Cleaning upholstery?

I just closed on my first home (a coop) and am in the process of moving in!!

My uncle gave me two couches that have a few stains on them. I bought slipcovers but they look TERRIBLE and so I have decided to try to clean the stains... does anyone know how to clean a couch? It seems like some kind of cotton, they are off white/cream colored stripes and they have big stains on them...is there a special upholstery cleaner out there that I can use?

Do I need to call someone and have them try to do it professionally? I don't want to spend too much money since the whole point of taking these couches from my uncle was to save money on buying a new couch!!

Thanks for your advice!!