Upholstery may be the most overlooked, under-cleaned surface in your home. But it’s never too late to give your furniture a refresh. Our experts have outlined three key ways to add upholstery cleaning to your routine.
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 Centre of Excellence. But. If you only clean soft surfaces when you see stains or smell an unpleasant odour, 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 – like with a vacuum and a portable carpet and upholstery cleaner – can help you keep your house cleaner and prolong the life of your favourite 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 like 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 like:
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Dog and cat fur resting on the surface or embedded into the fabric
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Crumbs, dirt and dust in crevices
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Debris, like grass clippings or kitty litter
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Pet dander, pollen and other tiny particles
Deeper cleaning with a liquid cleaning formula and a portable carpet and upholstery cleaning machine, like a Little Green® Machine cleaner, is needed to remove messes that have made their way into the upholstery material and padding. These messes include:
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Food and beverage stains
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Grime from body oil, fur and hair
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Pet accidents, like urine or vomit
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Lingering odours trapped deep in the material
Getting ready to clean upholstery – before you start
Like any household task, preparation is key to effective furniture maintenance. Take time to assess your couch, car 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.
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W: Water-based cleaning solutions
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S: Solvent-based cleaners
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WS: Both water and solvent-based cleaners
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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
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Portable deep cleaner, like the Little Green® Machine upholstery and carpet cleaner
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Cleaning formula, like Oxy Spot & Stain Professional Strength Formula for Big Green
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OR, if you don't have a portable deep cleaner, you can use the Pet Pro Oxy Stain Destroyer spray
Step 1: Start by zeroing in on the stain or accident. If you are cleaning with a deep cleaning machine, like the Little Green® Machine, fill the clean tank with warm water to the water fill line. Then, add the Oxy Spot & Stain Professional Strength Formula to the formula line. This formula removes the toughest stains and eliminates odours.
Step 2: If you’re using a handheld spray like the Pet Pro Oxy Stain Destroyer, cover the stain with the solution, treating again if the stain doesn’t quickly lift. If you are using a deep-cleaning machine, spray enough solution to soak the fabric. Use the sprayer's bristles 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, like the arms of your couch.
Step 3: Once your upholstered furniture looks and smells fresh, let it air-dry for several hours. To speed up the drying process, turn on a fan, open a window or turn on your AC or heat.
Pro Tip:
“To avoid water rings, treat and extract the entire surface being cleaned, not just the small stain,” says Jim Pell, BISSELL Senior Chemist. By cleaning the whole cushion or the entire arm of a chair, you’ll push any water marks to the edges, where they won’t be visible.
Surface cleaning for everyday wear
Use a vacuum to clean the surface of upholstered furniture at least once every two weeks. This can prevent dirt, crumbs and fur from building up.
Gather necessary supplies
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Vacuum or stick vac with upholstery tool, like the PowerClean® FurFinder™ stick vac
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Optional: lint roller or microfiber cloth
Step 1: Attach the upholstery tool to your vacuum or stick vac. Most of the vacuums from the pet range are great at removing 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 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 odours
Deep cleaning your upholstered furniture every month or two targets the gradual buildup of oils and odours as well as set-in stains. Deep cleaners use water and formula to remove both surface-level and deep-seated 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
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Vacuum or stick vac with upholstery tool, like the PowerClean® FurFinder™ stick vac
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Portable deep cleaner, like the Little Green® Machine carpet and upholstery cleaner
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Cleaning formula, like Little Green™ Oxy Spot & Stain with StainProtect® Technology
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 odours 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 odours.
Step 3: With your Little Green® Machine, start at the top or the far edge of the fabric. As you spray on the formula, work your way down, using enough solution to soak the fabric and get into the backing, which may be holding onto stains and odours. 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, like the arms of a chair or your dog’s favourite 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, beverage 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 it's compatible with both water and solvent-based cleaners. To be safe, you can test a small, inconspicuous area first.
How can I get odours out of furniture and upholstery?
Deep cleaning with a BISSELL® formula in the clean tank of your machine is the best way to lift odours and stains. For example, Little Green™ OXY Spot & Stain Formula not only removes unwanted stains, but it also neutralises 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 disperse all the way to the edges, hiding any lines and water marks.
Key Takeaways
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. With the right BISSELL products in your toolkit, you’ll keep your furniture and furnishings fresh for longer and give them the longest life possible.