When putting together a good list for upholstery cleaning, you can’t just have one list. There is no one magic wand or cure-all that can tackle everything, cleaner or machine. It’s important to look at all aspects of the cleaning process. That’s why we have made our selections more comprehensive to the process. Below you will find the top three choices in general cleaners, portable extractors, and protectors. Once you’re done, your stain won’t stand a chance.
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Products
When it comes to upholstery cleaning products, there are hundreds to choose from. How can they all be the best? Well, many times the cleaner you find on the shelves is little more than hydrogen peroxide that has been diluted and given a fragrance. It’s important to look at the back label of the bottle as much as the front. That’s why only one hydrogen peroxide-based cleaner made the list.
It’s also important to recognize that none of the cleaners have solvents in them. Some upholstery protectors need a solvent to work properly, but only use it as a means to transport the protectant into the thread strands of the upholstery. While solvents can be used to rid fabric of paints, inks, and greases, I find they are best served with their own list. Here are my top upholstery cleaning products:
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- Water-based, nonflammable, and odorless
- Safe for children and pets
- Excellent for upholstery
- Excellent pricepoint
- Dual Action Formula - Pet stains and odors
- Enzymatic formula breaks down protein stains.
- Perfect for pet stains.
- Pleasing citrus scent.
Why Is FOLEX My Top Upholstery Cleaner?
I love this cleaner. As a professional, I’d always kept a bottle of this with me. Labelled as a surfactant (synthetic soap), this product works amazingly against food, grime, and water stains. FOLEX does not leave anything behind, making extraction effortless and simple. FOLEX can, in most cases, play well with other cleaners. Finally, FOLEX has a great price-point.
Portable Extractors
Upholstery and carpet spray cleaners aren’t the only thing necessary for a clean fabric. Portable extractors can easily cut your cleaning time in half while ensuring you remove more of the problem substance AND cleaner. After all, what is not removed from the fabric stays, giving rise to problems like water-staining, the remaining cleaner continuing to work, and a higher chance for the area to attract soil after it’s dried. The following top 3 include a steam option, versatility option, and a value option.
- Steam feature makes cleaning very easy.
- Easy to use dual-tank system with 64oz. capacity.
- Multi-surface versatility with multiple heads
- 3 Cleaning modes: Steam, Wash, and SteamWash
- Hose-Rinse Feature flushes the machine to remove left-behind dirt
- 40 oz dual Tank capacity
- Comes with an impressive 7" WidePath tool and tight-spot tool as well
- Most tool options of the bunch - including a 7" Wide-Path tool
- 24 oz. Capacity
- Includes 2 Formula systems for more well-rounded cleaning
Why is the Bissell Little Green HydroStream My Top Portable Extractor
When looking for the top upholstery cleaner, you need a proper support unit. Pulling your soil and cleaner using only a towel is, at best, a 50/50 shot. Increase your odds dramatically by using a portable extractor. Then increase those odds by adding a steam option on top. With the HydroSteam, you bring the best probability to properly lift a stain. By using steam you shorten the length of time your furniture stays wet, improve the cleaning power of your FOLEX allowing you to use less, and raise the likelihood of the successful removal of the soil and cleaner from your fabric. Another benefit is the larger dual chamber capacity. Multiple trips to throw out bad water against a large cleanup is not my idea of a good time. The only down side to this machine is the size of the suction tool, but a steam feature and high capacity make the tool width a non-issue.
Fabric Protectors
If you ask me, fabric protectors are a wholly underutilized commodity. So many stains could be cleaned before they even start with these products in use. One caveat…this allows your fabric to repel water, not turn your fabric waterproof. What these products do specifically is buy you time to clean before the liquid breaks through the protector’s suspended layer. When applying any of these products, it is so important to let them cure, usually for 24 hours. Also, there are more powerful options out there, but I recommend they be applied by a professional. Fabric Protectors are not recommended for leather goods.
- Excellent fabric protection at 80% effective after 2 years
- A gentle mist is all that is necessary
- Non-toxic, solvent-based
- Hydrophobic technology creates an ultra-thin layer.
- Odor-free.
- Safe for use on all upholstery but leather.
- Non-aerosol, non-flammable.
- 30-45 day recommended application.
- Non-flammable, water-based protectant.
- Clear and odorless.
- Compatible for indoor and outdoor furniture alike.
Why is Vector Fabric Protector my Top Choice
Just like with cleaners, there are so many options regarding fabric protectors. The one thing that helps me decide the best protector is the amount of time the protector remains on the fabric. Vector Fabric Protector is still present on the fabric 2 years after application with 80% strength. Although more expensive, the length of time Vectra remains useful is much more impressive than the less expensive TriNova which gives only about 45 days of protection.
A close second place for me is RepelWell. RepelWell boasts an impressive 2 years of efficient use per application. While less expensive, it is also less volume.
Both of these protectors will give you great results when used properly. RepelWell is a water-based product, so the negative attributes of a solvent-based protector, like flammability and environmental impact, are kept in check.
Vectra does contain a solvent, but is designed to evaporate away as it dries. The solvent allows the protector to get between the strands of the woven fibers, instead of simply protecting the outside of the thread.
Conclusion
Staining and soiling are never fun problems to solve. I’d say the worst part of the process is the uncertainty of the outcome. When your arsenal is improved to react with soil, improve application and extraction, and put your upholstery or carpet in a position to resist future stains, your fabric will reward you with a longer brighter life.