Best Upholstery Steam Cleaner: Guide to Choosing

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best upholstery steam cleaner reviews

Sometimes people do not notice how many things in their home have upholstery that is so difficult and uncomfortable to clean. There are many different manual devices to do that but the only right solution is to purchase the best upholstery steam cleaner. It has multiple benefits over a manual clean and will make the upholstery clean a real pleasure.

Why is it preferable to clean upholstery with steam? The first and the most important reason to do that is the fact that high water temperature kills the biggest part of bacteria and detrimental microorganisms. In addition, you gather not only dust located at the upholstery exterior but also dirt inside it. Modern steam clean devices have a powerful sucking feature that allows gathering almost 100% of all the debris and dust as well as disinfect the surface with steam. As a result, you get a perfectly clean area easily and quickly.

So, see a cool selection of proven products.

See our selection of the best product!

Top Upholstery Steam Cleaner in 2024

It goes without saying that steam clean devices are suitable not only for upholstery. In most cases, there is a special tool used, but you can take advantage of all other functions offered by these versatile cleaners as well, so choose the carpet and furniture steam cleaner from the leading manufacturers to enjoy this process on a daily basis.

ImageProduct
#1. BISSELL 14259
  • Size - 8.2 x 17.2 x 12.5inches
  • Weight - 11.6 pounds
  • Cord length - 15 ft.
Editor’s Choice
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#2. Hoover FH50150
  • Size - 20.8 x 13.9 x 22.2 inches
  • Weight - 18.1 pounds
  • Upholstery tool - Yes
  • Cord length - 20 ft.
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#3. Hoover F7412900
  • Size - 20.2 x 15.8 x 29.2 inches
  • Weight - 26.9 pounds
  • Upholstery tool - Yes
  • Cord length - 20 ft.
  • Clean Water Capacity - 1 Gallons
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#4. Bissell Big Green 86T3
  • Size - 20.5 x 11 x 42.2 inches
  • Weight - 52.5 pounds
  • Cord length - 25 ft.
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#5. Rug Doctor
  • Size - 22.8 x 14.2 x 28 inches
  • Weight - 37.4 pounds
  • Upholstery tool - Yes
  • Cord length - 28 ft.
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#6. Bissell 2694
  • Size – 6.5 x 12x 14.5 inches
  • Weight – 11.9 pounds
  • Cord length – 15 ft.
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1. BISSELL Little Green ProHeat 14259 – Superb handheld portable steam cleaner for upholstery

best portable upholstery steam cleaner reviews

Bissell brand has offered many decent steam clean products in the market and this ProHeat green cleaner is the among compact and portable washers.

Despite quite an ergonomic design, it offers a great cleaning experience. You can spray the water on any stain or spot and suck all of them immediately. Tough and old dirt can be easily removed if you turn on the water heater to soak the stain with hot water. It is capable of heating the water up to 25 degrees hotter from its initial temperature, so if you add warm water, the efficacy of the washer will be much higher.

You can entrust this strong machine with any type of cleaning on any surface. It is extremely efficient on upholstery, carpets, stairs, car interior, and many other places.

There are two tanks to keep dirty and clean water separately so you can use it for a long time without a necessity to change the water. At the same time, tanks are easy to fill, pour into, clean and carry thanks to a comfortable handle.

The steam clean machine is easy to store as it has all its tools on board. There is a Tough Stain Tool and Spraying Crevice Tool included. They are adjusted to the machine with a flexible hose to operate easily.

Interesting Benefits

This little monster weighs only 14.2 pounds, has a 15-feet power cord a 1-year limited warranty from the manufacturer. There is a 30-day satisfaction guarantee to understand if this mighty sucking cleaner is the thing you wanted.

Pros
  • Comfortable to store;
  • Portable and lightweight;
  • Perfect to clean up fast;
  • Easy to use;
  • Versatile;
  • Interesting design;
  • Perfectly heating water to the desired temperature;
  • Excellent effectiveness.

Cons
  • A sprayer drips.

Verdict

It is useless to wait for super power from a portable washer but this example is a great small steam cleaner for a couch or car interior. Rather portable and lightweight it can still heat the water for it to remove stain more effectively. One more great benefit is ease of storage together with all the tools adjusted. You can take it anywhere and have a good heated clean up without putting extra effort.

2. Hoover FH50150 – One of the perfect steam cleaners with upholstery attachments

steam cleaners with upholstery attachments reviews

It is a real pleasure to steam clean carpets and upholstery with this washer from Hoover brand. It combines excellent characteristics and is easy to operate, so is an indispensable helper around the house.

The steam clean washer is very lightweight though powerful. With the total weight of 18.1 pounds, it offers excellent heated cleaning. There is a DualV Nozzle making suction powerful and at the same time equal. Forget about the debris left under the edges of ordinary vacuum cleaner brushes. The hot air in this steam clean machine is applied directly and evenly, so even serious stains will diminish thanks to that. Moreover, any wet areas will dry out very quickly with the heating air too.

The washer has two separate tanks to contain clean and dirty water. Thanks to the Smart Tank system you can fill, empty or clean each of them easily without touching any debris. There is a quick pour spout in the 1-gallon recovery tank. Use of detergents in this washer is a real pleasure as there is an Automatic Detergent Mixing system for better efficacy.

Features and benefits

The main characteristic is the steam clean device that makes is so effective is 360° SpinScrub Brush system. It is capable of scrubbing any tough dirt carefully and gently not to damage carpet or upholstery fibers. There is also a rinse mode to continue cleaning with a pure brush.

The handle of the steam clean device is very comfortable and easy to access. You can use one of four different handles possessed by the unit for better transportation.

There are also three more important tools including crevice, stair and upholstery tool with the dimensions of 1.7 × 4.5 × 4.5 inches. They are adjusted to an 8-inch hose making even hard-to-reach areas accessible. It is especially important for furniture that has multiple bends and angles.

The manufacturer provides a 2-year warranty.

Pros
  • Highly efficient;
  • Lightweight;
  • Easy assembly and use;
  • Removes even old stains;
  • Maneuverable;
  • Comfortable to store.

Cons
  • May leak.

Verdict

It does not matter what you are going to steam clean with this Hoover, but be confident to get perfect results. The device is really great and professionally made. It is not surprising to see plastic parts in the modern cleaners but plastic can be also different. Fortunately, this steamer has excellent quality and efficacy. In addition, you are deprived of the necessity to touch dirty water or carry a heavy washer in your hands. Simple in operation this floor and furniture steam cleaner is worth your attention and money.

3. Hoover F7412900 – Super cleaner for upholstery fabric

cleaner for upholstery fabric reviews

You may wonder how a steam clean machine without an appropriate tool can be an excellent example for cleaning upholstery. However, it is not obligatory to get any additional tools if the main brush works perfectly as in this Hoover model.

This steamer is characterized by the presence of a unique 360° rotating SpinScrub Brush that leaves no debris even if it has stuck to the floor. The brush is removable and can be cleaned thoroughly separately from the whole machine. Its rotation during work allows improving efficacy and removing debris at different angles. In addition, you can control the speed of brush rotation preferring normal or gentle cleaning.

There is a powerful 12-amp motor that is responsible not only for brush rotation but also heating. Clean and dirty water are located in two different tanks that can be easily cleaned. You will also fill the tank rather quickly under any tap.

The washer nozzle is 11.25 inches wide that is enough for quick cleaning an average room.

Clean Surge system is highly effective on dry and old stains as by pressing a trigger you can add extra detergent and cope with it.

Interesting Features

What makes this model perfect for upholstery? It is the SpinScrub Powered Hand tool that can access even the most difficult-to-reach areas. An 8-feet stretch hose makes this reach even more extended and comfortable.

The steam clean washer has several more benefits: it is free of belts, has a 1-year limited warranty and has a 16-ounce detergent bottle included.

Pros
  • Easy to use;
  • Powerful suction;
  • Effective in removing spots and stains;
  • Lightweight;
  • Excellent characteristics and quality;
  • Durable.

Cons
  • If not to run the cleaner dry at the end, some detergent gets solidified and difficult to remove then;
  • To pick up more water, you need to move very slowly or it will stay on.

Verdict

You can hardly find an excellent example but still, you can get one of the top-rated upholstery cleaning machines. This Hoover steam clean machine works wonderfully even without a special upholstery tool. A rather wide nozzle, a hose of the average length and a SpinScrub powered hand tool do their job perfectly especially in combination with the efficient detergent included. A worthy product to clean easily and without the mess.

4. Bissell Big Green 86T3 – Amazing and powerful handheld carpet and upholstery cleaner

review powerful handheld carpet and upholstery cleaner

It is always wonderful to entrust a professional with some work. This big green steam clean machine is undoubtedly professional and reliable. Bissell brand has created a good alternative to rental cleaners as this model combines impressive characteristics.

The carpet cleaner features a powerful motor that guarantees awesome old dirt suction. There is an extra-large DirtLifter PowerBrush that can cope with embedded dirt without much effort. The machine can clean both forward and backward to minimize the clean time and making the surface dry quicker.

The steam cleaner for microfiber couch has two large tanks that keep dirty and clean water apart. They are easy to fill, clean and get rid of dirty water without a necessity to touch it.

The steam clean device is equipped with Tough Stain tool (6 inches) that is adjusted to the machine with a 9-feet hose. You can spray water pressing a single button and immediately remove it in the difficult-to-reach areas and washing upholstery.

Useful Features

This machine guarantees a heavy-duty deep clean for everyone who wants to see the surfaces shining from being tidy. A 25-feet cord length allows cleaning even quite spacious rooms without a necessity to switch to another socket.

Bissell products have already deserved customer trust within many years of their existence and this steam clean example is among the steam cleaners for upholstery cleaning too. It is made from reliable and durable materials to guarantee a sturdy and anti-tip design. At the same time, it is quite a big washer that is impossible to call lightweight too – 52.5 pounds is its total weight without water. The manufacturer also gives a 5-year product warranty.

Pros
  • Top-notch quality;
  • Easy to use;
  • Incredibly effective;
  • Long-lasting;
  • Cleans in two opposite sides;
  • Long power cord.

Cons
  • Flow indicators can fail after long use.

Verdict

Being one of the top-rated steam clean models this carpet and upholstery washer is absolutely professional. It is explained by rather sizable water tanks, powerful and huge brush as well as great weight. At the same time, if you decided to clean the sofa with steam cleaner it is impossible to question its efficacy if combined with the professional formula detergent. It is a must-have for people with pets as after the first clean you will forget that this fluffy family member has ever lived with you.

5. Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner – A perfect answer to the question ‘what is a good upholstery cleaner?’

good upholstery cleaner reviews

It is not easy to find a cleaning machine that will combine excellent characteristics, durability and powerful suction. This Rug Doctor model differs from any other examples as it features up to 75% of better suction than other washers. Produced by the company with a 40-year history it is a high-quality product with perfect performance.

The washer not only removes dirt and stains but also polishes the carpet thanks to the innovative cleaning technology. With the cleaning path of 12 inches wide and the presence of side bristles, you get an immediate effect after the first path. There are Dual Cross Action Brushes that both clean and groom the carpet. The first one is an oscillating scrubbing brush with 2 bristle rows and the second one is a rotating one with 10 bristle rows. Another advantage is a Super Boost Spray setting to help you get rid of the most serious stains.

The model has two separate tanks for both clean and dirty water. The capacity of each tank is 1.1 gallon while an easy open tank cap makes it easy to fill and empty.

It is a perfect home cleaner for furniture as it includes an effective upholstery tool adjusted to the cleaner with a 7.7-feet flexible hose.

The steam clean model is also easy to store and use as a tool caddy is removable and a handle can be collapsed for ergonomic storage.

Interesting Characteristics

The utmost efficacy of the cleaner is confirmed by The Carpet and Rug Institute. The class cleaning performance of this cleaner was rated Gold by the organization.

With such unsurpassed characteristics, the machine weighs only 37.4 pounds and is highly maneuverable and easy to use.

Pros
  • Feels sturdy;
  • Cleans upholstery and carpets perfectly;
  • Easy to use;
  • Comfortable to store;
  • Powerful;
  • Interesting design

Cons
  • Does not heat water;
  • Hard to keep it clean.

Verdict

Though it is not a home steam cleaner for furniture its efficacy is unquestionable. You will love it thanks to its wonderful work and ease of use. Even old and tough stains are not a problem for the washer as its suction power is really unbelievable. There is a comfortable-to-use upholstery tool with a flexible hose so it will make its cleaning pleasant and effortless.

6. Bissell 2694: Compact, Handy Steam Cleaner

handy steam cleaner

With pets, your carpets and upholstery might look and smell dubious. Unexpected messes spoil them. Accidents might happen on your new couch, bed or carpet. Have you got little kids? Don’t blame them on repeated stains. Remove messes with handy carpet cleaner by Bissell.

ProHeat model is compact. Its collection tank and reservoir capacities are not outstanding. Each of them makes 37 ounces, so it’s a little machine. Motor power is rather decent too. 2.3 amps fall on the lower end of portable spot cleaners. It still does the job.

It removes spots and tough stains. ProHeat steamer is easy to use and store. It’s beneficially lightweight. Plastic case comes with thick looped handle. So, you get a firm grip to carry it upstairs. Upholstery and auto interior cleaning is possible. Compact machine’s size and perfect portability let you solve these tasks.

Useful Features

2 wide and efficient cleaning tools are available. One of them removes deep stains efficiently. It features bristles and rubber solution injectors. The other brush is smaller, 3-inches-wide. It works on variety of messes, using 3 rows of bristles. 4.5-inch long hose is self-cleaning. It’s still a bit short, making this machine a bit awkward to maneuver.

SpotClean ProHeat model stands out by HeatWave technology. It keeps tap water hot, enabling fast cleaning and drying.

Pros
  • compact;
  • lightweight;
  • handy grip;
  • easy to use and store;
  • fast and efficient.

Cons
  • short hose limits maneuverability;
  • water runs fast.

Verdict

I recommend ProHeat carpet cleaner by Bissell for small spaces. Use it in a studio or one-bedroom house. It works on car interior and furniture upholstery. 2694 machine is handy, easy to use and pretty powerful. Thanks to advanced solution injectors, it provides efficient deep-cleaning.

Buyer’s Guide: How To Choose the Top Home Upholstery Steam Cleaner

best carpet and upholstery steam cleaner reviews

Upholstery is referred to as the most difficult to clean areas around the house, so an efficient and powerful assistant is a necessity to make this duty a pleasure.

The better way to make upholstery look tidy and cared is to steam clean it regularly. You may wonder how to clean the couch with a steam cleaner. It is as simple as using a vacuum or iron.

However, the variety of steam clean machines in the market may puzzle even the most experienced buyers.
Here are some tips on how to choose the right steam clean model to get the utmost satisfaction from cleaning.

Define the type of steam cleaner required

There are handheld, mop, cylinder, compact and professional steam clean products with different levels of efficacy. The choice of steam clean machine type depends on the goals set for it. As a mop washer will not be suitable for upholstery, for example. While other types may clean many other surfaces too.

1. Dimensions and weight

It is important to consider if you are going to use it only for upholstery or for other surfaces too. You can use a steam washer to clean floors, car interiors, clothes. There are portable and lightweight examples as well as heavy machines on wheels that will substitute a vacuum, steam clean device and a water and detergent repellent.

2. Size of the water tank(s)

There are cleaners with a single tank to repel water and models with two tanks to repel and suck it back with dirt. Most of the steam clean machines have a tank of about 1-gallon capacity. However, there are variants that can substitute professional cleaning machines and have a much bigger tank capacity.

3. Noise

Unfortunately, almost every device with a motor produces some noise. If you do not have small children or pets that might be afraid of loud noises, and you are ready to tolerate them, you may not consider this feature of stew clean machines. But if you are sensitive to any noise, look for more silent examples.

4. Ease of use

You can hardly find a washer that is difficult to use. In general, there is one or a couple of buttons to press and switch on the motor. But you must also consider how to assemble and disassemble it, clean its parts, fill and empty tanks etc. Some models have many different tools and brushes that require regular cleaning for good functioning, so their quality must be high to withstand these loads.

5. Temperature

All steam clean products heat the water contained in it to different temperature levels. Sometimes it may be a rather low temperature that does not produce steam, only warm water to spray. Such cleaners have a lower efficacy and would require more time to gather all the dirt. With high temperature steam, you can remove stains with less effort and time spent.

Attachments and accessories

It is not surprising to see multiple tools that can be adjusted to the steam clean machine. The most popular ones are an upholstery and crevice to old, but you can also find many other tools that can be attached with a help of a hose or without it.

Conclusion

Steam cleaning is one of the easiest ways to make carpets and furniture upholstery get an absolutely new refreshed look. However, the best effective steam clean is available only using quality machines created for this purpose.

You can remove different spots and stains, disinfect the surface after pets or their products. Furthermore, revive things that seemed to lose their appealing look forever. This washer is a necessity for families with kids and pets. As well as everyone who enjoys living in a tidy environment.

Further Reading

9 thoughts on “Best Upholstery Steam Cleaner: Guide to Choosing”

  1. I have come to find that even the best models will leak from time to time so if you are worried about that as a con from any of these, don’t consider it a factor in your choice. Just make sure you put on the tanks properly and minimal to no leaking should occur. With that being said, the Hoover at the top is hands down the best option on this list if you are serious about getting your carpeting clean.

  2. Which would be best for mixed flooring? I have carpet, wood, and throw rugs in my home. I want to be able to clean everything with one unit. I know upholstery cleaners are generally just for carpeting but I need one that can function on rugs as well as hardwood if such a thing exists.

  3. I spent many years using the same steam cleaner. It was a very old model from the early ’90s. My grandmother bought it, and then my mother took it over, and she gave it to me when she got wood flooring put in. After many uses, it finally quit working on me so I am trying to find a good replacement. I am going to research your suggestions here a bit more and see if I can settle on one.

  4. I am not sure how I ended up looking for upholstery steam cleaners online but here I am! I have never owned one in my life. My sister got one for Christmas last year from her husband and I was blown away by what it did for her carpeting. I have not thought of it since but now I find myself looking at several models. Thanks for the information on these, I may just buy one at the end of this week.

  5. I had no idea there were smaller options! That Little Green ProHeat sounds perfect for me. I don’t have carpeted flooring but have large area rugs and it would be nice to be able to clean them more deeply once a week. I think I will order one of these right now.

  6. I am having trouble finding the right kind of carpet cleaner. My son has pretty bad allergies and my doctor recommended getting an upholstery cleaner to keep the carpeting in our home and especially in his bedroom extra clean but I can’t seem to find one with a major selling point for severe allergies. Anyone with major allergies know which from this list is best?

  7. My wife and I recently moved into our first home together. Prior to this, we were renters. A lot of what we have right now in terms of appliances and cleaning tools are hand-me-downs. The upholstery cleaner from her mother is just not cutting it. We ended up donating it and are shopping around. Just wanted to say I appreciate the list. Very helpful.

  8. My mother always tries to sell me on Hoover products so I am not shocked to see one take the 1st place spot on this list. My only concern with Hoover products is that when they break, they are not cheap to repair. I had a nice Hoover vac for maybe 3 years and suddenly it stopped working. Found out one of my kids picked up playdough and other things with it and it was severely jammed up. Long story short, it cost nearly $100 to fix!

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