Upholstery Cleaners: Best Ways to Clean Sofas and Fabric Furniture at Home

When you’re dealing with a stained or smelly sofa, upholstery cleaners, products or methods designed to remove dirt, odors, and stains from fabric furniture. Also known as fabric cleaners, they’re not just for professional services—you can do a deep clean yourself with things you already have in the cupboard. Most people think you need special tools or expensive sprays, but the truth is, many upholstery cleaners on store shelves are just diluted versions of what works at home—vinegar, baking soda, and even dish soap.

It’s not just about removing coffee spills or pet accidents. The real goal is to protect the fabric’s fibers, stop odors from setting in, and avoid damage from the wrong chemicals. That’s why knowing your fabric code (W, S, WS, or X) matters more than the brand of cleaner you pick. A Dawn dish soap, a mild, grease-cutting detergent commonly used in kitchens. Also known as liquid dish detergent, it’s one of the most trusted tools for water-safe upholstery works better than most commercial sprays when mixed right. And if your sofa smells like old sweat or pet urine, baking soda, a natural odor absorber and mild abrasive. Also known as sodium bicarbonate, it’s been used for decades to freshen carpets, mattresses, and sofas without harsh fumes is your best friend—even if you leave it on overnight.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just a list of products. It’s a practical guide to what actually works: how to tackle stubborn stains without wrecking your couch, why some DIY mixes fail, and when it’s smarter to call in a pro. You’ll see real methods tested on real furniture—no fluff, no marketing hype. Whether you’re dealing with a kid’s juice spill, a dog that shed all over the armrest, or just a sofa that’s lost its freshness, the posts here give you the exact steps, ratios, and warnings you need to get it right the first time.