Home & Garden Home The 6 Best Non-Toxic Upholstery Cleaners of 2023 ECOS Stain and Odor Remover is to top pick for a upholstery cleaning spray. By Lorraine Wilde Lorraine Wilde Twitter Lorraine Wilde is a freelance writer for Treehugger. She is the Owner and Strategist of the public relations and content company Wilde World Communications. Learn about our editorial process Updated August 8, 2022 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Home & Garden Pest Control Natural Cleaning DIY Family Green Living Thrift & Minimalism Sustainable Eating We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Moment / Getty The upholstery in your home, car and office will inevitably need regular cleaning due to normal use, spills, or pet and kid stains. Sadly, too many people will throw out and replace a soiled couch or chair instead of dealing with the dirt. A good cleaning can extend the lifetime of fabrics, and we're here to help you do it in a way that’s free from harmful chemicals. But even the toughest dried and set-in stains and odors can be eliminated with the right tools. Because upholstery can be made of a variety of fabrics, it's always best to check the manufacturer’s tags for temperature limits and test any cleaner or machine in an inconspicuous area first. When simple, at-home ingredients don’t seem to do the trick, consider a professional cleaning solution or upholstery cleaning machine. Here are the best upholstery cleaners for a natural and non-toxic cleaning job: The Rundown Best Overall Spray: ECOS Stain and Odor Remover at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Machine: Bissell SpotClean Portable Carpet Cleaner at Walmart Jump to Review Best for Pet Stains: TriNova Natural Pet Stain and Odor Remover at Amazon Jump to Review Best Handheld: PurStream Pressurized Steam Cleaner at Walmart Jump to Review Best for Cars: Dupray NEAT Steam Cleaner at Walmart Jump to Review Best Innovation: Bissell SpotBot Pet Spot and Stain Portable Cleaner at Walmart Jump to Review Best Overall Spray ECOS Stain and Odor Remover 5 Ecos View On Amazon View On Ecos.com View On PETCO When you want just one safe product that can do it all, try ECOS Lemon Stain and Odor Remover. It's made from simple, plant-based ingredients: just water, enzymes, alcohol (derived from corn), biodegradable surfactant (derived from coconut), and lemon oil. The spray has a USEPA Safer Choice certification, with powerful plant-based enzymes that cut through grease and even the most stubborn stains and odors on all types of upholstery fabrics. It wins the top spot on our list because it also works well on laundry, garbage cans, and carpets while also being safe enough to use in the fridge and kitchen. Color-safe and residue-free, this biodegradable spray can be left in place to air dry or it can be blotted or extracted. Unlike many other upholstery cleaners, this one has a fresh lemon scent that leaves you with a satisfying clean. ECOS offers a range of products that are all are cruelty-free (never tested on animals), and vegan. ECOS' manufacturing facilities are powered by renewable energy, and are certified carbon-neutral, meaning any carbon emissions they produce are balanced out by funding an equivalent amount of carbon sequestration. Price at time of publish: $44 Best Overall Machine Bissell SpotClean Professional Portable Carpet Cleaner 4.2 Courtesy of Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Globalindustrial.com Although Bissell’s cleaning solutions are not generally environmentally-friendly (they contain potent surfactants), they company's upholstery cleaning machines are great at what they do. The Bissell SpotClean Pro 3624 tested at the top of the heap among portable upholstery cleaners. When we tested this machine on a light-colored rug, it successfully removed salad dressing, chocolate, and dirt. Both easy to use and easy to clean, this machine uses hot tap water in an easy-to-fill 0.75-gallon tank. Compared to its competition, you won’t have to refill this portable cleaner as frequently. It weights 13 pounds and has a generous 22-foot cord. The SpotClean's powerful motor makes it is a little louder than some other units. It's best suited for spot and stain removal, rather than larger cleaning jobs like wall-to-wall carpeting. Price at time of publish: $165 Who Else Recommends It? This steam cleaner is also recommended by The Spruce and Wirecutter. Best for Pet Stains TriNova Natural Pet Stain and Odor Remover Spray Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Chewy The best products for pet stains and odors work as enzymatic cleaners, meaning they contain a mixture (often proprietary) of natural bacteria and enzymes that break down the ammonia and other organic chemicals in urine, feces, saliva, and vomit—the true source of pet stains and odors. TriNova contains only natural bacteria, digestive enzymes, water, bamboo extract and mint essential oil. That means you don’t have to worry about the health of people or pets in your house after using this product. It can treat any surface that can handle contact with water. Users also report that the minty scent is not overpowering like many other pet stain and odor removers. Using this cleaner is simple–just spray it on and wait about two to five minutes, then blot with a towel. Not only does this pet carpet cleaner get rid of stains, but it completely neutralizes odors too. Price at time of publish: $18 3 Swaps to 'Green' Your Spring Clean Best Handheld PurStream Chemical-Free Pressurized Steam Cleaner Courtesy of Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon The affordable PurSteam Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner weighs just 2.2 pounds, has a low profile, and comes with a nine-piece accessory set to help you get into even the smallest nooks and crannies. It takes only three to four minutes to heat up, so you can respond quickly and easily to unexpected spills before they have chance to take hold. Instead of using a chemical cleaner with a big environmental impact, consider applying the power of steam to knock out tough stains and odors. Steam cleaning trades heat for chemicals without sacrificing strength. The PurSteam Handheld also sanitizes, destroying bacteria that causes stains and odors, as well as killing viruses, mold, dust mites, and organic proteins, using only water and heat. In addition to working well on cotton and wool carpets, furniture, mattresses, and dog beds, this steam cleaner can also be used all over the house. It cleans a range of surfaces including ceramic tile, granite, waterproof wood flooring, laminate tiles, and washable wallpaper. Don’t let the size of this top-rated unit fool you, its powerful cleaning capability fits in the palm of your hand. Price at time of publish: $40 The 10 Best Natural Odor Eliminators of 2023 Best for Cars Dupray NEAT Steam Cleaner 4.2 Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Wayfair Like some of the other steam cleaners here, the Dupray NEAT Steam Cleaner works without chemicals thanks to steam. This cleaner heats tap water up to 275 degrees in just seven minutes. Its 54-ounce tank makes it perfect for cars, because that large capacity will give you up to 50 minutes of cleaning time without having to run inside for a refill. The 16-foot cord, 6-foot hose, and lightweight versatility allows you to reach into the tightest spots of your vehicle. The NEAT Steam Cleaner works well on both leather and fabric seats, as well as harder surfaces like door jams, windows, consoles or engines. Its smooth rolling wheels make for easy movement while you work, while the “low moisture ratio” doesn’t leave surfaces overly wet. Its powerful heat can clean and disinfect many other household surfaces, killing 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, mold, and bedbugs. Price at time of publish: $175 Best Innovation Bissell 2117A SpotBot Pet Spot and Stain Portable Deep Cleaner 5 Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Wayfair It has one feature that virtually none of the other upholstery cleaners offer: Built-in scrubbing brushes. This works well for anyone with mobility or strength issues, and for tired pet owners and parents. You simply lay or press it flat over the desired area and the combination of cleaning solution, scrubbing action, and effective extraction do the work for you. As with other Bissell products, skip their soap-heavy solutions and use your own homemade solution or one of the other solutions on this list instead. To tackle stains, simply fill it up, set it in place, choose one of two preset cleaning cycles, and push the button. In just three to six minutes those tough stains are wiped out. The unit also has a hose attachment for other surfaces, and also works hands-free on horizontal surfaces. The SpotBot Pet's "Deep Reach" technology sprays ample liquid directly from the brush to get to the root of the stain. It's also easy to carry and store, thanks to compact profile. Price at time of publish: $185 Final Verdict If you’re just looking for an easy non-toxic spray, pick up a bottle of the ECOS Pro Stain Remover. If you’re ready to invest in an upholstery-cleaning machine, Treehugger’s pick is the McCulloch Heavy Duty Steam Cleaner. Natural & Non-Toxic Upholstery Cleaning Tips For most stains, your first stop should be a natural tried-and-true homemade remedies that include ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap. In general, stains and odors are removed most easily when cleaned right away, before they’ve had a chance to dry. If the spill is still wet, use a clean, dry cloth to blot or dab the fabric (don’t wipe as that could spread the offending liquid). Your goal is to absorb and remove as much of the spill and any organic matter as possible before applying a stain and odor remover. Treated areas will look best once they’ve dried, so don’t judge any one approach too soon. Let your upholstery air dry after treatment to determine if further effort is needed. Sometimes more than one approach is needed to defeat more tenacious stains. Why Trust Treehugger? Lorraine Wilde, M.S. holds a Master’s degree in environmental science and is a firm believer that consumers can make informed choices that protect the planet. Lorraine also has years of experience cleaning upholstery in her home and car as a mom of teen twins and a long-time pet owner. The 5 Best Natural Pet Odor and Stain Removers of 2023 View Article Sources “Bissell SpotClean Professional Portable Carpet Cleaner Review.” The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/bissell-spotclean-portable-carpet-cleaner-review-4767745 “The Best Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner.” Wirecutter. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-carpet-and-upholstery-cleaner/