Photographer: Brigid Arnott | Stylist: Lisa Hilton
Nothing feels better than sinking into a cosy couch after a long day. But with daily use, upholstery inevitably collects dirt, stains and odours — whether from pets, spills or everyday wear.
But what if we told you that keeping your furniture fresh and spotless doesn’t have to be a challenge? In fact, all you need to do is invest in an upholstery steam cleaner.
This appliance works like magic at lifting stubborn stains, eliminating germs and refreshing fabric without harsh chemicals.
To help you out, we’ve rounded up the best upholstery steam cleaners for every need, from heavy-duty appliances for deep cleaning to compact models for small spaces. No matter your budget, these top-rated picks will help restore your furniture to like-new condition.
2025’s TOP UPHOLSTERY STEAM CLEANERS
- Bissell little green portable spot & stain carpet cleaner, $229, Amazon (here’s why)
- Bissell SpotClean 36984, $243.03 (usually $269), Amazon (here’s why)
- Hoover CleanSlate SpotWasher carpet cleaner, $249, The Good Guys (here’s why)
The best upholstery steam cleaners to shop in Australia in 2025
01
Bissell SpotClean Turbo + Antibac
$379, Betta
Bissell is the go-to brand when it comes to upholstery cleaning — and the SpotClean Turbo + Antibac is their most powerful portable model (backed by many five-star reviews). The Heatwave Technology helps to maintain a constant water temperature throughout the cleaning process, while its super suction power and scrubbing action really digs deep so even the most embedded dirt and stubborn stains can be removed.
“Great for spots on chairs and great on carpet even high pile carpet,” one five-star customer wrote.
Another person confirmed, saying: “This little machine is amazing with the cleaning fluid it lifted stains that have been in the carpet for years and two professional cleans did not remove, I am impressed.”
Weight: 5.8kg
Power: 750W
Capacity: 2.8L clean tank, 2.2L dirty tank
Key features:
- Suitable for carpet and upholstery
- Long-reaching 6.7-metre power cord
- Comes with a selection of brushes and tools
- Uses antibacterial formula to control odour-causing bacteria
- Two-year warranty
Also available at:
- $449 from Amazon
- $447 from Appliances Online
02
Bissell SpotClean 36984
$243.03 (usually $269), Amazon
This compact and lightweight cleaning machine from Bissell easily tackles everyday messes, allowing you to get on with what’s more important. Its slimline design also lets you easily store it in your laundry or cleaning cupboard when not in use. But despite its petite size, it features a large 1.09-litre removable water tank so you can get to cleaning for a longer time without having to continuously empty and refill it.
“Such an easy-to-use system that worked a treat on my couch…amazing results,” commented one of the hundreds of five-star reviewers.
Weight: 3.86kg
Power: 330W
Capacity: 1L
Key features:
- Comes with Oxy Boost cleaning formula (236ml) and Spot & Stain formula (236ml)
- Included large and small tough stain tools
- Slim-line design
- 1.3m hose and 5m power cord
- Soft-grip handle for easy carrying
- Heatwave technology
- Two-year warranty
Also available at:
03
Hoover CleanSlate SpotWasher carpet cleaner
$249, The Good Guys
Hoover has served homeowners for decades, delivering sparkling results in the bathroom, bedroom and living spaces. So, when it comes to getting the mess off upholstery and carpets around the home, the award-winning CleanSlate Spot Cleaner model is your best bet.
You can clean large areas with fewer passes using the included WidePath tool, while hard-to-reach areas such as corners, crevices and baseboards can be cleaned with the Tightspot Tool. There’s no doubt every inch of your space will be left looking and smelling fresh.
“I bought this to clean rugs and cushions on outdoor furniture,” one five-star reviewer wrote. “It works well and I have no issues with it. You really get to see how dirty things are.”
Weight: 4.4kg
Capacity: 1.18L clean and 680ml dirty
Key features:
- Dual tank system cycling clean water
- Portable and lightweight design
- WidePath brush, TightSpot tool
- 2-in-1 spot and stain targeting tool
- 1.37m hose and 5.5m power cord
- Three-year warranty
Also available at:
- $259 from Catch.com.au
- $196.96 from Amazon
04
Bissell stain eraser turbo 2982F cordless portable spot cleaner
$199, Amazon
Power through once-unreachable stains with the convenience of cordless technology. This easy-to-clean tool features a high-power rotating brush head and powerful suction automation, delivering deep cleaning results for the car and home.
“Amazing little machine to quickly pull out and attack a spill,” one five-star customer admitted. “Owner of 3 indoor cats and 6 grandchildren under the age of eight, this machine is a must.”
Weight: 2kg
Power: 2000rpm
Capacity: 236ml
Key features:
- Battery-powered cordless cleaner with charging cable
- Up to 20 minutes run-time, 4.5 hours charge time
- Removable tank, brush roll and suction lens
- Tough stain Power Brush
- Comes with Oxy Boost (236ml) and Spot & Stain formula (236ml)
- Two-year warranty
Also available at:
- $139 (usually $179) from Catch.com.au
- $160 (usually $179) from Appliances Online
05
Bissell SpotClean HydroSteam 3689F
$469, Betta
Qualified cleaners and homebodies alike will appreciate the features of this compact Bissell HydroSteam. There’s hardly a surface this versatile model can’t tackle — whether it’s carpets, rugs, fabric upholstery, tiles, grout, sneakers or car interiors.
It’s equipped with a generous 1.9L clean water tank and a 1.5L dirty water tank, along with two interchangeable tool attachments and cleaning solutions, so you can get straight to work as soon as it arrives at your doorstep.
“It did exactly what I wanted it to do,” one five-star reviewer confirmed. “I am extremely pleased and can recommend this to anyone who needs to clean upholstery.”
Weight: 6kg
Power: 1100W
Capacity: 1.9L clean, 1.5L dirty
Key features:
- Multi-surface tool
- Included hydro-rinse-self-cleaning tool, and 8cm and 12cm tough stain tool
- Comes with Pet Stain and Odour formula (236ml) and Oxy Boost formula (236ml)
- Two-year warranty
Also available at:
- $449 from Bing Lee
- $499 from The Good Guys
- $440.04 (usually $499) from Amazon
Do steam cleaners really work on upholstery?
Steam cleaners are extremely effective when it comes to lifting stains and dirt from upholstery. There are a variety of cleaners available to shop, each ranging in form, with some better suited to upholstery than others. When deciding on the cleaner best suited to you and your home, it is important to take note of the inclusion of detergents. Though it is always nice to clear the bacteria as well as the dirt, depending on the material under cleaning, damage may appear.
Which is the best upholstery cleaner?
Any of the models mentioned in our roundup are the best choices when it comes to investing in an upholstery steam cleaner. However, when it comes to narrowing down to the best one for you, there are a few factors to consider, like your cleaning needs, budget and type of furniture you have.
- Type of upholstery steam cleaner: Do you need a handheld, canister or upright steam cleaner? Handheld steam cleaners are great for apartment living because they’re compact, portable and great for small cleaning jobs or spot treatments. Cansiter steam cleaners have large water tanks and stronger steam pressure for deep cleaning sofas, mattresses and carpets. Upright steam cleaners are best for full-room cleaning, often used for carpets but with attachments for upholstery.
- Steam power and temperature: Look for a model with high steam pressure and a temperature of at least 100 degrees Celcius to effectively remove stains, bacteria and allergens.
- Water tank capacity and heat-up time: A steam cleaner with a smaller tank (under 500ml) will heat up faster but require frequent refills. On the other hand, those with larger tanks (over 1L) allow for extended cleaning sessions but will take longer to heat up.
- Attachments and accessories: Ideally, your chosen steam cleaner should come with additional accessories like an upholstery brush, crevice tool and microfibre pads.
- Ease of use and portability: Consider the weight, cord length and ergonomics of a steam cleaner to ensure comfort and convenience while cleaning.
- Budget and rating: Reputable brands like Bissell and Hoover offer a great balance of price and performance. Make sure to read through reviews to check durability, effectiveness and real-work user experiences.
- Safety features: Added features like automatic shut-off, child locks and adjustable steam settings are essential to prevent overheating or accidental burns.
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