
What are the best products for professional stain removal on upholstered furniture?
Share
Upholstered furniture is often a major investment for both homes and businesses. Whether it's a luxury sofa, dining chair, or office chair, upholstery is exposed to daily wear and tear, spills, and stubborn stains. For cleaning companies and professional cleaners, removing stains from upholstery requires the right technique—and more importantly—the right products.
In this comprehensive guide, we discuss the best products available for professional stain removal, how they work, and what to look for when choosing a solution for your cleaning business.
Why upholstery cleaning requires specialized products
Unlike carpets, upholstery consists of a wide variety of fabrics—cotton, wool, microfiber, velvet, silk, and synthetic blends. Each fabric reacts differently to moisture, heat, and cleaning chemicals.

The wrong product can lead to color loss, shrinkage or permanent damage.
Professional upholstery stain removers are formulated to:
- To be safe for substances and pH neutral
- Quickly breaks down oils, food, ink or organic stains
- Leaving minimal residue to prevent re-contamination
- Works well with low-moisture or wet cleaning systems
Common types of stains on upholstery
To know which product to use, it's important to understand what type of stain you're dealing with:
- Protein stains (blood, sweat, milk)
- Grease and oil stains (food, body oil)
- Tannin stains (coffee, tea, wine)
- Dye stains (ink, fruit juice)
- Combination stains (e.g. food with oil and dye)
Each type requires a specific approach with a targeted product.
Best Types of Products for Professional Upholstery Stain Removal
1. Coating pre-treatments (Pre-sprays)
These sprays break down heavy soiling before extraction. Low-moisture, dust-safe sprays are ideal for upholstery.
Application: Apply evenly, brush in lightly with a soft brush, leave on and then rinse.
2. Protein and enzymatic stain removers
Ideal for organic stains like food, blood, or sweat. These products break down protein molecules and neutralize odors.
Ideal for: Furniture in restaurants, offices, or households with children/pets.
3. Solvent-based stain removers
Perfect for ink, marker, cosmetics, and grease stains. Evaporates quickly and doesn't saturate the fabric.
Note: Always test on an inconspicuous area first.
4. pH neutral upholstery rinses
Neutralize residues after cleaning and stabilize the pH to prevent re-soiling.
Use: As a final rinse step in wet extraction.
5. Stain protectors and fabric coatings
After stain removal, a protector helps prevent future stains and extends the life of the fabric.
Benefit: Additional service that increases customer satisfaction and repeat business.
What to look for in professional upholstery cleaners
- WoolSafe or fabric certification
- Low foaming for machine use
- Neutral or pleasant scent
- Fast acting with short exposure time
- Safe for natural and synthetic fibers
- Residue-free formula
Recommended products from IzyClean
-
Fabric Pro Upholstery Pre-Spray
Low-moisture spray that quickly loosens dirt and food stains. Perfect for use before extraction. -
Enzyme Plus Spot Remover
Targets organic stains and odors without harming sensitive fabrics. -
Citrus Gel Solvent Cleaner
Dissolves oil, glue, and ink without soaking the upholstery. Safe when used correctly. -
Upholstery Rinse & Neutralizer
pH balanced rinse aid that leaves fabric soft, clean and residue-free. -
Fabric Shield Protector Spray
Forms an invisible barrier to prevent new stains.
Tips for removing stains from upholstery
- Always test on an inconspicuous area first
- Use little moisture: hand extractors or encapsulation
- Brush gently so as not to damage the fabric structure
- Follow the manufacturer's processing time
- Rinse well and dry quickly with fans
Common mistakes
- Using carpet cleaners without checking fabric compatibility
- Scrubbing too hard or using rough brushes
- Apply heat to protein stains (sets stain)
- Leaving residues that attract dirt
Conclusion
Choosing the right products for professional stain removal is essential for safe, effective, and long-lasting results. With high-quality solutions like those from IzyClean, your team can tackle any stain on sofas, chairs, and office furniture.
Visit izyclean.eu to discover our full range of professional upholstery cleaners and take your cleaning business to the next level.