What must you look for in an upholstery cleaner if you have pets?
Let’s face it: as much as your fur babies look cute as munchkins, they give you a lot of headaches in terms of home cleaning. They can create all the mess that you can think of. Their feet carry dirt and soil from outside, and sometimes, they pee on your sofas. They litter and stain your upholstery and make your entire room smell like urine!
If you own a pet, you need to clean your upholstery regularly. We understand that you love your pets so much that you’d rather clean up their mess rather than giving them away. In this case, investing in home cleaning machines for upholstery or furniture cleaning is a good idea.
If you don’t know what to look for in a quality upholstery cleaner for pet owners like you, consider the following:
Cleaning Performance
The best upholstery cleaners should remove tough stains in every form – tannin, dye, protein, or oil- on any fabric. It should lift the stains after a few scrubbings without destroying the material. It must also take out the cleaning solution effectively for faster drying to avoid bacterial growth. Pick an upholstery cleaner that does all these with great efficiency. These are the primary reasons you need an upholstery cleaner in the first place.
Ease of Use
It’s a big help if you choose an upholstery cleaner that is easy to operate without the need to consult the manual. It should only have an intuitive interface that will tell you which button to press. All labels must be noticeable, especially those that can be found in the tank. This way, it will be easier for you to know how much water and cleaning solution you need for cleaning.
Some companies also release totally automated models. This revolutionary technology takes out the stain in your upholstery completely hands-free.
Lightweight
The best cleaners are easy to carry from one room to another. Upholstery carpet cleaners that weigh less than 14 pounds is a good find. With this weight, you can take it with you wherever you go.
Compact
Based on our experience, a bigger size doesn’t always translate to better performance. Most models from a well-known brand are compact yet can do the job better than larger types. You can quickly store a cleaner that is about the size of an oven toaster inside a cabinet.
Scrubbing Tools or Cleaning Attachments
All upholstery cleaners come with at least one cleaning attachment. However, it’s a big plus if you find a device that offers more choices for scrubbers and cleaning attachments. If you have attachments for different types of upholstery, that can be a good catch.
Cleaning Formula
Although not all upholstery cleaners come with cleaning formula, it’s a big plus if the one you pick has it. If you use an upholstery cleaner twice a year, an 8-ounce trial bottle is a lot of help. If you don’t get a cleaning formula, you can buy a separate bottle for $10-$20, depending on the brand.
Power Rating
Select an upholstery cleaner that can last long enough until you finish cleaning. Take note that a device with a high-powered motor would translate to better vacuum suction. Some brands with only 5 amps work better than its 10 amps counterparts.
The machine is using the motor power for suction and other various features. Suppose the device needs 10 amps and doesn’t have a lot of power-consuming features. In that case, the power is concentrated more on the suction function. This means that this device can clean better than others. Good suction power also means that the cleaner can absorb more water from the upholstery, resulting in shorter drying time.
Cord Length
A typical upholstery cleaner’s power cord is about 14-20 feet in length. This measurement is convenient enough to move well in any given situation. With this length, you can snake it around any furniture until it reaches the right spot. Any measurement longer than this is too much.
Some companies introduce a cordless model. It works well for some, but most reviews said that they are prone to leakage. It’s best to wait for a few more years until the cordless technology has become stable before buying this type of upholstery cleaner.
Water Tank Capacity
A big water tank is always better since it means you can store more solutions in it. If you’re going to use the upholstery cleaner for many items, you need a water reservoir of around 100 ounces. However, if you will use the machine mostly for spot cleaning, a small tank of 40 ounces is enough.
Price
The price must be the last of your priority. Typically, you need to spend about $100-200 for a decent upholstery cleaner. Top-of-the-line brands for home use can go as high as $300. If you will only use the machine two times a year, choosing an expensive brand is impractical. A mid-range cleaner is good enough for multiple uses. You can use it every time your pet pees or poops on your sofa.
