A dedicated spot cleaning machine, such as the Vax SpotWash Spot Cleaner, can save you untold time and effort when cleaning your carpets and upholstery.

How to choose the best upholstery cleaner for you What kind of product do I need to clean my upholstery? Ease of use We recorded how much elbow grease and repeat applications were needed to clean off the stain with each of the products and home remedies. Wondering how to remove stains from a carpet when you don't have a bottle of the tested cleaners handy? Simple to use and effective, this stain spray cleaner can keep your couch or carpet spotless, without damaging the fabric. Many of us have been there, and witnessed that moment when time slows down and a glass of red wine tumbles and splashes across your light carpet.

Our verdict: Like most of the home remedies we tried, vinegar works, but also like most of the home remedies, the smell left behind then needed cleaning up.

Using water, detergent and specially designed attachments, it can tackle everything from stained settees and dog beds to high-traffic stairs and muddy car boots. 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. Unlike other products, this spray doesn’t require any pre-treatment or dilution to take on everything from grease and lipstick to pen or shoe polish. This car upholstery cleaner from Simoniz removes worn-in dirt and food stains from your fabric, leather and vinyl car seats, as well as floor mats. Fresh stains were cleaned within five minutes of application, while dried stains were left until touch dry.

Some great features that earned it a spot on this list are the easy recyclability of its packaging, vegan-friendly status, and the handy applicator brush that comes with every bottle.

For smaller stains, put the fabric on an absorbent white surface, such as a white tissue for example. 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. While many cleaners are formulated to work safely on most types of fabric, it’s essential to read the label on a product before applying it in your home. So, if you want to revive the fabrics in your home or car, or have a specific stubborn stain you’ve been tackling, check out our list below. Best of all, the cleaning brush attached to the top of the bottle makes it easy to work the cleaning foam into furnishings and lift out dirt and stains.Once you've seen the stain fade away, you will need to put the fabric in the washing machine to get rid of the strong vinegar smell. Each zone was used for a stain - one of each type of stain for each product and home remedy being examined. Using the wrong upholstery cleaner on delicate items can result in damage, so it pays to be careful. 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. It’s a good general cleaner for removing dirt, odour and stains, and the added conditioners in the formula that soften and enliven your fabrics make it a great option for those looking to do a lot with a little.