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.

Homemade Upholstery Cleaner - How to Clean Upholstery 4 Homemade Upholstery Cleaner - How to Clean Upholstery

Katie Berry, The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board member, advises that upholstery cleaners not be used on some fabrics, like velvet and velour, as they can permanently damage them. Designed for use in the Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner, this upholstery and fabric cleaner formula works on all fabrics, is colour-safe and eliminates stains and odours well. We have a light coloured carpet on the stairs and the landing and it had some dreadful dark marks on it. While the narrow brush tool worked exceptionally well on delicate upholstery, it took a little practice to dispense the right amount of spray, so we suggest practicing on more rugged items before using on fragile fabric. This compact machine from Bissell has a carrying handle and a 15-foot power cord, and it weighs just 9.

Some heads, like the crevice tool or dusting brush, are best used when attached directly to the motor, while others, like the Laser Slim, perform best with the wand. For any stain, it is important to spot clean the sofa or textile as soon as possible when spills happen, then do a complete upholstery cleaning when it is convenient. These machines are usually more powerful than their cordless counterparts, but they may also be much heavier, making them difficult to move.

Scotchgard Fabric and Upholstery Cleaner with Scotchgard Scotchgard Fabric and Upholstery Cleaner with Scotchgard

By checking your fabric’s care label and testing the spray on a hidden area, you can avoid discoloration or other adverse effects, too. With over four years of experience, Daniel and Easyway Maid Service specialize in executive-quality maid service, as well as vacation rental cleaning and overall home deep cleaning. Mechanical action helps remove the stain, and the solvent and surfactant allow it to be carried away—or, in this instance, vacuumed away. With this type of cleaning, also known as 'vacuum extraction method,' we introduce a solvent (water) and a surfactant (soap) to the material we want to clean," says Wayne Edelman, CEO of Meurice Garment Care and CLEAN by Meurice.

Simple cover the stain with a healthy dollop of the foam, leave for around 15 minutes, then remove with a damp cloth, and leave to dry. It can be used on all sorts of stains, from hair dye to pet mess and long-set-in marks on vintage pieces. Leaving it to become embedded in the fibres can not only damage the material but can stain or become difficult to remove.