We tested the best upholstery cleaners and chose the winner | Comparisons | Dispay window

Food or grease stains, dust, paint…The fabric of sofas, chairs or car seats (not to mention the mattress, especially when there are children at home) accumulates all kinds of dirt. And while there are some home remedies that can help, if the stains are encrusted, removing them will be difficult. What’s the best way to do this? With a device specially designed for upholstery cleaning as protagonists of this comparison. To achieve this, they usually incorporate a tank of water that is sprayed onto the fabric while it is vacuumed together with all the dirt.

How we chose and tested the products

Until now, when I had to clean the carpets in the house (one in the living room and another in the children’s bedroom) I did it by taking them out onto the terrace and cleaning them under pressure with a pressure washer. It wasn’t the fastest, but it was the most effective without having any other options. I vacuumed the car seats with my portable vacuum cleaner and then removed the stains with a microfibre cloth and The Order’s famous ‘magic formula’.

For the tests I carried out a cleaning on these elements at the same time as the four machines participating in the comparison, dividing by quadrants. In this way I was able to see the differences in their cleaning capacity, but also observe if the fabrics were very wet or the tubes reached where necessary.

Given the results, I don’t think I will use any of these methods again. It was the first time I tried an upholstery cleaning machine, and I did it on these surfaces, usually full of hair, crumbs, dirt and liquids of all kinds; I have two small children, it cannot be otherwise. And they are like new.

After this experience, What features do I consider essential when choosing a model?

• Project: its dimensions, the materials used for its construction and the quality of the finishes.
• Energy: It is essential to know if they can suck up all the water and detergent they spray so that the fabrics do not get too wet, but also to ensure that they remove stains and traces of dirt well.
• Accessories: the length of the tube and cable and the variety of accessories for different types of surfaces or uses. Having a single head for everything is not like having one for small seats, another for large surfaces…

For stubborn stains: Karcher SE 2 Spot Care

Who is it for: for those looking for an effective stain remover on all types of stains and fabrics, ideal for specific areas and also easy to store.

Why we recommend it: The first thing that catches your attention is its compact and lightweight design: its 4 kg can be handled with agility and the resistant plastic finish conveys a good feeling of durability. The included accessories also make it easy to use. The nozzle thus allows you to reach the narrowest corners of the sofa, while the stain removal brush helps to effortlessly remove the most stubborn dirt. Plus, the hose and cord are just the right length to move comfortably without having to constantly change the plug, while the swivel joint offers even more freedom of movement.

After a child’s birthday, I took the opportunity to clean some soda stains on the living room carpet and the result was amazing. The dirt disappeared quickly leaving the fabric only slightly damp. It was also very useful for car seats, where it removed traces of mud and food stains that had remained for a long time. Constant suction and the combination of spray and suction make cleaning simple and effective. However, although its 450W is sufficient for recent stains, when the dirt is more encrusted or complete drying is necessary, it is necessary to pass the nozzle several times.

Its weak points: Although it has a double tank to separate clean water from dirty water, its capacity is small, so it needs to be emptied frequently during longer cleanings.

For windows: Conga 7000 Carpet&Spot

12% discount, save 20 euros.

Who is it for: It is ideal for those who want to clean different surfaces with a single device, as it has a wide variety of accessories.

Why we recommend it: pet hair, food residue, stains from daily use… This upholstery cleaner has proven in tests to work well with all types of residues. It was particularly effective on the sofa where my dog ​​usually sits (and so it had a bit of everything) and both the vacuuming and cleaning of the fabric were satisfactory. To use it, the first thing to do is fill the tank with water and then choose from the accessories and heads it includes to adapt to different surfaces: upholstery, self-cleaning, brush… It also has one for glass that leaves no marks. Its autonomy is very long, and in addition to the sofa I was able to use it on all the windows without having to fill the tank. Furthermore, it can reach everywhere very well because the cable is very long.

Its weak points: Although it is very complete, it can be a little bulky to store and it is difficult to move it around a bit if space is limited. If the dirt is abundant it is necessary to empty the tank frequently.

For stains: Taurus Textile Care Hygienic

Who is it for: It is perfect for those who, in addition to vacuuming, need to clean stains on fabrics, and without spending a fortune.

Why we recommend it: My living room carpet had a stain (I think it was food) that I had never been able to completely get out. Well, thanks to the water jet of this vacuum cleaner, I finally succeeded! The suction is quite good, but it is true that on surfaces with a lot of animal hair, for example, I had to give it several passes. I also liked its versatility in terms of accessories: it includes a 2 in 1 nozzle for reaching very small corners, a normal brush for thicker coatings and a rubber brush for more delicate fibres. Furthermore, you can use it wirelessly, so it is a very convenient solution, for example for the car.

Its weak points: I found the heads a little flimsy and it’s also noisy.

Upholstery cleaner with two nozzles: Vacmaster SCA0801

Who is it for: for those looking for ease of use and not intending to make very intensive use.

Why we recommend it: With an operating system very similar to that of the competition, it is equipped with two nozzles: a narrow one for encrusted stains and a wider one for areas with less accumulated dirt or large water spills. What’s happening? It’s a slightly less effective machine than its competitors, and with similar stains (for example, clay on a carpet) we found that it is necessary to scrub a little with a bristle brush before proceeding with the vacuuming to get it perfect. I especially liked the ease of handling, with a very long power cable (6 metres) and a 1.8 meter hose, enough to reach every corner. It comes with a carpet cleaning solution included which leaves a very pleasant smell.

Its weak points: The plastic used for its construction (especially the accessories) is quite fragile.

Other models of interesting upholstery cleaners

If you have pets

The Bissell SpotClean Pet Pro’s powerful suction and brushing nozzles effectively remove hair or dirt.

9% discount, save 24.30 euros.

If you are looking for a machine that cleans large surfaces

The two tanks of the MPM Vira have a capacity of up to 4.5 liters and 10 litres, for clean water and dirty water respectively.

If you want to clean floors made of different materials

The Clatronic BSS 1309 model comes with a brush for parquet floors, another for tiles and one for carpets, among other accessories.

11% discount, save 17.31 euros.

Upholstery Cleaner FAQs

Is it only used for upholstery or also for carpets and mattresses?

Most of these devices are multi-surface: they clean sofas, chairs, car seats, carpets, mattresses and even rugs. You just need to adjust the nozzle or suction power based on the type of fabric.

Is it possible to use hot water in the tank?

Some models allow this up to a certain temperature (for example 40 °C). Ideally, always consult the manual, as excessive heat can damage the seals or the engine.

How to prevent the device from clogging or losing suction power?

It is advisable to clean the filters and nozzles after each use, empty the tanks and do not leave dirty water accumulated. Once a month it is recommended to clean it with warm water without detergent to keep the ducts free from residues.

What type of products can be used with an upholstery cleaner?

It depends on the model. Most accept clean water or mixtures with specific injection-extraction detergents. It is important not to use bleach, regular soap or fabric softeners, as they can damage the internal system or leave a sticky residue.

*All purchase prices included in this article are as of November 7, 2025.

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