Here’s how a cleaning experts says you should be cleaning your couch — and how often

We don’t always have the answers, but we have some people on speed dial who do — which is why we present to you our series FYI where we have experts explain if lip balm is actually bad, how often you should wash your hair and more.

If you’re anything like me, then most days you probably spend more time relaxing on your couch than your bed. And since I’ve written guides on bedding and how to clean your mattress and the best way to clean pillows, it only seemed natural to figure out how to clean a couch. After all, it comes in contact with several articles of clothing, natural body oils and numerous fallen food crumbs. Plus, if you’re a pet owner, then pet dander and other substances throw a wrench into any plans of keeping your once spotless couch clean.

To find the best way to clean a couch, and the most effective products to get the job done, I spoke with cleaning experts. I also considered cleaning products my NBC Select staff members and I swear by, as well as ones that are highly rated.

SKIP AHEAD Types of couches | How to clean a couch | Why trust NBC Select?

Related

select

selectHow to choose the best handheld vacuum, no matter your mess

Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.

All of the products below have at least a 4-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon. Some of them are also direct recommendations from our experts.

Top-rated products for cleaning a couch

Bissell Little Green Multipurpose Upholstery Cleaner

$115.00

$123.59

Amazon

Resolve Professional Strength Spot and Stain Cleaner

$8.98

Amazon

Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner

$149.78

Amazon

Leather Honey Leather Conditioner

$16.99

$27.99

Amazon

Bissell Woolite Advantage Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner

$17.99

$19.79

Amazon

While many couches are built in similar ways, they’re usually upholstered with some sort of synthetic or natural fabric, such as cotton. Alternatively, many couches come upholstered with either genuine or faux leather. The type of fabric the couch is covered in greatly influences how to clean it without damaging it.

• Fabric-upholstered couches: Fabric-upholstered couches typically come covered in materials like cotton, linen, suede, chenille or a blend. If you ever owned both fabric and leather furniture, then you know these types of couches tend to stain more easily because they’re more absorbent, so an accidental spill of a drink is particularly difficult to get out. While it depends on the manufacturer’s care instructions, you can often treat fabric-upholstered couches similarly to other forms of upholstery (think curtains or chair cushions) and other household fabrics (bedding and towels). “For fabric [couches], vacuum regularly, then spot-clean stains using a fabric-safe cleaner or a mix of mild detergent and water,” says Jennifer Rodriguez, chief hygiene officer at ProHousekeepers. “Steam cleaners can be great for deep cleaning. Always test in an inconspicuous area first.”
• Leather-upholstered couches: While fabric-upholstered couches are popular today, some people prefer the look and durability of a leather upholstered couch. Leather tends to be less permeable, meaning that a few drops of spilled coffee is less likely to stain or soak into the couch the way it would on a fabric-upholstered couch. Like with other leather accessories and furniture, you can get both genuine and faux leather couches, which means you can sometimes use leather cleaners (sometimes called leather conditioners) to clean them. “A leather cleaner works best, followed by a conditioner to keep the material supple,” says Rodriguez. “Avoid using anything abrasive or alcohol-based, as it can dry out or damage the leather.”

Always read the care instructions that come with your couch before using anything beyond water and mild detergent. Plus, consider testing a small inconspicuous area of your couch and waiting until the next day, before using a product on the entire couch, says Rodriguez.

1. Start by removing the cushions from the couch. Vacuum the base of the couch including in between any crevices with the upholstery attachment from either a handheld vacuum or the handheld attachment from an upright or cordless vacuum.
2. Vacuum the surface of each couch cushion, including both the removable and non-removable ones.
3. Use a fabric or upholstery spray, such as Resolve Professional Strength Spot and Stain Cleaner, to clean visible stains on the couch, such as food, drink or ink stains. Spray the stain (some instructions may say to spray the cloth instead of the stain), let it sit for about a few minutes, and then use a microfiber cloth or extra-soft bristle upholstery or fabric cleaning brush. Gently scrub the stain in circular or back and forth motions, making sure to not apply too much pressure.
4. You can also make a homemade cleaning spray by adding water and a few drops of mild dish detergent, such as Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, to a spray bottle and using the method above.
5. Alternatively, use an upholstery cleaning appliance like the Bissell Little Green Upholstery Cleaner (a reader favorite), which NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio uses to clean up after her dog, Bella. Use the cleaning attachment to make multiple passes over the stain or all over the couch cushions and upholstery. The appliance also comes with a cleaning solution which also helps deodorize the couch.
6. Allow the couch or spots to dry completely in a ventilated room before adding any more excess moisture or steam cleaning. Use the upholstery attachment and cloth from the Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner to make a few passes over the couch cushions and upholstery.

1. Repeat steps one and two from above, making sure to remove any solid debris from the couch with a vacuum.
2. Use a microfiber cloth and a leather conditioner, like the Leather Honey Leather Conditioner, which comes recommended by Kadi Dulude, owner of cleaning company Wizard of Homes, to clean the leather couch cushions and overall upholstery. Apply or spray the conditioner on the cloth and use it to clean the couch cushions and buff in a circular motion.
3. Allow the excess moisture from the conditioner to evaporate and dry in a ventilated room.

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Jennifer Rodriguez is the chief hygiene officer at home cleaning services company ProHousekeepers.
• Kadi Dulude is the owner of home cleaning services company Wizard of Homes.

I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select. I regularly write stories on cleaning advice appliances with input from cleaning professionals. I used my own knowledge and experience as well as the guidance from our experts to recommend highly rated products for cleaning couches for this story.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.