Carpeting adds comfort and warmth to a room, but over time dirt, odors, germs, and other elements can settle into the fibers. Regular carpet cleaning removes these substances and promotes a healthy environment.
The best carpet cleaners have large tanks that can handle repeated washings without refueling and feature multiple water modes to reduce soapy residue and help the carpet dry faster. They also have special features for tackling stubborn stains.
Cleaner
The best carpet cleaners remove deeply embedded dirt and stains. They spray a solution onto the carpet, work it into the fibers with a rotating brush, then vacuum up the dirty water and attached debris. Many models also heat the water to enhance cleaning power and help carpets dry faster.
If you have pets, consider a carpet cleaner with an odor-eating agent that helps eliminate pet urine odors. You can also use enzymatic cleaners to treat specific spots or stains on your carpet. If you have natural fibers such as wool, avoid heated cleaning solutions; the fibers can shrink and suffer other kinds of damage at high temperatures.
Full-size carpet cleaners typically include multiple attachments to clean upholstery, stairs, and other areas. They may have a long hose, heater, or brushes that rotate on a swivel base for easy maneuvering and access to tight spaces. They’re typically heavier and more expensive than portable models, but they can save time by eliminating the need to switch between attachments for different jobs.
Look for a model with an indicator that lets you know when the cleaning solution tank is empty. Larger tanks reduce the frequency of refills, enhancing efficiency for extensive cleaning tasks. We evaluate how loud each carpet cleaner is based on its decibel readings at various distances from the machine, and we look for models with adjustable water modes that allow users to control the amount of solution used, which can help the carpets dry more quickly.
Deodorizer
Cigarette smoke, food spills, and body oils build up in carpet fibers, causing them to retain and absorb unpleasant odors. Deodorizers work by releasing pleasant-smelling chemicals that mask and remove unwanted odors, leaving your home fresh-scented.
Most models dispense cleaning solutions and agitate the carpet with a rotating brush to dissolve dirt and stains. They then vacuum up the solution and any dirt that they have dissolved from the carpet into the dirty water tank. They often come with hoses and mini nozzles that make it easier to clean upholstery, stairs, or other difficult-to-reach areas. Most also have onboard storage for the hose, attachments, and wand to keep them within easy reach when you need them.
If you have a very large area to cover or very stubborn stains, consider an upright model that uses a larger tank that can treat a larger area in one session. However, these are usually heavier and more difficult to maneuver. Some models offer a rinse-only mode, which allows you to use the cleaner without any detergent solution, for quick refreshes or spot treatment of mildew and mold.
We tested a variety of portable, upright, and professional-style carpet cleaners to find the best ones for getting rid of stains and keeping your floors clean. The top overall pick was the Bissell Big Green professional-style carpet cleaner, which is user-friendly and easy to maneuver and store. Its small tanks may need frequent refilling, but it does a great job of quickly removing stains.
Stain Remover
Stain removers use enzymes to digest or dissolve organic stains such as blood, grass, and food. They are less effective on chemical stains such as ink, magic markers, and grease. They are often sold as pretreaters and must be applied to the stain before cleaning. They may be liquid sprays, bars of soap, or powdered pretreaters. Follow the directions on the label to apply them as directed. Blotting, scraping and other pretreatment techniques also can be used on dry stains.
Before applying stain removers, it is often helpful to blot or scrape the stain as much as possible. This makes it easier for the chemicals to reach the stain and reduces the likelihood of permanent color change. Scraping can also be useful in lifting excess semisolid staining material or loosening caked-on stains.
Many of the best stain removers come in a hand spray bottle, making them easy to squirt onto stains. Some are specially designed to be safe and environmentally friendly, while others work just as well on clothing, upholstery, and carpets as conventional household cleaners.
Some of the best stain removers work at room temperature, while others require warm or hot water for application. Some are available in a variety of colors to match or accent your home, while others come in scents such as orange peel or citrus. Others can be made using common household ingredients. For example, plain hydrogen peroxide often works to lift blood stains. Other solutions include club soda, cornstarch, or even a bit of toothpaste with peroxide.
Vacuum
A vacuum cleaner uses an air stream to collect dust and other debris in a bag or hopper. The hopper is mounted on the bottom of the machine and has a lid to keep out dirt when you are not using the vacuum. Depending on the type of vacuum you select, there are many different attachments to suit your needs (such as a crevice tool for corners or small spaces, an agitator brush to dislodge carpet fibers, and a long hose for stairs and vertical surfaces).
Most full-size carpet cleaners have a motor and suction power in a central unit connected to a hose by a flexible tube. These are called canister models in some other countries, and they can be bagged or bagless, with or without a filter. They typically come with a variety of attachments and a long hose for reaching stairs and other hard-to-reach areas, plus a heater to warm cleaning solution.
The best full-size carpet cleaners have a feature that adjusts the height of the cleaning head to the carpet’s pile height so that it can reach deep into the carpet to release soil and stains for extraction. Also, they have a powerful brush roll that spins rapidly to scrub the carpet and dislodge stubborn dirt. Some have a built-in vacuum for emptying the hopper, and they use an air-recycling method that reduces dust circulation.