessarily get you the standout results and that some stain removers are better than others for a particular stains or spill. The best clothes and fabric stain removers When cleaning a more delicate material such as wool or leather, ensure that you use a gentle cleaning product, or one specifically made to be used on that material. Using the wrong upholstery cleaner on delicate items can result in damage, so it pays to be careful. Are there gentler cleaners available for those with allergies or pets? We test the most popular stain removers for clothes and upholstery and buy all the bottles we test.To remove the blood stain, use a cloth or sponge, dampen the stain with water. Apply the powder, leave for 30 minutes then wipe away with a damp cloth. Removing stains from clothes, fabric and upholstery can be a nightmare to remove. However, whether it's red wine or turmeric-flavoured curry on your tablecloth, or blood on your favourite white shirt, we've found the best stain removers. Each stain remover for clothes and fabric are applied to the stains above on a white cotton T-shirt: Ease of use We record how much elbow grease and repeat applications are needed to clean off the stain with each of the products and home remedies. It is advisable the room is well ventilated during and after use and that your pet is not in the same room when treating the fabric.

In our fabric stain remover tests we found meat tenderiser powder to be the most effective product for removing bloodstains. We also found one stain remover that did a good job of getting rid of bloodstains from clothing. Texture of carpet We compare the cleaned zones to an unstained piece of carpet to see if there has been an effect on the carpet's texture. We examine them directly after cleaning and then after the zones have dried. If you’re reading this article, then you may have come to realise why it’s always good to have a bottle or two of best upholstery cleaner in your cleaning cupboard. Whether it’s a dreaded red wine stain on your new sofa or many months of pet- and child-related grubbiness that’s built up on your furniture, the top upholstery cleaners can work wonders. Indeed, choose wisely and using an upholstery cleaner should feel a little bit like magic. Strong stains, worked-in grime or everyday dirt should all lift straight off with the right product – it’s simply a case of using the best cleaner for the job at hand. Each zone is used for a stain - one of each type of stain for each product and home remedy being examined. Not just for targeting stains including wine, coffee, mud plus more, an upholstery cleaner will also give a new lease of life to your belongings. An upholstery cleaner usually comes in spray form, and some can be used manually whilst others you could use along with a carpet cleaning machine for a deeper clean. Simply spray the area, leave to work its magic, and then wipe it away. In some cases, you might want to vacuum over the stain to remove any residue from the spray, but yes: it's that easy!

The best upholstery cleaner to buy in 2023

Meat tenderiser powder works by breaking down the proteins in meat, which helps to give you a more tender steak. This same process can be used to break down protein-based stains such as blood or vomit. Ease of use We record how much elbow grease and repeat applications are needed to clean off the stain with each of the products and home remedies. Apply the carpet stain remover to the stain and not your sponge or cloth, especially for old stains. Then use your cleaning tool (I found a sponge to be the most effective) to work the stain remover deep into the fibres of the carpet. For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned. Our verdict If you ever did the volcano experiment at school you know how this goes. It's very visually impressive. That said, don't use bicarbonate of soda to clean red wine stains. When we tried it, it appeared to react with the wine stain and we were left with a large patch of carpet with a blue tinge.