How to Clean Upholstery

You regularly clean your floors, but what about your furniture? Upholstered couches, chairs, stools, and car interiors are often overlooked during the weekly reset, according to Jim Pell, a senior chemist for upholstery and floor cleaning formulas and a member of BISSELL Upholstery Center of Excellence. If you only clean soft surfaces when you see stains or smell an unpleasant odor, you may be waiting too long.

“It’s good to refresh your furniture, rather than waiting to deep clean until you see a buildup of grime,” says Jim. Spot cleaning in addition to regular maintenance cleaning – such as with a vacuum and portable carpet and upholstery cleaner – can help you keep a cleaner house and prolong the life of your favorite upholstered items.

Here’s how to clean upholstery, according to the experts.

Understanding upholstery cleaning needs 

A cozy couch or comfy chair can collect surface level debris and deeply set stains.  

Dry, surface-level upholstery cleaning can be done with a vacuum such as the PowerClean® FurFinder™ Stick Vacuum, which converts to a handheld vacuum and can be used with the FurFinder™ Upholstery Tool. You might vacuum up materials such as:

• Dog and cat fur resting on the surface or embedded into the fabric
• Crumbs, dirt, and dust in crevices
• Debris, such as grass clippings or kitty litter
• Pet dander, pollen, and other tiny particles

Deeper cleaning with a liquid cleaning formula and a portable carpet and upholstery cleaning machine such as a Little Green® Machine is needed to remove messes that have made their way into the upholstery material and padding. These messes include:

• Food and beverage stains
• Grime from body oil, fur, and hair
• Pet accidents, such as urine or vomit
• Lingering odors trapped deep in the material

Getting ready to clean upholstery – before you start

Like any household task, preparation is key for effective furniture maintenance. Take time to assess your couch, love seat, or comfy chair – including the upholstery type, manufacturer’s instructions, and the level of cleaning it might need.

Assess the upholstery

Surface cleaning upholstery

Most fabrics used for upholstery are generally safe to vacuum and otherwise surface clean. If you have any concerns about the durability of your fabric or furniture, try vacuuming a discreet area of your upholstery first using gentle, slow strokes.

Deep cleaning upholstery

Many fabric types can be cleaned with water-based solutions and deep cleaning machines. Before you start, check the manufacturer's tag on upholstery for specific cleaning codes. BISSELL® carpet cleaners and formulas can be used to clean furniture with a “W” or a “WS” on the tag.

• W: Water-based cleaning solutions
• S: Solvent-based cleaners
• WS: Both water and solvent-based cleaners
• X: Professional cleaning only

A deep cleaner is recommended for removing stains on upholstered items because most messes move through the fabric deep into the furniture padding, which can’t be cleaned with a sponge or damp cloth.

“If you’ve ever seen a yellow pillow, that’s what it’s like underneath your upholstery,” says Jim. “With a deep cleaner, you can get the stain out of the fabric’s surface, but also clean under it, getting the mess out of even deep layers of your furniture.”

3 Levels of upholstery cleaning

Upholstery can get a spot clean, a surface clean, or a deep clean and full refresh.

Spot clean for small spills and stains

From coffee spills to doggie accidents, spot cleaning can help you quickly remove concentrated stains from upholstery.  Whether you use a carpet  and upholstery cleaning machine or a spray-on formula, this level of cleaning is only recommended for fabric couches that can be cleaned with water-based cleaners. (The manufacturer’s tag will say “W” or “WS”.)

Gather necessary supplies

• Portable deep cleaner, such as the Little Green® Machine (1400B)

• Cleaning formula, like Little Green™ Oxy Spot & Stain with StainProtect® Technology (20386)

• OR
• Professional Pet Stain and Odor Removing Formula spray (77x7)

Step 1: Start by zeroing in on the stain or accident. If you are cleaning with a deep cleaning machine, such as the Little Green® Machine, fill the clean tank with warm water to the water fill line. Then, add Little Green™ Oxy Spot & Stain with StainProtect® Technology to the formula line. This formula removes the toughest stains and eliminates odors.

Step 2: If you’re using a handheld spray such as PET PRO OXY Stain Destroyer, cover the stain with solution, treating again if the stain doesn’t quickly lift. If you are cleaning with a deep cleaning machine, spray enough solution to soak the fabric. Use the bristles on the sprayer to gently scrub the area you are cleaning, applying more solution as needed. With the sprayer off, press down gently on the upholstery as you pull back and extract the liquid. Repeat this extraction step until the majority of the liquid has been removed. You may want to clean certain well-used areas twice, such as the arms of your couch.

Step 3: Once your upholstered furniture is looking and smelling fresh, give it several hours to air dry. To speed up the drying process, turn on a fan, open a window, or turn on your AC or heat.

Surface clean for everyday wear

Use a vacuum to clean the surface of upholstered furniture at least once every two weeks. This can prevents dirt, crumbs, and fur from building up.

Gather necessary supplies

• Vacuum or stick vac with upholstery tool, such as the PowerClean® FurFinder™ stick vac
• Optional: lint roller or microfiber cloth

Step 1: Attach the upholstery tool to your vacuum or stick vac. We like the FurFinder™ Tool on the PowerClean® FurFinder™ stick vac, which removes fur stuck to the surface and embedded in the fabric.

Step 2: Vacuum the whole surface. Start on top, using long, slow strokes to get a thorough clean. You may need to switch to a crevice tool if you find dirt and debris is stuck  between cushions or crevices.

Step 3: If cushions are removable, vacuum all sides and crevices.

Step 4: If possible, flip the cushions for more even wear.

Step 5: If any visible debris remains, go over the upholstery with a lint roller or slightly dampened microfiber cloth.

Deep clean to refresh fabric and remove grime and odors

Deep cleaning your upholstered furniture every month or two targets the gradual buildup of oils and odors as well as set-in stains. Deep cleaners like the Litle Green® Machine portable carpet cleaner use water and formula to remove both surface level and sunk-in messes. By refreshing your upholstery even when you don’t see visible staining, you can keep your fabric clean and help lengthen the life of your furniture. Deep cleaning is only recommended for fabric that can be cleaned with water-based cleaners. (The manufacturer’s tag will say “W” or “WS”.) You should always test your formula in an inconspicuous spot before cleaning your whole surface.

Gather necessary supplies

• Vacuum or stick vac with upholstery tool, such as the PowerClean® FurFinder™ stick vac
• Portable deep cleaner, such as the Little Green® Machine  (1400B)

• Cleaning formula, like Little Green™ Oxy Spot & Stain with StainProtect® Technology (20386)

Step 1: Start with a surface clean, vacuuming all of the upholstery, including using any special tools to lift embedded fur or clear crumbs from crevices.

Step 2: With your fabric free of pet hair and debris, it’s time to deep clean and target odors and stains. Fill your Little Green® Machine deep cleaner with warm water to the water fill line. Then, add Little Green™ Oxy Spot & Stain solution to the formula line to remove tough stains and eliminate odors

Step 3: With your Little Green® Machine, start at the top or far edge or the fabric. As you spray on formula, work your way down, using enough solution to soak the fabric and get into the backing, which may be holding onto stains and odors. Use the bristles on the Tough Stain Tool to gently scrub the area you are cleaning, applying more solution as needed. With the sprayer off, press down gently and pull back, extracting the loosened stains and formula. Repeat this extraction step until the majority of the liquid has been removed. You may want to clean certain well-used areas twice, such as the arms of a chair, or your dog’s favorite seat on the couch.

Step 4: Once your upholstery is clean, give it at least 4 to 6 hours to air dry completely. To speed up the drying time, you can turn on a fan, open a window, or turn on your AC or heat.

Regular upholstery cleaning schedule

Vacuum your upholstered surfaces weekly or bi-weekly, spot clean immediately after spills and stains, and deep clean approximately every two months. Rotate and fluff cushions regularly to maintain even wear – or be sure to test out every seat in the house to spread the use around.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I clean my upholstered surfaces?

We recommend bi-weekly vacuuming, bi-monthly deep cleaning, and immediate spot treatment for pet accidents, beverages spills, and other contained messes.

Can I use these cleaning methods on all furniture?

When cleaning upholstered furniture, check the tag to ensure it has a “W” for Water-based cleaning solutions or a “WS,” which means its compatible with both water and solvent-based cleaners. To be safe, you can test a small, inconspicuous area first.

How can I get odors out of furniture and upholstery?

Deep cleaning with a BISSELL® formula in the clean tank of your machine is the best way to lift odors and stains. For example, Little Green™ OXY Spot & Stain Formula not only removes unwanted stains, it neutralizes bad smells and leaves behind a pleasant, fresh scent.

Do BISSELL® carpet cleaners work on upholstery?

Yes. We test our carpet cleaning machines on carpet as well as upholstery fabric to ensure they can clean any soft surface in your home.

How can I avoid water rings when I spot clean upholstery?

The best way to avoid any water rings when deep cleaning spots and stains is to clean the whole area. For example, if the stain is on a cushion, clean the whole cushion, not just the corner. The water and cleaning formula will disburse all the way to the edges, hiding any lines and water marks.

Conclusion

Keeping your upholstery clean is doable - with consistent effort and the right tools. The trick is to spot clean when spills and stains occur, then perform regular surface cleaning and between deeper refreshes using a carpet cleaning machine.