We Tested the Best Upholstery Steam Cleaners for Chemical-Free Sanitizing

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about We Tested the Best Upholstery Steam Cleaners for Chemical-Free Sanitizing and hope the blog can help you.

Freshen up your furniture with one of these excellent steam cleaners that sanitizes and deodorizes surfaces without harsh chemicals.

Editor’s Note: Testing for this article took place in late 2023 and these products remain our current top recommendations for 2024 until we revisit this category. Stay tuned for our 2024 updates.

Steam cleaners use pressurized steam from heated water to clean both soft and hard surfaces. This method requires zero cleaning solutions and chemicals, making it a preferred cleaning procedure for many health-conscious users, as well as those with sensitivities or allergies.

Steam cleaning lifts away dirt and grime from upholstery and other materials while killing germs, bacteria, and pathogens, leaving behind freshened and deodorized surfaces. To find the best upholstery steam cleaner, we tested a number of popular models that we found through extensive product research and used them to steam furniture, car interiors, throw pillows, and other household surfaces. We also put them through a stain test, evaluating how well each model removed six common household stains.

In addition to cleaning upholstery, steam cleaners also function well for sanitizing sealed floors, windows, tile, and other indoor and outdoor applications. Read on to learn about the best upholstery steam cleaner for your home and how we tested each model.

1. BEST OVERALL: Kiato Handheld Steam Cleaner
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Bissell Steam Shot Handheld Steam Cleaner & Sanitizer
3. BEST FOR CAR UPHOLSTERY: Wagner 925E SteamMachine Elite Portable Steamer
4. BEST FOR VERSATILITY: Bissell PowerFresh Pet Lift-Off 2-in-1 Steam Mop
5. BEST CANISTER MODEL: McCulloch MC1375 Canister Steam Cleaner
6. BEST HEAVY-DUTY: Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner
7. BEST FOR SPOT CLEANING: Steamfast SF-210 Everyday Steam Cleaner
8. BEST ACCESSORIES: Costway Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner With Accessories

How We Tested the Best Upholstery Steam Cleaners

We researched the best upholstery steam cleaners with high customer satisfaction in a variety of categories. After compiling our list, we tested each model. Our tests consisted of using each upholstery steam cleaner on furniture, mattresses, and car upholstery to evaluate the ease of use. We then put all models through a more extensive test, assessing how well they could remove six common stains: dirt, vegetable oil, tomato sauce, red wine, coffee, and chocolate sauce.

We assembled a test board consisting of foam, batting, and microsuede fabric attached to plywood. We added ⅛ teaspoon of each test substance to the board and allowed it to dry for an hour. We then used each steam cleaner to remove the stains. If the steam cleaner came with an upholstery steamer and microfiber bonnet, we used it for stain removal. For models that didn’t come with an upholstery steamer bonnet, we relied on the jet nozzle to steam the stain and then dabbed it with a microfiber cloth. These methods were equally effective.

No steam cleaner was able to remove the oil stain, but all had varying degrees of success with the other substances. The biggest factor in stain removal was the amount of steam the machine emitted.

We also evaluated any extra attachments, how easy it was to empty and store each model, and how effective the steamers were for other household surfaces. We assigned and tracked number values for easy comparison.

Our Top Picks

The following products are some of the best on the market for steam-cleaning upholstered furniture. We tested each, evaluating them for their design, water-tank capacities, power options, accessories, and versatility. These steam cleaners can help keep upholstered furniture fresh and clean.

Best Overall

Kiato Handheld Steam Cleaner

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The Kiato handheld steam cleaner is a 10-in-1 tool designed to tackle hard and soft surfaces, including furniture, car interiors, tile, windows, and carpet. It features a lightweight design and a push-button steam release. It also comes with a 10-piece accessory kit that includes a fabric steamer and a microfiber sleeve to go on top.

This model heats up to 221 degrees Fahrenheit in 2 minutes and 30 seconds. After filling the water tank and securing the lid, you can plug this steamer in and wait for the LED light to go off. The unit is then ready for use. Using the Kiato handheld steamer is as simple as pressing the button to release steam. It automatically turns off when you let go of the button. Although it has a 450-milliliter tank capacity, you will only want to add 250 milliliters at a time.

We were impressed by how much steam the Kiato steam cleaner emitted. We used it to steam a microfiber recliner, clean a mattress, and loosen mineral deposits inside a dishwasher. When we put it up against household stains, it performed well, removing the coffee, dirt, and wine stains. It removed about 70 percent of the tomato sauce and some of the chocolate. Like the rest of the models, it didn’t work on oil.

The Kiato handheld steam cleaner was among the easiest to use, and its small size makes storage simple. It never felt uncomfortable, even when we used it for 15 minutes straight. Since it emits so much steam, it’s ideal for blasting stuck-on debris off hard surfaces.

Read our full review:Kiato Handheld Steam Cleaner

Product Specs 

• Type: Handheld steam cleaner
• Tank capacity: 450 milliliters (250 milliliters maximum load)
• Dimensions: 7.48 inches high by 5.03 inches wide by 9.84 inches deep
• Weight: 4.66 lbs

Pros

• Emits large amounts of steam that blast away embedded dirt
• Lightweight and comfortable to use with easy-to-attach accessories
• Push-down steam-release button automatically turns off when disengaged
• Removed coffee and wine stains and left fabric looking refreshed

Cons

• Smaller water tank lasts only 8 minutes when used continuously
• Holding the steam-release button is cumbersome for large jobs

Get the Kiato upholstery steam cleaner at Amazon.

Best Bang for the Buck

Bissell Steam Shot Handheld Steam Cleaner & Sanitizer

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The Bissell Steam Shot steam cleaner is an affordable handheld steam cleaner with 10 multisurface tools. The easy-to-attach accessories make it possible to refresh fabric, brush away grime from hard surfaces, clean windows, and scrub dirty grout. It kills up to 99.9 percent of bacteria and germs on hard surfaces.

The Bissell Steam Shot has only one steam setting, which makes it easy to use. Fill the tank with water, secure the lid, and plug it in. The heater warms in 30 seconds, and when the LED light turns off, the steamer is ready to use. It features a steam-release button that powers off when disengaged.

During testing, the Bissell Steam Shot worked well. It emitted enough steam to leave fabric looking refreshed and loosened dirt on hard surfaces for easy cleaning. The one thing we didn’t like was the curved-front design, which caused this model to lean forward slightly when holding it. It felt less stable than models without a curved design.

The Bissell Steam Shot removed wine and coffee stains during our testing. It only removed about 50 percent of the dirt, chocolate, and tomato sauce stains. While it works great for refreshing fabric and cleaning hard surfaces, it’s not our top pick for stain removal.

Product Specs 

• Type: Handheld steam cleaner
• Tank capacity: 6.6 ounces
• Dimensions: 8.5 inches high by 5 inches wide by 9.5 inches deep
• Weight: 4 lbs

Pros

• The fabric steamer attachment left furniture looking clean and refreshed
• 10 accessories add to the product’s suitability for many household chores
• Easy to empty after use, and its compact size makes it easy to store

Cons

• Curved-front design makes this model slightly tip forward when holding it
• Wasn’t able to remove chocolate, tomato sauce, or dirt stains

Get the Bissell Steam Shot upholstery steam cleaner at Amazon or Bissell.

Best for Car Upholstery

Wagner 925E SteamMachine Elite Portable Steamer

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The Wagner SteamMachine Elite steam cleaner features a canister design and 20 attachments. Its large 40-ounce water tank provides up to 40 minutes of continuous steam. This powerful steamer can tackle almost any job, from vehicle carpet and upholstery to dirty barbecue grills.

The 8-foot steam hose and wheeled design make this model easy to maneuver. The canister design also features attachment storage, which helps keep accessories from getting lost.

Getting started is as simple as installing an attachment, filling the water tank, securing the lid, and turning the machine on. After about 9 minutes, it produces large amounts of steam that you can control via a trigger. The trigger has two settings: press release or continuous steam.

The Wagner SteamMachine Elite was one of our favorite models due to its ease of use and efficacy. It performed the best in our stain test, breaking down the wine, coffee, and dirt. It also removed about 90 percent of the tomato sauce and chocolate stains.

This model contains a fabric steamer with a bonnet and a carpet glider. We used both to refresh the fabric interior of a truck. We also tested it on hard surfaces, including a toilet. The steam blasted stuck-on dirt from hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.

Product Specs 

• Type: Canister steam cleaner
• Tank capacity: 40 ounces
• Dimensions: 23 inches high by 19.5 inches wide by 23 inches deep
• Weight: 8.31 lbs

Pros

• Performed the best in our stain test, removing dirt, coffee, wine, chocolate, and tomato sauce
• Long hose, wheeled design, and 20 attachments for easy and versatile use
• Canister features a built-in compartment for attachment storage, preventing items from getting lost
• Can use the trigger for steam release, or set it for continuous steam

Cons

• Large tank capacity means a longer wait time for steam, taking up to 9 minutes
• We experienced some water spitting while steaming, causing excess moisture on the fabric

Get the Wagner upholstery steam cleaner at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best for Versatility

Bissell PowerFresh Pet Lift-Off 2-in-1 Steam Mop

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This steam-cleaning unit from Bissell is designed with versatility in mind. In its fully assembled form, it functions as a heavy-duty floor mop. Alternatively, you can detach the canister and deploy it along with the extension hose and attachments to steam-clean upholstery, pet beds, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, and a variety of other surfaces.

An included tool bag holds a set of 13 accessories for a broad array of cleaning applications. The included fabric-steamer attachment works especially well with the handheld portion of this steam cleaner for cleansing, deodorizing, and sanitizing upholstery.

Water in the 13.5-ounce tank heats up quickly, producing steam that kills up to 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria. The 25-foot-long power cord facilitates steam cleaning of even the most hard-to-reach places.

For testing, we started by using this steam cleaner as a mop, and it worked well, leaving our floors clean and streak-free. Next, we tested the handheld canister on our stain board using the fabric steamer attachment and dabbing the stain with a microfiber cloth. It tackled the dirt, wine, and coffee stains but wasn’t a match for the chocolate or tomato sauce. The handheld steamer spat water more than other models, preventing the steam from being as powerful or continuous.

Even though this steam mop didn’t perform as well in our stain-removal tests, it did a good job overall. It’s an ideal choice for those who want a versatile steam mop with a lift-off canister. However, folks who want just an upholstery steamer might fare better with a different option.

Product Specs 

• Type: Handheld steamer and floor mop
• Tank capacity: 13.5 ounces
• Dimensions: 44.7 inches high by 11.14 inches wide by 13.2 inches deep
• Weight: 10.6 pounds

Pros

• Multipurpose cleaning tool; comes with 13 accessories and works on a variety of surfaces
• Kills 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria; great for homes with kids and pets
• Easy to switch from mopping to the handheld attachments for easy whole-house cleaning

Cons

• Somewhat small tank capacity; needs refilling during larger cleaning jobs
• Handheld steamer spat water and didn’t remove stains as well as other models

Get the Bissell PowerFresh upholstery steam cleaner at Amazon, Target, Bissell, or Walmart.

Best Canister Model

McCulloch MC1375 Canister Steam Cleaner

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Thanks to its canister design, this steamer houses a large-capacity water tank that delivers up to 90 minutes of continuous steam-cleaning power. The tank holds 48 ounces of regular tap water, and it heats to more than 200 degrees Fahrenheit in under 12 minutes.

The on-demand variable steam-flow system allows users to dial in an exact steam flow from low pressure up to 58 pounds per square inch (psi). Accessing hard-to-reach spaces is easy thanks to an 18-foot power cord and a 7-foot steam hose.

With 20 included accessories, this unit can take on a multitude of house-cleaning tasks. In addition to refreshing upholstery, this steamer works on ceramic tile, sealed flooring, grout, and more.

The McCulloch blasted through dirt, coffee, and red wine stains during testing. It also did the best on oil, eliminating about 50 percent of the stain. Since this model doesn’t come with a dedicated fabric steamer attachment, we used the jet nozzle to steam the soiled areas and then dabbed them with a microfiber cloth. Doing so was effective, lifting dirt and leaving the fabric looking refreshed.

The McCulloch came with a bag for its attachments, which helped us keep everything together. Since the canister is on wheels, it was also easy for us to maneuver. We used the jet nozzle to spray around a sink faucet, and it loosened stuck-on dirt and some of the mineral deposits. This model came with many more attachments, including a mophead. It emitted a large amount of steam, making it ideal for household and heavy-duty jobs.

Product Specs 

• Type: Canister steam cleaner
• Tank capacity: 48 ounces
• Dimensions: 10.5 inches high by 12.13 inches wide by 15.55 inches deep
• Weight: 10.78 pounds

Pros

• Delivers up to 90 minutes of power, which is enough for most upholstery cleaning
• Variable steam-flow system with an easy-to-control knob; up to 58-psi steam pressure
• 20 accessories work on a variety of surfaces; great for tough stains or general cleaning
• Users can control steam via the trigger or lock it in place for continuous steam

Cons

• Water takes time to heat up; can become frustrating when refilling during long cleaning jobs
• Using the steamer at its highest power results in a lot of moisture on upholstery

Get the McCulloch upholstery steam cleaner at Amazon or Walmart.

Best Heavy-Duty

Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner