The 6 Best Carpet Shampoos Of 2024

There are 3 potent cleaning agents found in most carpet shampoos. Depending on your stain types, each agent will work to tackle different types of marks.

• Alkaline cleaners contain chemicals that are good at breaking down protein-based food stains. They’ll also dissolve fats, grease, and oils.
• Carpet cleaners that contain solvents are also ideal for getting rid of grease and oily dirt stains.
• Detergent cleaners like this Carpet Miracle shampoo have surfactants or “surface active agents”. These help to get rid of marks by bonding water to the dirt or grease, and then it’s broken down and washed away.

You might also see some carpet shampoos that have enzymes. These will also help to break down stains on carpets and are also good at eliminating odors – handy if you have pets!

• Liquid carpet shampoos are great if you have a carpet cleaning machine already. But some you can also apply directly onto your carpets.
  You remove the carpet cleaner with some fresh water and a cloth or sponge. Most liquid carpet shampoos don’t foam much and need to be diluted with water first – check the bottle details.
• A powder or dry shampoo can be sprinkled straight onto your carpet or upholstery. You then need to brush it so that the electrically charged particles that pick up dirt and smells are activated.
  Next, vacuum up any leftover residue. This type of carpet cleaner works just as well as liquids at eliminating odors and cleaning stubborn organic marks, like those left from pets or blood.
• A spray or foam carpet cleaner solution is ideal for targeting specific areas. You simply need to spray the solution onto your carpet, leave it for the recommended amount of time, scrub the area, and finally vacuum.

Look at what ingredients the carpet cleaning solution has. It’ll be either mostly chemically-based or naturally-based.

Chemicals

Carpet shampoos that contain chemicals will have strong ingredients. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) says that some of these harsh chemicals can cause asthma, birth defects, or even cancer ⁽¹⁾.

And manufacturers of chemical cleaning products don’t need to list their ingredients on the packaging or make them public, as food manufacturers do. So you might not be able to see exactly what’s in it.

But, chemical cleaners are usually more efficient at getting your carpets clean. So if you do opt for a chemical-based shampoo, look out for the “Safer Choice” label – this means that every ingredient has reached strict safety criteria.

If you can’t see this label, we suggest that you always wear gloves and a mask when using potent cleaning agents.

In addition, keep an eye out for carpet shampoos that contain “oxy” ingredients. These can alter the dye in your carpet, so always check with the carpet manufacturer first – otherwise, you might void your warranty!

Natural

Carpet shampoos that are “natural” will have chemicals that come from natural resources such as corn, rather than from petroleum.

These ingredients are from renewable resources. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re better for your health or the environment.

And, you can’t always tell whether they’re safer or not, unless you know exactly what the ingredients and their effects are ⁽²⁾.

Plus, some natural ingredients can unfortunately damage your carpets! Baking soda, for example, doesn’t get rid of stains but absorbs moisture.

So it’ll stick to your carpet fibers and scratch them due to its abrasive quality when there’s traffic over your floors. And as it’s water-soluble, while cleaning it’ll disappear, but then reappear as a white film once your carpet is dry.

As a result, your carpet color might be lightened and look less like new. Therefore, always check labels for baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and avoid them for carpet stain removal.

You should also avoid products that contain calcium carbonate, sodium silicate, or hydrated silica.

Check what material your carpets and rugs are made of, whether it be polyester or natural wool or silk. Different carpet cleaning solutions will be needed for different carpet types.

So you need to check the labels on the carpet shampoo before purchasing. Most will list the types of carpet fibers and fabrics they can be used on, or at least should tell you what they aren’t suitable for.

Most commercial products are compatible with manmade carpet and rug fibers. And most are fine for woolen and silk materials.

If you have carpet fibers that are plant-based, such as woven sisal, grass, or bamboo, you’ll need to contact the carpet manufacturer. They should tell you what is safe to use, and provide good care instructions.

A lot of shampoos will only be suitable for cleaning dirty carpets. But if you want a more versatile cleaning solution, pick a multipurpose product that you can also use on your furniture, in the car, etc.

So you can check what brands of carpet cleaning machines it can be used in on the label. If brands aren’t listed, make sure you use the solution according to the manufacturer’s directions.

For example, never use more carpet shampoo than the label says. This could damage your carpet cleaner!

And if the shampoo isn’t compatible with your machine, you might also risk damaging your carpets. So always carefully read the instructions before using the product.

Finally, check to see that the product has a seal of approval (SOA) from the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI).

The SOA tells you that the cleaning product has been rigorously tested. It looks at 7 performance attributes, including how well it removes stains, changes the surface appearance, and pH level.

The CRI has full lists of those solutions that have their approval. And it also lists those that they’ve certified as “green” ⁽³⁾.

No, using carpet shampoo won’t damage your carpets. In fact, the CRI recommends that you do shampoo your carpets.

And, if you don’t give your carpets a thorough clean, you risk getting buildups of dirt, soil, mold. And nasty toxins.

If you don’t regularly get rid of these, your carpets might be ruined. Plus, you’ll start to notice wear and tear, discoloration, and some unpleasant odors too.

The recommendation from the CRI is that you should have your carpets professionally cleaned around every 12 to 18 months ⁽³⁾.

Depending on how busy your household is – pets, children, etc. – you might need to do this more often. Some of your carpets will be in high traffic areas and need extra care.

For a professional clean, you’d normally need to contact a cleaning company. But, you can rent or buy a commercial carpet cleaning machine to save some money.

Using one of these along with a carpet shampoo will keep your carpets in good shape between professional deep cleans.

Check the label for the manufacturer’s guidance, as each liquid carpet shampoo is different. See whether it’s for use on its own or in a carpet cleaner.

• For use on its own: normally you apply it directly to your carpet. You then need to gently agitate it (to get it to work!) with your fingers or a brush. And finally, blot clean with a microfiber cloth.
• For use in a machine: shake the bottle before use. And make sure that you test it on an inconspicuous area before applying it to your whole carpet. If it discolors your floors, you know not to use it!

Follow the carpet cleaner’s recommended instructions for the correct detergent to water ratio.

Again, check the label of the dry shampoo to see how it’s best applied.

• In general, you should first vacuum your entire carpet thoroughly.
• Then, sprinkle the powder over any visible stains. Always check with the manufacturer about how much you should use.
• Next, use a soft bristle brush to distribute the dry carpet shampoo throughout the carpet fibers.
• Keep brushing until all the dirt disappears.
• You should wait for at least 20 minutes for the powder to dry.
• Finally, vacuum your carpet again.