Whether it’s muddy pawprints from pets, pen markings from the kids, or even an accidental wine spillage from that dinner party last week, over time, your couch will accumulate a lot of stains and build-up of dirt.
Whilst you may think vacuuming and spot treating with a clean cloth and chemical product does the trick at keeping everything clean, more stubborn stains and deeper dirt and bacteria can still be laying on the surface.
Steam cleaning your couch doesn’t just help keep it looking in great condition, but it may also eliminate harmful bacteria, pet dander, or even dust that’s lingering on it that could be a risk to your health.
Steam cleaning your couch will also prolong its life, saving you money from going out and buying a new couch once a few stains appear.
So if you’re looking for a quality steam cleaner to keep your couch looking great then keep on reading.
OUR TOP PICK
Our top pick for the best steam cleaner for the couch is the Little Green upholstery cleaner from Bissell that has a large 48-ounce water tank capacity to keep refills to a minimum so you can clean your couch as quickly as possible.
The cleaner has a strong spray and powerful suction to remove even the toughest stains on your couch and will also ensure it doesn’t leave the material too wet.
The Bissell model only weighs 9.6lbs which means transporting it around your home shouldn't be a problem. It also comes with a 15-foot cord to make it easier to reach your couch from various outlets in your home without having to get out the extension cord each time.
The little green cleaner is also equipped with a convenient carry handle to make it easy to transfer it to empty or refill the water tank without having to touch the hot sides of the design.
The cleanser is easy to store under the sink out of the way without taking up too much room in your home. You even get a trial-sized spot and stain treatment with your purchase which will help loosen deeper soils and stains on your couch.
You’ll also benefit from the Bissell 1-year warranty when you buy this model, so if anything should go wrong, then you’ll hopefully be covered.
Pros
- 48-ounce water tank - Minimizes need for refills
- 1-year warranty - Covers you for defects or breakdowns
- 15-foot cable - May not need an extension cord
- Lightweight and compact design - Easy to transport and store through your home
Cons
- Gasket in water tank gets dirty - Will need to be regularly cleaned
EDITORS CHOICE
Another great quality Bissell steam cleaner is this Spot Clean Professional model that offers a deep clean for your couch and other upholstery items in your home. As the name says, when used properly you can achieve professional results for a fraction of the price.
The Spot Clean Professional comes with a 3” tough stain tool that you can use to scrub and suction stubborn stains and also a 6” stair tool which makes it easier to clean wider areas like your couch, or even your stairs in less time.
The model only weighs 13lbs and is equipped with an easy-to-carry handle to help you transport around your home.
Despite its lightweight and compact design, this model has a water tank capacity of 96oz, so you’ll have minimal trips to refill the water tank if any when using this on your couch.
You’ll benefit from the generous 20-foot power cord which will give you more flexibility of where you can use your portable cleaner in your home and also prevent you from having to get out an extension cord.
For best results, you should use a quality upholstery cleaning solution in the tank for more stubborn stains such as coffee or red wine.
Bissel included a bottle of Pro Max clean solution with this model which should last you a few cleaning sessions should you follow the instructions correctly.
Pros
- Two attachments included - Provides more versatile use
- 20-foot power cord - Offers more flexibility when using it around a room
- 96oz water tank capacity - Minimal refills if any at all
- Only weighs 13lbs - Easy to carry to your couch
Cons
- The hose is a bit flimsy - Being rough can cause it to crack or snap
BEST VALUE
Next up is this Hoover portable upholstery clean that can also be used to clean your carpets and leave them looking brand new.
The lightweight design allows this Hoover model to be completely portable allowing you to use it both indoors and outdoors to clean car seats.
This hoover spot cleaner is so convenient to use in areas all over your home, but especially your couch due to the 5-foot cleaning hose which makes it easier to reach spots and stains with ease.
It’s equipped with self-cleaning technology that flushes the hose after each use to remove the build-up of dirt and bacteria so you’ll always be left with a clean couch. The self-cleaning technology will also minimize odors, so you won’t have to go in with a chemical cleaner afterward.
The implementation of the dual-tank technology also makes it more convenient to fill, empty, and rinse the tanks as the clean and dirty water will be completely separate.
The dirty water tank has a capacity of 36 ounces, so you may be required to do some emptying and refilling if your couch is particularly large or if you’re going to use it for your carpets.
Hoover is also generous enough to provide some sample cleaning solutions with this model for you to try, so you’ll be able to remove even the most stubborn stains on your couch without vigorous scrubbing.
Pros
- Free samples included - No need to go buy additional cleaning solution
- Self-cleaning technology - No need to clean out the hose afterward
- 5-foot cleaning hose - Makes cleaner easier and more comfortable
Cons
- 36-ounce water tank capacity - May require some refills during cleaning
RUNNER UP
Our best budget recommendation is this Kiato handheld steam cleaner that comes with 10 additional accessories to make the most out of using this model around your home.
The fabric cleaning accessory is the best one for cleaning couches to disinfect them and also effectively get rid of dirt and stain build-up on the surface.
The Kiato model provides 8 minutes of continuous spraying with no need for intervals in between to build up steam pressure as other models need.
This large output of steam will allow you to clean couches and other upholstery in your home effectively in minimal time with minimal effort.
The steam cleaner can reach temperatures of 221 degrees Fahrenheit which is great to get an effective clean, however, you’ll want to make sure your couch won’t be damaged if you use this model working at that temperature.
It comes with a 16.4-foot power cord so you can work distantly around the room without needing to plug into an extension outlet.
One of the biggest drawbacks of this steam cleaner is the water tank capacity which is only 8.7 ounces which means refills will be necessary, especially if you’re giving your couch a deep clean.
This Kiato model can be a little difficult to figure out how to use in the beginning and if you tilt the steamer more than 45 degrees then you will spill the water so you’ll need to be careful.
Pros
- Reaches a high temperature - Provides effective cleaning and disinfecting
- Long power cord - This allows you to work from a good distance from the outlet
- 10 accessories included - Offers versatile use indoors and outdoors
Cons
- Small tank capacity - Regular refills required
RUNNER UP
If you’re looking for a steam cleaner for your couch that provides easy portability and ultimate convenience, then look no further than this Pet Stain Eraser PowerBrush from Bissell that's primarily designed for keeping your hope stain-free whilst living with pets.
This cordless machine runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery so you won’t have to worry about plugging into the nearest outlet or trying to find an extension lead every time you use it.
However, you will need to remember to recharge your PowerBrush after each time you use it. It only takes around 4 hours to charge and will last about 20-30 minutes when fully charged.
It weighs only 4.4lb so it’ll be no bother trying to handle and won’t be too heavy for you to hold and use whilst trying to clean your couch.
The tank capacity is only 8lbs, which is slightly disappointing, but for a handheld cleaner, you can’t exactly complain. However, you should expect to refill the water tank regularly when trying to deep clean your couch.
The rotating power brush works deep into your carpet and couch fabric to lift and remove stubborn stains so there will be no scrubbing required on your behalf.
Pros
- Rotating power brush head - Cleans effectively without any scrubbing
- Lightweight design - Makes it easy to hold and clean with one hand
- Cordless design - No need to find an outlet to plug into
Cons
- Small water tank capacity - Refills will be inevitable
Best Steam Cleaner For Couch Buying Guide
Size (Portability)
The size of the steam cleaner you choose should depend on how much you intend to use it and also the location of your couches in your home.
If you have a large home with numerous couches that you’d like to steam clean every week or so, then a more small modern one will be less inconvenient to carry each time.
However, if you only plan to steam clean your couches every couple of months, then you might not mind lugging a larger steam cleaner around your home each time.
Ensure to take a look at the weight of the model you plan on buying and see if that is a weight you’ll be able to comfortably carry to your couch and also handle when cleaning your couch.
Cord Length
Another important thing to consider is that the cord length on the cleaner you’re using is long enough for you to be able to use it with your couch.
Of course, you could use an extension cord with your steam cleaner if the cord isn’t long enough to reach the outlet, but that’ll require you having to find an extension cord each time you want to steam your couch.
Attachments
A steam cleaner should come with many attachments to make it easier to reach more difficult areas of your couch like the armrests of the crevices where the cushions will meet the base of the couch. The more attachments your steamer has, the easier it will probably be to clean your couch.
Water Tank Capacity
Unless you want to be going back and forth to fill the water tank up on your steam cleaner, then you’ll need to find one with a large enough capacity that will allow you to do the job you need without refills.
If you only plan to use the steam cleaner for spot treatments on your couch (e.g red wine, coffee, or pet spillages) then you may only need a 30-ounce water tank capacity to carry out the task. However, if you plan on steaming the entire couch, then you’ll need a large capacity of around 50 punches or more.
Warm-Up Time
Depending on how patient you are, you might want to seek out a steam cleaner that has a very minimal warm-up time so you won’t have to wait around before you can use your steam cleaner.
Most steam cleaners will take around 7-15 minutes depending on the water tank capacity and model of the cleaner and it’ll be impossible to find one that’s ready to use instantly.
If you do plan on steaming a whole couch, then you’ll probably need to refill your steamer at least once during the process which means you’ll have to wait around for it to heat up again to resume steaming.
Heat
You may need to find a steam cleaner that has various temperature settings as some couches will have a maximum temperature that you can use on them with a steam cleaner. Take a look at the label on your couch to see what it is and then you’ll be able to work out what steam cleaner would be most suitable.
How Effective Is It?
There’s no point in buying a steam cleaner if it’s not going to do the job, but don’t worry as all our 5 recommendations in the list above work efficiently at cleaning couches.
However, if you’re not opting for one of the options above, make sure to check out the reviews or do further research to see what customers have said regarding the effectiveness of the steam cleaner.
Versatility
Some steam cleaners are versatile and can be used on upholstery or even to steam the wooden floors around your home. If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, look out for a multi-use steam cleaner that can be used on both your couch and other areas of your home.
Best Steam Cleaner For Couch - FAQ's
How Do You Steam Clean A Couch Yourself?
To get the best possible results from steam cleaning your couch, you’ll want to carry out some additional steps before you begin steaming it.
- Remove throws, blankets, or cushions (wash them or choose to steam them)
- Vacuum the couch and any cushions you plan to steam
- Add a spot treatment to any stains on the couch
- Use a couch conditioner if it requires it
- Begin steaming your couch, cushions, and blankets
- Allow your couch enough time to dry before sitting on it
What Do Professionals Use To Clean Couches?
Professional cleaners may use commercial steam cleaners for cleaning your couch in your home as well as using some shampoo and upholster conditioner to get your furniture as clean as possible whilst also retaining the condition.
How Much Does A Professional Charge To Steam Clean A Couch?
Professionals will take a longer time and probably carry out more steps than you would when it comes to steam cleaning a couch, hence the average price of around $150 each time. This will cover the cost of labor as well as all the cleaning products that they may use on your couch.
