The 8 Best Carpet Cleaners of 2024

By
Jeneva Aaron
Jeneva is the founder and CEO of thehousewire.com where she provides honest and objective reviews on home and cleaning products. She is a cleaning enthusiast. She got inspired to build her own cleaning blog when she realized how cleaning can make an impact on our lives and how a cleaner home can affect a person's mood.
Learn more about The Housewire’s Editorial Process
Updated May 21, 2023

Keeping your carpets looking brand new

The 8 Best Carpet Cleaners of 2024
Thehousewire is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here

Carpeted floors can add luxury and warmth to a home. But, they can be a hassle to keep clean. Between dust, dirt and other messes – sometimes a vacuum cleaner isn’t enough.

With the right carpet cleaner, you can easily eliminate persistent smells and stubborn stains from your carpets.

We’ll explore the best carpet steam cleaner on the market. With our list of the features you should look for, you can find the best cleaner for your carpet needs. Here are our top 8 carpet cleaners.

Our Top Picks

The HouseWire earns a commission through the following independently chosen links at no additional cost to you.
Best Carpet Cleaners of 2024
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Max Clean Pet Pro Full-Size Carpet Cleaner, 1986, with Antibacterial Formula and Bonus 3' Tough Stain ToolBest Overall

Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Max

Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Max Clean Pet Pro Full-Size Carpet Cleaner, 1986, with Antibacterial Formula and Bonus 3' Tough Stain Tool

  • Odor Removal.

  • Express Clean Mode.

  • Removable Brush Roll Cover.

Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner Machine, Carpet Shampooer, Lightweight, Powerful Pet Stain Remover, FH50700, BlueBest Budget

Hoover PowerDash Pet

Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner Machine, Carpet Shampooer, Lightweight, Powerful Pet Stain Remover, FH50700, Blue

  • Lightweight.

  • Compact Design.

  • Antimicrobial Pet Tool.

Bissell 3624 Spot Clean Professional Portable Carpet Cleaner - Corded , BlackBest For Spot Cleaning

Bissell 3624 Spot Clean

Bissell 3624 Spot Clean Professional Portable Carpet Cleaner - Corded , Black

  • Multiple Attachments.

  • Long Power Cord.

  • 2-Year Warranty.

BISSELL Turboclean Powerbrush Pet Upright Carpet Cleaner Machine and Carpet Shampooer, 2085Best For Pets

BISSELL TurboClean PowerBrush Pet

BISSELL Turboclean Powerbrush Pet Upright Carpet Cleaner Machine and Carpet Shampooer, 2085

  • Multiple Attachments.

  • Long Power Cord.

  • 2-Year Warranty.

BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, Car and Auto Detailer, with Exclusive Specialty Tools, Green, 1400BBest Portable

Bissell Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet Cleaner

BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, Car and Auto Detailer, with Exclusive Specialty Tools, Green, 1400B

  • Green Cleaning.

  • Wet/Dry.

  • Self Cleans.

Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet CleanerBest For Professionals

Bissell Big Green Professional

Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner

  • Forward And Back Cleaning.

  • Powerful Suction.

  • Long Hose.

McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner with 18 Accessories, Extra-Long Power Cord, Chemical-Free Pressurized Cleaning for Most Floors, Counters, Appliances, Windows, Autos, and More, Yellow/GreyBest Steam Cleaner

McCulloch Steam Carpet Cleaner

McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner with 18 Accessories, Extra-Long Power Cord, Chemical-Free Pressurized Cleaning for Most Floors, Counters, Appliances, Windows, Autos, and More, Yellow/Grey

  • Heats Quickly.

  • Squeegee Window Attachment.

  • Sleek Design.

Folex Carpet Spot Remover, 32 ozBest Spray Cleaner

Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover

Folex Carpet Spot Remover, 32 oz

  • Multi-Surface.

  • Works On Old Stains.

  • Instant Results.

Why Should You Use a Carpet Cleaner?

There are many benefits of using a carpet cleaner.

accordion_icon

It Removes Stains & Dirt

Carpet cleaners are very efficient at removing deep stains. Because it reaches deep into the fibers, it’s great on stubborn stains from coffee messes, red wine, dirt, muddy paws, and other pet stains.

An additional benefit of carpet cleaners is it removes the darker shaded lanes that appear in high traffic areas. The carpet in entrance ways, hallways, and stairs gets darkened over time from wear. So cleaning these areas efficiently is important to restore the color of the carpet.

accordion_icon

It Removes Odors and Mustiness

A carpet cleaner can properly remove odors and mustiness that can linger in carpets. For example, pet urine, red wine stain, and coffee spills. So it’s important to remove the odors efficiently before they seep deep into the underlay.
accordion_icon

It Prevents Dust Mites

Another benefit is that it eradicates dust mites.

Dust mites are insect-like pests that can hide in the fibers of your carpet. They generate harmful allergens that can trigger asthma or allergic reactions (1). Dust mites feed on dead skin cells found in dust. So it’s good to remove dust from your home and prevent dust mites.

accordion_icon

It Prevents Mold Growths

The best carpet cleaners can also remove mold growth that can be harmful to your health.

Mold buildup leads to spores and unstable organic compounds entering the air (2). And can lead to many health problems. For example, they can produce allergens and irritants that can be toxic. These particles can irritate your lungs and throat, especially if you have allergies or respiratory problems.

Regularly cleaning your carpet is important so that mold or moisture doesn’t build up on the surface. So a carpet cleaner is a good solution to keep your carpets clean and prevent mold growth.

accordion_icon

It Promotes Good Air Quality

A carpet cleaner can also improve the quality of the air in your home.

Carpet can trap pollutants such as allergens, particle pollution, lead, pesticides, dust ans as you know dust mites (3). Vacuuming alone isn’t enough to remove these pollutants. In fact, a vacuum can cause pollutants to become airborne. So regular and effective cleaning is important to reduce this risk (4).

accordion_icon

It Expands Your Carpet’s Lifespan

Lastly, it prevents discoloration and fading in your carpet.

Some common household or homemade cleaning products can discolor your carpet. And using them regularly can damage it permanently and shorten the lifespan of your carpet.

So it will prevent discoloring and keep your carpet looking new for a long time. So you won’t have to worry about replacing it too soon.

 

How to Pick the Best Carpet Cleaning Machine

Keep these things in mind to find the best carpet cleaner for your needs.

accordion_icon

Types

There are different types of carpet cleaners. There are upright, handheld, spray, and steam carpet cleaners. It’s important to know the different types to find the best cleaner for your carpet.

Upright Carpet Cleaner

An upright carpet cleaner is a tall, all-in-one appliance. It’s also known as an extractor or carpet shampooer. The motor, clean and dirty water tanks and head are all part of one unit. And this unit is pushed in front of you while cleaning.

An upright cleaner usually has two separate tanks. One tank is for clean water, and the other is a dirty water tank.

Because of its tall design, a carpet shampooer is great for cleaning large areas, whole rooms or wall to wall carpeting cleaning.

For example, see this Bissell carpet shampooer.

Handheld Carpet Cleaner

A handheld carpet cleaner is a small and portable cleaner that can be easily held while cleaning. Handheld cleaners are cordless and rechargeable battery-powered.

They’re easy and convenient to use for quickly spot-cleaning small areas of your carpet. They’re also perfect for carpeted stairs, area rugs, car interiors, and as an upholstery cleaner.

For example, this Black + Decker handheld cleaner is great for spot cleaning stains and food spills.

Spray Carpet Cleaner

A spray carpet cleaner is a cleaning solution in a bottle. It’s ideal for spot cleaning fibers on carpets, area rugs, upholstery, and runners.

For example, Resolve is a popular cleaner spray that quickly removes stains and odors.

To learn more about a spray carpet cleaner, take a look at this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNiHkLjE2BE&t=103s

Steam Carpet Cleaner

A steam carpet cleaner is a unit that expels high-pressure steam at a high temperature to remove bacteria, dust mites, and odors from carpets or soft materials.

This type of cleaner is chemical-free and only uses water. So it’s a safe non-toxic option for cleaning.

It’s also versatile for use on other surfaces. For example, you can use this Dupray steam cleaner on various floor (bare floors, hard floors), toys, kitchen appliances, car interiors, grout, and tiles.

accordion_icon

Weight

First, consider the weight of your cleaner. Carpet cleaners are heavy machines. And they’re even heavier when you fill up their tank. Adding a solution or water to the models in our ratings adds 6 to 15 pounds to the weight of the unit.

So the lighter the machine, the easier it is to use. A lightweight unit will be more maneuverable and make the cleaning process a lot easier.

As example:

So make sure you find a model that is lightweight and too heavy to use.

accordion_icon

Brushes

Then, consider how you’re going to use your carpet cleaner. Depending on your needs, having a large variety of options regarding your brushes is important.

For instance, pet owners need brushes to get rid of stubborn pet hair. And if you have stairs in your home, small brushes will be handy to clean them.

For example, the Bissel model comes with a tough stain tool and a 2-in-1 pet hair upholstery cleaner tool. So it’s perfect for pet owners or if you have messes from kids in the house!

So it’s important to choose a model with the right brush and stain tool options for your carpets.

accordion_icon

Hose

If you pick a model with a hose, it’s also important to consider the hose length. Having a convenient length hose for your needs makes it easier to reach any areas that need cleaning.

A longer hose is important if you have a lot of hard-to-reach areas to clean. For example, the Bissell has a hose that’s over 1 meter long.

accordion_icon

Tank

Also, consider the tanks on your unit. Some models only have one tank for both water and the cleaning solution. Whereas others have two separate tanks. For example, this Bissell has a tank for water and a separate tank for the cleaning solution.

Plus, if your unit has a large tank for water, you’ll be able to clean more of your carpet at once. However, a large water tank can also make the unit heavy and difficult to maneuver. So it’s important to consider what suits your needs.

For example, this Bissell has a tank for water and a separate tank for the cleaner.

accordion_icon

Advanced Features

Some have advanced features such as an internal heater, or automatic solution mixing tanks.

An internal heating feature increases and maintains water temperature while you’re cleaning. This not only makes it easier to lift dirt and remove stains, but it can also decrease drying time.

Hot water on your carpet dries faster than colder water. This is perfect if you clean your carpets frequently. You won’t have to wait around for longer than necessary for your soggy carpet to completely dry.

Automatic in-tank solution mixing is another feature to consider. With this feature, you won’t have to pre-measure your solution. You can simply fill the water tank and cleaning solution tank, and the machine will mix the solution as needed.

Some machines also clean automatically as you push. So you don’t have to pull a trigger to dispense the solution or pull back the unit to let the machine suck the dirt in. This can make the cleaning process a lot easier and faster.

accordion_icon

Noise

It’s also important to consider the noise level of your carpet cleaner. Carpet cleaners are loud machines. They have the same level of noise as a vacuum cleaner, which is around 80 dB (5).

If you live in a small apartment or close to your neighbors, noisy carpet cleaning machines can be a nuisance. So it’s important to consider the noise level of your cleaner.

For example, according to reviewers, this Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe cleaner is much noisier than this Hoover Smartwash cleaner.

accordion_icon

Warranty

A carpet cleaning machine can be a significant investment. So it’s important to check the warranty terms.

A good warranty is helpful in case your cleaner has a defect and you need to replace it. And different brands have different warranties for each product.

For instance, Bissell offers a 5-year limited warranty for the Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner. But they offer different warranties for other models.

So make sure to check the manufacturer’s website to find the warranty details for your vacuum before you buy. If you’re unsure, contact the seller.

accordion_icon

Brands

Finally, you should consider the brand of your carpet cleaner. All of the below-mentioned brands are all carpet cleaning brands:

  • Bissell
  • Hoover
  • Resolve
  • Rug Doctor
  • Woolite
  • Oxiclean

The Best Carpet Cleaners Of 2024

We’ve spent hours researching to find the best carpet cleaner for your floors. We looked at expert advice, honest reviews, and technical specs to find you the best options on the market.

1. Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Max Clean Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Max Clean Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

Best Overall Carpet Cleaner

View on AmazonView on Bissell

It can be hard to find the time for deep cleaning your carpets. But, with this Bissell, the process is a lot quicker!

The Bissell Proheat 2X Revolution cleaner takes a lot of the hassle out of cleaning your carpets. It has a MAX clean mode that delivers powerful cleaning to remove deeply embedded dirt in one pass. So you won’t be wasting your time moving your cleaner back and forth on your carpets to get it clean.

The 12 rows of rotating dirt-lift power brushes lift the dirt as you go. That means you don’t have to do any scrubbing or extra vacuuming during your clean. This cleaner does it all at once.

Plus, it has a pre-treater function that targets spots and stains with a stream of concentrated cleaner. So you can easily remove stubborn spots and marks in traffic areas with this carpet stain removal cleaner.

What We Like

Odor Removal

The Bissell has the most powerful cleaning system out of all Bissell cleaners. It’s designed to get deep into carpet fibers to remove odors and stains – including skunk odor! So it’s perfect if you have pet stains and odors on your carpet.

Express Clean Mode

The express clean mode delivers fast drying. So you can dry your carpets in less than 30 minutes with this feature. And you won’t have to wait around for hours while your carpets are drying.

Removable Brush Roll Cover

The removable brush roll cover makes it easy to clean the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution unit. You can remove the cover for easy access to the brush roll to clean and maintain your cleaner.

What We Don’t Like

Unit Can Leak

Some reviewers had trouble with this carpet cleaning machine leaking water into their carpet. Make sure you contact the manufacturer if you have any defects with your Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution cleaner.

Technical Specs

Weight 17.5 lbs
Voltage N/A
Tank Capacity 1 gallon
Carpet Types Carpet, Upholstery
Usage Pet hair, Stain

2. Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner

Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner

Best Budget Carpet Cleaner

View on AmazonView on Walmart

You don’t have to break the bank to have clean carpets. This powerful pet compact carpet cleaner is a great product if you’re on a small budget.

With HeatForce technology, this Hoover PowerDash cleaner dries your carpets quickly. So you don’t have to spend hours waiting for your soaking wet carpets to dry. You’ll be able to walk on the carpet as soon as you’ve cleaned them!

This pet compact cleaner also has double the cleaning power than a lot of other carpet cleaning machines on the market. So you can enjoy a deeper clean. This is especially great for high-traffic areas. You won’t have to spend hours scrubbing or drying to get your carpets clean!

What We Like

Lightweight

This hoover cleaner is lightweight, weighing less than 13 pounds. So you can easily transport it around the home and it won’t hurt your wrist or back.

Compact Design

Not only is it lightweight, but it’s compact too. Its small build makes it easy to store away. So this pet compact carpet cleaner is perfect if you don’t have a lot of storage room.

Antimicrobial Pet Tool

With an antimicrobial pet tool brush roll, this cleaner is perfect if you have furry friends. The brush roll can remove pet stains and protect against odors and bacteria.

What We Don’t Like

Small Tank

Because it’s a compact unit, it has a small clean water tank. It’s only ½ a gallon, so you may have to keep refilling it if you’re cleaning a big area. This can be frustrating and can add extra time to your carpet cleaning.

Technical Specs

Weight 12.5 lbs
Voltage N/A
Tank Capacity 0.5 gallon
Carpet Types Carpet, Area Rugs
Usage Remove pet messes, Stain

3. Bissell 3624 Spot Clean Carpet Cleaner

Bissell 3624 Spot Clean Carpet Cleaner

Best For Spot Cleaning

View on AmazonView on Bissell

This powerful and portable carpet cleaner makes it easy to spot clean as you go. It’s lightweight and compact, so it’s easy to transport around when you need to clean.

It features a powerful spray, scrub, and suction process that gets deep into your carpet to remove stubborn stains.

And the long 5-foot flexible hose makes it easy to clean hard-to-reach areas. So it’s great for cleaning stairs, area rugs, under furniture, or as an upholstery cleaner.

Many reviewers also love the large tank capacity of this portable cleaner. It can hold ¾ gallons of water, so you won’t have to stop for refills in the middle of your clean.

Plus, it comes with an 8-ounce bottle of professional deep carpet cleaning formula. The solution gets deep into the fibers of your carpet to dissolve tough stains. So it’s a great solution to try out with your cleaner without having to purchase an extra product.

What We Like

Multiple Attachments

It comes with a 6-inch stair tool that covers more carpet as you clean. And the 3-inch tough stain tool makes it easier to clean small areas or messes as you go.

Long Power Cord

It has a 20-foot long power cord which gives you a lot of freedom to move around. You can clean large areas of your carpet without having to worry about reaching the power plug.

2-Year Warranty

The Bissell Spot Clean comes with a two-year limited warranty. So you can rest easy knowing you’re covered if anything goes wrong.

What We Don’t Like

Fragile Hose

A lot of reviewers note that their hose broke easily when they packed it away. It’s wrapped tightly to the unit when you store it. So it can easily crack or kink when you put it away for storage.

Technical Specs

Weight 13 lbs
Voltage 5.7 amps
Tank Capacity 96 oz
Carpet Types Carpet, Upholstery, Area Rugs
Usage Car interiors and car seats, Pet stains, Stain

4. BISSELL TurboClean PowerBrush Pet

BISSELL TurboClean PowerBrush Pet

Best Carpet Cleaner for Pets

View on AmazonView on Walmart

Keeping your carpet clean with pets in the house is a big challenge! But this carpet cleaner makes it a lot easier.

It features a powerful turbo clean for deep stains and pet accidents. So you won’t have to spend any time scrubbing on your carpets.

Plus, Bissells oxy formula is specifically designed for removing pet stains and odors. So you can get rid of pet smells or urine odors that have soaked into your carpet.

It also has four-rows of dirt-lifting rotating brushes with powerful suction for removing pet hair and ground in dirt. It’s perfect for cleaning muddy paw-prints if your pet runs inside from the yard.

Read Next: The Best Carpet Cleaners for Pets and Their Messes in 2024

What We Like

Easy To Clean

It has a one-step removable nozzle that can be easily removed to rinse after carpet cleaning. And the clean tank and dirty water tank is also removable. So you can easily empty and rinse them after you finish cleaning.

Lightweight

At under 12 pounds, this carpet cleaning machine is easy to use and move around the home. So you won’t have a sore back or wrist after carpet cleaning with this unit. And you can easily maneuver it for a quick clean-up.

Easy To Store

This carpet cleaner has a retractable handle. So you can easily tuck it away for easy storage. This is especially handy if you have small cupboards or little storage room.

What We Don’t Like

Cord Is Hard To Put Away

Some reviewers said the cord was hard to stow for storage. It can be hard to wrap tightly when putting it away and can come loose in storage.

Tanks Need Refilling Often

The water tank seems to empty quite fast during cleaning. This can be a pain having to stop and refill the tank in the middle of your cleaning process.

Technical Specs

Weight 12 lbs
Voltage 3.4 amps
Tank Capacity 0.5 gallon
Carpet Types Carpet, Area Rugs
Usage Stain, Small messes (pet)

5. Bissell Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet Cleaner

Bissell Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet Cleaner

Best Portable Carpet Cleaner

View on AmazonView on Bissell

This Bissell multi-purpose portable carpet cleaner has a unique look, but it packs a lot of power.

This small, compact machine has an easy-to-carry design. So it’s easy to transport around your home. And the comfortable handle makes it easy to clean upholstered furniture or your car interior.

Plus, with powerful spray and suction, it’s easy to tackle stains effortlessly. And the long flexible hose can help you reach any area of your carpet. So it’s great for any soft surfaces.

It also has two removable tanks. This way you can easily add water and carpet shampoo without making any messes.

What We Like

Green Cleaning

This model comes with sustainable design features to effectively minimize waste. So you can enjoy an environmentally friendly clean.

Wet/Dry

This compact unit works as a wet/dry vacuum. So you’ve got two tools in one small-sized body! You can vacuum up any dirt and easily dry your carpet after cleaning.

Self Cleans

Cleaning your carpet can feel like a big hassle. But Bissell has equipped this machine with a self-cleaning hose so you don’t have to! The HydroRinse attachment cleans out the hose after use, clearing it of clogs and dirt.

What We Don’t Like

Noisy

Many reviewers found this machine to be very loud. Its powerful suction can make a lot of noise while you’re cleaning your carpets.

Technical Specs

Weight 12 lbs
Voltage 3 amps
Tank Capacity 48 ounce
Carpet Types Carpet, Upholstery, Area Rugs
Usage Car interiors, Stain

6. Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner

Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner

Best for Professionals

View on AmazonView on Bissell

For professional-grade cleaning results, this heavy-duty cleaner is the one to use.

Equipped with two large 160-ounce tanks for clean and dirty water, you won’t have to stop for any refilling. Even if you’re cleaning a large area of your flooring.

And it has a 25-foot power cord so you can move around with freedom. You won’t have to worry about unplugging your cleaner as you go. So it’s perfect for cleaning a large room at once!

The large dirt-lifting brushes efficiently lift the dirt as you clean. This means you won’t have to scrub any dirt in high-traffic areas. This heavy-duty green professional carpet cleaner does it all for you.

Plus, with a 5-year warranty, you can trust that the Bissell Big Green Professional won’t let you down. You can have confidence in the quality of this heavy-duty cleaner. And you know you’re covered if anything goes wrong.

What We Like

Forward And Back Cleaning

A lot of carpet cleaners clean on only forward passes. But, this Bissell heavy-duty unit cleans on forward and backward passes. So you won’t have to double your efforts to move it forward each time. You can move it around, and it will clean with every move.

Powerful Suction

The Bissell Big Green Professional has incredibly heavy-duty powerful suction. So it effectively lifts dirt and debris as you clean. Many reviewers favor this cleaner due to its quality cleaning abilities.

Long Hose

The flexible upholstery spot cleaning tool hose is 9-foot long. So you can clean wide areas at once. The flexible upholstery cleaner tool is also flexible and easy to move. So you can get to small spaces without any hassle.

What We Don’t Like

Bulky

Because this Bissell Big Green Professional cleaner is heavy-duty, this machine is large and bulky. So it requires a lot of storage room and can be heavy to move around. But, many reviewers say that it’s worth it for the power it holds for deep cleaning.

Technical Specs

Weight 41 lbs
Voltage 12 amps
Tank Capacity 1.75 gallons
Carpet Types Carpet, Upholstery
Usage Pet messes, Stain

7. McCulloch MC1275 Steam Carpet Cleaner

This steam carpet cleaner is built for efficient mobility. Its long cord and hose make it easy to move around for cleaning. Plus, the extra-large wheels provide easy sliding over your flooring so you don’t have to lift it around.

We love the variety of useful attachments that this steam cleaner has. With 18 accessories to choose from, you’re covered for almost any cleaning situation. You can use it on multiple surfaces around your home.

Plus, the power on this cleaner provides effective cleaning for tough stains. So you don’t need to add any cleaner or shampoo. The powerful hot steaming penetrates tough dirt and stains effectively.

What We Like

Heats Quickly

You won’t have to wait around for this steam cleaner to heat up. Many reviewers note that the large tanks heat up surprisingly quickly in less than 8 minutes. You can get to cleaning quickly with this steam cleaner.

Squeegee Window Attachment

Unlike most carpet cleaners, this model comes with an attachment that you can use on windows. The squeegee attachment is perfect for cleaning your car windows. But you can also use it on glass surfaces in your house.

Multi-Surface

This steam cleaner is suitable for almost any surface in your home. So if you have carpet and hardwood floors, this cleaner is perfect to use. You can use it on appliances, outdoor tiles, flooring, and countertops too!

Sleek Design

Many favor functionality over design. But this cleaner has both. It has a unique sleek black and yellow body, which many reviewers love the look of. The sleek-look unit can make cleaning a little more enjoyable!

What We Don’t Like

Hard to Empty

Many reviewers had trouble emptying the dirty water tank on this cleaner. You have to lift the machine upside down to empty the dirty water tank. This can be hard to do, especially when the dirty water is steaming hot. Make sure you take care when you empty the hot water from the tanks.

Technical Specs

Weight 12 lbs
Voltage 120V
Tank Capacity 48 oz
Carpet Types Carpet, Upholstery, Area Rugs
Usage Car interiors, Pet hair, Stain

8. Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover

A spray carpet stain remover can be convenient for quick spot removals, especially if you’re pressed for time. And this Folex instant carpet spot remover does the job well!

This water-based solution is odor-free, so it won’t leave any strong cleaning smells on your carpet. Plus, it’s solvent and petroleum-free, meaning it’s safe to use with children and pets in the house.

What we love most about this spray cleaner is that it doesn’t need any rinsing! So you won’t need to spend time wiping or vacuuming with this cleaning spray. And you’ll see the results straight away.

What We Like

Multi-Surface

You can use this spray cleaner on almost any soft surface or material. It works on carpets, upholstered furniture, and other soft materials. So you can clean more than just your carpets with this cleaner.

Works On Old Stains

This cleaner isn’t just effective at spot cleaning on the go. Folex’s formula is made to tackle stains that are old too. So you can bring your carpet back to life, even if you have previous stains.

Instant Results

Many reviewers are shocked at how quickly this cleaner can remove stains. It provides instant stain-removing results even with stubborn spots. So you can enjoy quick cleaning without having to wait around to see results.

What We Don’t Like

Can Lighten Carpet

Some reviewers found that this cleaner lightened their beige carpets. So it left a lightened patch on their floor. Make sure you follow the instructions on the back of the bottle to make sure you use it correctly.

Carpet Cleaner Comparison Chart

ProductWeightVoltageTank CapacityCarpet TypesUsage
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Max17.5 lbsN/A 1 gallonCarpet, Upholstery
Pet hair, Stain
Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact 12.5 lbsN/A0.5 gallonCarpet, Area Rugs
Pet stains, Stain
Bissell 3624 Spot Clean 13 lbs 5.7 amps96 ozCarpet, Upholstery, Area Rugs
Car interiors, Pet stains, Stain
BISSELL TurboClean PowerBrush Pet12 lbs3.4 amps 0.5 gallonCarpet, Area Rugs
Stain, Pet messes
Bissell Multi-Purpose Portable12 lbs 3 amps48 ounceCarpet, Upholstery, Area Rugs
Car interiors, Stain
Bissell Big Green Professional41 lbs12 amps1.75 gallonsCarpet, Upholstery
Pet messes, Stain
McCulloch Steam Carpet Cleaner12 lbs120V48 ozCarpet, Upholstery, Area Rugs
Car interiors, Pet hair, Stain
Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover2 lbsN/AN/ACarpetPet accidents, coffee, blood,food, red wine
Jump to the Full Carpet Cleaner Reviews

FAQs About Carpet Cleaners

Here are a few details you need to know before buying a carpet cleaner.

How Do Carpet Cleaners Work?

Carpet cleaners follow a spray, scrub, suction method.

First, they spray a mixture of water and cleaner into the carpet fibers to soften and loosen the dirt.

Then, they scrub the carpet. An upright carpet cleaner has rotating brushes that spin and lift the dirt towards the surface of your carpet. Spot cleaners are similar but don’t have spinning brushes. Instead, you scrub manually using a handheld brush with bristles. This can require some elbow grease.

The last part of the process is suction. Carpet cleaners use vacuum suction to remove the dirty water from your carpet. The dirt is lifted from the carpet with the water, and your carpets are left clean and dirt-free.

What Do Professionals Use to Clean Carpets?

Most professionals use the hot extraction method.

Also known as steam cleaning, this method uses hot water at high pressure to reach deep into the carpet fibers to break down and loosen dirt and bacteria (6).

Then, the hot water is extracted using vacuum suction. As we explained above, dirt is lifted with the water as it is suctioned up.

Can Carpet Cleaners Remove Pet Odors?

Yes, all carpet cleaners can remove pet odors. However, some models are more effective at fighting pet odors than others (7).

For example, the SpotBot Pet Handsfree Cleaner is an effective pet odor removal machine.

How Often Should I Use a Carpet Cleaner?

Manufacturers recommend properly cleaning your carpets at least 2 times a year. But, under some circumstances, you should clean your carpets more regularly.

  • For example, if you have indoor smokers in your home, it’s important to deep clean your carpet every 3 to 6 months (8).
  • If you have children in your home, we recommend cleaning your carpets at least once every six months.
  • Lastly, pet owners should deep clean your carpets at least every six months.

Down To Cleaning

Keeping your carpets clean can feel like a never-ending battle. And finding the right tools to keep them clean can feel overwhelming. But, with the best carpet cleaner, eliminating odors and removing stains can be easy!

Keep in mind our recommended features to look out for to find the best carpet cleaner for you. Think about the weight, hose length, brand, and features of your cleaner.

With these in mind, you can find the cleaner that will keep your carpets looking and feeling brand new.

Please feel free to leave a comment if you enjoyed this article, we’d love to hear from you! Or, share it with a friend!

Related Reading