Imagine all the things that can happen to your sofa in the average day. If you have pets, they might be jumping on your furniture, tracking dirt and dander on it. Children could leave crumbs, dirt, and hair behind.
Perhaps you’ve recently had some guests over. They might spill drinks on your sofa, and if they’re sick, they may leave traces of that sickness behind.
The bottom line is, cleaning your sofa is important, but often neglected in many households. That’s why we’ve gone out and found the best steam cleaners for sofas in the UK.
With the steam cleaners on this list, you can be sure your sofa is squeaky clean. Keep reading to see why we picked each one.
Quick Recommendation
In a hurry? We’ll tell you our favorite steam cleaner here. Our personal favorite is the Bissell SpotClean Pro.
It gives you a professional-level clean every single time. On top of that, it comes with a powerful cleaning solution and has a decently sized water tank.
What to Remember When Choosing a Steam Cleaner for Your Sofa
Attachments
Steam cleaners used to just be like vacuums filled with liquid. They were generally used for carpets or hardwood floors.
You can now find all kinds of steam cleaners with attachments that make them furniture-friendly. You may want to look out for attachments, such as fabric tools, funnels, or spray nozzles.
These features can make it much easier for you to clean your sofa.
Read Also: Best Sofa Cover Protectors for Dogs
Size
As we discussed above, steam cleaners have traditionally been used for floors. This meant that they had a bulky, clunky size that made them frustrating to lift.
If you’re going to be cleaning your sofa, though, you want something you can lift and manoeuvre. You probably don’t want to have to tug on a long hose while you push a heavy appliance around on the floor.
We personally recommend handheld steam cleaners in general. They’re lightweight for high manoeuvrability, so you can easily clean all parts of your sofa.
Multi-Surface Use
If all you’re searching for is a steam cleaner to use on your sofa, then any of the steam cleaners here will be useful. But a sofa isn’t the only surface that needs to be kept clean in your living room, not to mention your entire home.
A steam cleaner doesn’t have to have strictly limited uses. Some are designed for use on numerous surfaces, including your floors and even your clothes.
When you’re in need of a multi-functional cleaning tool, make sure you check the descriptions for any prospective steam cleaners. This will tell you if you can use the steam cleaner on other surfaces.
Best Steam Cleaners for Sofas in the UK
The Pro Breeze Garment Steamer is an ultra-lightweight steamer that you can comfortably hold in your hand. It has an extremely fast heating element, too, so you can expect it to be hot enough for use within a minute of turning it on.
That takes virtually all the waiting out of steaming. If you’re in a rush, you’ll be able to breeze through cleaning with this steam cleaner – just like the name implies.
It’s also extremely gentle on your more delicate fabrics. You can safely use it on things like sequins, beads, and embroidery without causing them harm.
Pros:
• Heats up in under a minute.
• Can be used on delicate fabrics.
• Lightweight and easy to hold.
• Comes with a travel pouch to keep it in.
• Suitable for using on the road.
Cons:
• Because it’s small, you’ll need to add water to it more often.
A powerful little machine, the VonHaus Handheld Steamer was created to steam virtually any surface you need it to. The pressurised steam it generates is perfect for clearing away mould and allergens, which is ideal for anyone in your household with allergies.
Despite its power, though, it’s gentle enough to smooth wrinkles out of your clothes. This versatility means you can use it for a variety of cleaning jobs, both big and small.
Pros:
• Creates powerful pressurised steam that can remove mould and allergens.
• Includes steamer pads.
• Can generate steam for up to eight minutes when it’s full.
• The cord has an impressive three-metre length, giving you more flexibility to move while using it.
Cons:
• Some users reported that it’s hard to remove the attachments after use.
Bissell is a brand name trusted by many. When you see something with the name on it, such as this SpotClean Pro steam cleaner, you know you’re looking at something made by a company with tons of experience.
It shows in the product. This steam cleaner has professional-level strength that can leave a variety of surfaces in your home sparkling clean.
The tank has a larger water capacity. That leads to less time spent waiting impatiently at your sink while it refills. You’ll also get a sample bottle of Bissell’s Wash & Protect formula with it to boost the results of your cleaning.
Pros:
• Includes a bottle of cleaning formula.
• Comes with a stain tool to help you clean out those extra tough stains.
• Large water capacity so you don’t need to fill it as often.
• Small stature for easy storage and transport.
• Strong suction is designed to remove dirt and stains effortlessly.
Cons:
• Can be expensive.
• There are some reports that it’s very noisy.
This Comforday steamer is one of the most powerful ones on this list, with 1050 watts of power. A decent water tank capacity also means it can provide up to 20 minutes of pressurised steam once it’s full.
That translates to more time of uninterrupted cleaning. You won’t need to rush to your sink every couple minutes to add more water.
Plus, the steamer is 100% free of chemicals. All you need is water, so you can be entirely sure it’s safe and non-toxic as you clean your home.
Pros:
• Has an innovative nozzle shape that can get into hard-to-reach spaces.
• Generates hot steam for up to 20 minutes after filling.
• Includes nine different attachments, such as an extended house, brush heads, and funnel.
• Uses only water for a chemical-free clean.
• Suitable for a wide variety of surfaces.
• Heats up in just three or four minutes.
Cons:
• Some owners felt the cord is a little too short.
Aside from its pretty name, the Polti Vaporetto has a pretty look that makes it look better than the average cleaning appliance. It’s more than just good looks, though: its hot steam can kill up to 99.99% of germs.
It also includes a carry strap so you can carry it like a bag. This makes moving it around your house during cleaning simple. Just slide the strap over your shoulder, hold onto the handle, and let the machine handle the rest for you.
This handy steam cleaner also comes with a seal of approval for effectiveness against dust mites by the British Allergy Foundation. If you’re concerned about allergens and germs, this could be the choice for you.
Pros:
• Hot steam gets rid of up to 99.99% of germs.
• Has a Seal of Approval from the British Allergy Foundation.
• Attractive design.
• Built-in strap allows you carry it comfortably on your shoulder.
• Lightweight for easy carrying.
Cons:
• There are some reports it leaves too much moisture behind.
Wrap Up
While all the steam cleaners on this list will help you tidy up your sofa in no time, the one we’d recommend over all others is the Bissell SpotClean Pro.
The extra cleaning solution it comes with, and its suction power just can’t be beat. With the SpotClean Pro, you can expect a professional-quality clean time after time.