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While all carpet stain removers serve the same purpose, they don’t all perform in the same way. For instance, a certain one may be better depending on the type of carpet you have and the type of spill that you need to clean. To help you select the product that’s right for your home, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best carpet stain removers on Amazon. Here are our top five recommendations.
Top 5 Carpet Stain Removers
- Most Versatile: Shaw R2X Carpet Stain & Soil Remover
- Best Enzyme Cleaner: BISSELL Professional Stain & Odor Remover
- Best Quantity Options: FOLEX Instant Carpet Spot Remover
- Best For Wine Stains: Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover
- Best Powdered Cleaner: Resolve Pet Carpet Cleaner Powder
Most Versatile: Shaw R2X Carpet Stain & Soil Remover
From soil to oil, this stain remover can tackle any stain. It can treat one spot or act as a wall-to-wall cleaner on carpets and rugs made from a variety of materials, including wool. It’s also safe on clothing, furniture, and upholstery.
Key Features
- Spray cleaner
- 32-ounce bottle
- Effective on soil, oil, and more
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who were happy with this stain remover said that it worked on multiple surfaces, was easy to use, and eliminated stains quickly. However, unhappy customers had difficulty using the sprayer. They also said that the product had an unpleasant odor.
Best Enzyme Cleaner: BISSELL Professional Stain & Odor Remover
Muddy pawprints, accidents, and other pet stains are some of the most common reasons why homeowners buy carpet cleaner. If you’re a pet owner, consider this spray that uses enzymes to remove stains and eliminate odors. The enzyme-based formula also works on grease, spaghetti sauce, makeup, and other spills.
Key Features
- Spray cleaner
- 22-ounce bottle
- Effective on urine, feces, blood, vomit, grease, and more
What Customers are Saying
Customers were pleased with the effectiveness of this cleaner, stating that it removed stains and their associated odors. However, those who didn’t like this product said that it didn’t work well on all food stains.
Best Quantity Options: FOLEX Instant Carpet Spot Remover
If you live in a household with messy pets or children, this product may be worth keeping in your closet. It can clean a variety of stains, including grease, oil, red wine, rust, coffee, and dirt using a non-toxic formula. It’s also available in small and large bottles as well as single packs and multipacks.
Key Features
- Spray cleaner
- 32-ounce bottle
- Effective on ink, red wine, coffee, and more
What Customers Are Saying
Pleased customers said that this spray removed stains quickly, came with simple-to-follow instructions, and had a pleasant scent. However, some customers were unhappy that it didn’t have a return policy. Others claimed that it adversely affected the color of their carpet.
Best For Wine Stains: Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover
Red wine can be one of the most difficult stains to remove once it steeps into your carpet. However, this cleaner is specifically formulated to work on red wine stains, treating both new and set spots. It’s also effective on other dark stains, such as coffee and spaghetti sauce.
Key Features
- Spray cleaner
- 12-ounce bottle
- Effective on red wine, coffee, blood, and more
What Customers Are Saying
Happy customers said that this carpet stain remover was effective on dried stains. They also said that it worked well on clothes. However, those who were unhappy claimed that it was ineffective on pet stains and that it sometimes leaked from the bottle.
Best Powdered Cleaner: Resolve Pet Carpet Cleaner Powder
Powdered cleaners are an alternative if you’re concerned about spray cleaners affecting the color of your carpet. You can sprinkle it on the affected area for spot treatment or over the entire surface for a deep clean. In addition to making your carpets look new, it also eliminates odors to make them smell fresh.
Key Features
- Powder cleaner
- One-pound container
- Effective on urine, vomit, blood, and more
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said that this powder worked well on pet stains, was effective on multiple types of carpet, and didn’t have an overpowering scent. However, those who were unsatisfied claimed that it clogged their vacuum cleaner. Others said that the container wasn’t completely full upon arrival.
Buyer’s Guide
From stain type to carpet type, here are a few factors to consider as you’re combing through your carpet stain remover options.
Type of Stain
Read the label or product description of the cleaner you’re considering to make sure it can remove the types of stains you will most often need it for. Some cleaners are designed for pet accidents, while others clean hard-to-remove red wine. Some common spills you might see listed on a cleaner’s bottle include:
- Mud
- Red wine
- Coffee
- Urine
- Feces
- Vomit
- Blood
- Spaghetti sauce
- Grease
Type of Surface
In addition to listing the types of stains they can target, stain removers also mention the surfaces they can remove stains from. Most cleaners can remove stains from rugs, clothes, upholstery, and furniture as well as carpets.
Form
Carpet stain removers typically come in liquid or powder form. Liquid-based cleaners are effective on small stains here and there because they come in small spray bottles. However, powder cleaner can be applied to large, high-traffic areas and vacuumed to give your carpet new life.
Odor Elimination
Most stains, such as urine, feces, and coffee, are accompanied by a scent. That’s why many carpet stain removers either eliminate the scent or cover it up with a new one.
Formula
Some carpet cleaners include ingredients, such as bleach, chlorine, peroxide, phosphates, propellants, aerosols, and sulfates. While effective, these ingredients are harmful to you, your family, and the environment. However, in recent years, more non-toxic cleaners that use plant-based ingredients and essential oils have hit the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I eliminate stains from my carpet?
To remove a stain from your carpet, start by blotting it. Then, check the instructions on your stain removal of choice, and use it as directed. Some stains require a few sprays and patting with a paper towel. Others need to be scrubbed or vacuumed. If you don’t have a cleaner on hand, try using a vinegar and water solution.
What stains can’t be removed from carpets?
Urine, feces, vomit, red wine, and chocolate cause tough-to-remove stains. However, most stains can be removed as long as they’re treated quickly and properly. Stains that change the color of your carpet, such as bleach, can’t be removed.
How do I combat odor caused by a stain?
You can choose a stain remover and odor eliminator combination cleaner. Another option is to use candles, oil diffusers, fragrance sprays, or other products to cover up the scent.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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