How to Clean Upholstery

It’s easy to get attached to your couch. Or favorite chair. Or comfy little corner of the loveseat. But cleaning it? That might be a different story. We’re here to make it easy to deeply clean your favorite areas of the home — including upholstery. All it takes the right machines and tools, at the right time. In the spirit of starting a fresh spring-cleaning routine, read this How To Clean Upholstery Guide for tips on getting things clean, and keeping them that way.

Step-By-Step Guide to Cleaning Upholstery

Step 1: Remove Pillows and Throws

To start cleaning, take off anything that can be removed from it. That means throw blankets, pillows, and anything else. Most blankets can be washed in the washing machine, and in some cases, so can those pillowcases. But of course, you’ll want to double check the tags on those to make sure you’re washing them correctly. If you don’t see a tag, contact the manufacturer to make sure you wash it correctly.

Step 2: Vacuum Debris and Pet Hair

Once you have all the ‘extras’ off the couch or chair, focus on the cushions. Technically, these can be taken off, and they should, but they can’t just be thrown in the washing machine. That’s where our vacuums will come in handy. Use your vacuum’s attachments to clean hair and loose dirt from the surface and press gently down on the couch cushions and pull the brush toward you in a raking motion. Once you’re done getting the dry debris off the cushions, switch out your attachments for the crevice tool. Use this cleverly thin tool to get into those tricky spots, like between the couch where all those crumbs (and who knows what else) always fall.

Step 3: Check the Manufacturer's Tag

Before starting your upholstery cleaning, it’s always a good idea to check the manufacturer’s tag for specific cleaning how-to's. It’s likely called the manufacturer's cleanability code tag. Here is a breakdown of how most tags are coded. W: This code means that you should use water-based shampoos and cleaners. S: This code means that you should use non-water-based solvents. WS or SW: This tag means you can use either water-based cleaners or non-water-based solvents. X: Do not use either water-based cleaners or non-water-based solvents. Generally, this can only be cleaned with vacuuming or brushing. It’s always recommended to test on an inconspicuous area or checking with the manufacturer if you’re not sure.

Step 4: Pretreat Tough Stains (Optional)

Now that the dry debris is removed, let’s give your couch a good, deep clean. But, before you get upholstery cleaner out, take a look at your couch and assess any glaring stains that need a little extra attention. Tackle those stains by pretreating them with one of our specially developed formulas. Many of our other formulas have the power of oxygen behind them. Oxy cleaners work great on colored stains, like spilled drinks and food. These formulas start working the second they contact stains to mobilize, lift and penetrate the stains where they started.

Step 5: Get out the Deep Cleaner

Revitalize your living space with a thorough deep cleaning of your upholstery — banishing dirt, stains, and odors. Deep cleaning will help refresh and revitalize your upholstery and keep it clean from everyday messes, spills, and stains.

Deep Cleaning with Portable Deep Cleaners

These small machines are designed to help you clean accidental spills and stains, as well as dinge and pet oils, quickly from anywhere — including stairs, upholstery, and your car. Like upright carpet cleaners, portable carpet cleaners come with a wide range of attachments for cleaning harder-to-reach areas. Much like upright cleaners, portable upholstery cleaners release a mixture of preheated water (added by you) and carpet formula (or shampoo) to help remove spills, smells, and stains. From there, a manual or spinning brush is used to work the mixture into the fibers and loosen up the mess. Then, the portable upholstery cleaner uses powerful suction to lift the dirty water into a separate tank.

Deep Cleaning with HydroSteam® Technology

BISSELL takes deep cleaning a step further with an innovation called HydroSteam® Technology, which treats tough and oily messes to help clean them up 50% better. With its specialized heat, HydroSteam® Technology can generate steam based on the surface it’s cleaning. Unlike a regular steam mop that relies solely on steam, HydroSteam® Technology combines water and formula, ensuring no stain is left behind. To activate the steam, apply formula to the stain and spill and switch to SteamWash™ mode. Wait for the steam indicator to illuminate, which indicates steam readiness. Then apply the 5" Tough Stain Tool to the spill and pass over to loosen and remove.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Use Spray Carpet Cleaner Before Carpet Cleaning?

Similar to how you might pre-treat your clothing before you put it in the washing machine, you can spray a spot cleaner on your upholstery as a prep step before you clean it with a machine.

What is the Best Type of Upholstery Cleaner for My Home?

Upholstery cleaners come in a wide variety of sizes and formats. Choosing the best one for you depends on the jobs you want to get done. Whether it’s tackling trouble spots in hard-to-reach corners or deep cleaning tough, set-on stains, we can help you discover the tool that's designed for the task. Below, you’ll find our recommendations portable deep cleaners and formulas, as well as the best tips on removing stains and machine maintenance.

Can Upholstery Cleaning Remove Invisible Messes from Upholstery?

Yes, upholstery cleaners can remove common messes like dirt, skin cells, pollen and food particles that regular vacuuming might miss.

What’s the Difference Between an Upholstery Cleaner and Shampooer?

Good question. (We get asked this a lot.) Upholstery cleaners and shampooers are the same thing. Much like soda versus pop, the terms are interchangeable and may differ from region to region.

How Often Should I Clean My Upholstery?

We recommend cleaning your upholstery frequently, especially as spots, spills, and stains occur.

How Long Does It Take My Upholstery to Dry?

Drying time will vary by the type of fabric, the number of times you go over an area without spraying, and the humidity and air circulation in the room.

In general, we recommend waiting four to six hours before sitting on couches and chairs after deep cleaning. However, it’s important to note that it can take up to 24 hours to fully dry.

What’s the Best Way to Take Care of My Upholstery Cleaning Machine?

There are three main things to keep in mind:

1. Empty and rinse the dirty water tank after every use and before storing.
2. If your machine contains any filters or gaskets, wipe debris from these screens.
3. Check the brush roll after each use to clean any debris that may be stuck. If the brush can easily be removed, remove and rinse with hot water and let it dry.

We hope this guide to clean your upholstery comes in handy whenever messes happen on your most comfy seats in the house!