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Use them to treat dirt, set-in stains, and odor on your padded, fabric-covered couches, accent chairs, and more.

Unlike clothing and other home linens, upholstery isn’t easy to clean—after all, you can’t just toss soiled furniture into the washing machine. This is why many experts rely on specially formulated upholstery cleaners to tackle tough spills, stains, and other messes on fabric-covered, padded pieces.

To make sure you get the right formula (or machine) for the job, you’ll need to consider exactly what you need to clean. Different fabrics require different cleaning solutions and techniques, says Justin Carpenter, an entrepreneur, cleaning expert, investor, and general manager of Modern Maids. “Synthetic fabrics like microfiber or polyester are generally easier to clean with milder solutions,” he says. Natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, wool, and leather, require more specialized cleaning formulas and methods.

While you shop, also keep in mind just how soiled your furniture is. “Upholstery cleaners are designed for a variety of types of messes, from light surface dirt to tough stains,” Carpenter says. “If you’re dealing with heavy soiling, it’s important to use a cleaner that has deep-cleaning capabilities or enzyme-based formulas that can break down tough stains.” For particularly stubborn issues, you might want to look into upholstery cleaner machines (we have a top-rated iteration on our list, below), instead of a spray formulation.

Finally, your budget and the size of the soiled area should also be considered. “Some upholstery cleaners come in small bottles that are perfect for spot cleaning, while others come in larger sizes for cleaning entire furniture pieces,” Carpenter explains. “If you’re looking to save money, consider opting