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Designed to eliminate tough stains and neutralize strong odors, shampoo keeps your carpeted surfaces clean. To help you select a cleaning solution, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best carpet shampoos on Amazon. Here are our top five recommendations.
Most Concentrated: Bissell Carpet Shampoo
This solution contains four times more active ingredients than other leading carpet shampoos. Its concentrated formula removes oil, grease, makeup, blood, feces, urine, and more. In addition to receiving an effective cleaner, your purchase supports Bissell’s Pet Foundation.
Key Features
- Comes in a 48-ounce bottle
- Works on carpets, upholstery, and rugs
- Has a biodegradable formula
What Customers Are Saying
Many customers loved this shampoo because it was easy to use and had a fresh scent. Those who were unsatisfied with their purchase said that the product didn’t eliminate underlying odors in their carpet.
Best Value: OxiClean Carpet Cleaner
This OxiClean shampoo uses deep-cleaning action to target each carpet fiber. Designed to make dirty and dingy carpets look brand new, OxiClean encourages you to throw parties and own pets without worrying about accidents.
Key Features
- Comes in a 64-ounce bottle
- Works on carpets and rugs
- Has a hydrogen peroxide formula
What Customers Are Saying
Customers praised this product for its odor elimination, value, and scent. Those who didn’t enjoy their purchase said that the shampoo didn’t work as well as they expected. However, pairing it with OxiClean’s other stain-fighting products improved its performance.
Best Laundry Scent: Hoover Carpet Shampoo
This solution tackles tough stains and their odors, replacing them with a fresh cotton scent that’s reminiscent of clean laundry. It also uses StainGuard technology to prevent future stains for up to seven days.
Key Features
- Comes in a 64-ounce bottle
- Works on carpets and rugs
- Has an enzymatic formula
- Has a cotton breeze scent
What Customers Are Saying
Customers praised this carpet shampoo, stating that it provided a deep clean and had a nice scent. A common complaint among unsatisfied customers was that its fresh scent didn’t last long.
Largest Bottle: Rug Doctor Deep Cleaner
This shampoo guarantees a thorough and professional cleaning. With pets in mind, it uses a triple-action formula to eliminate pet stains, neutralize their odors, and prevent future ones for up to 24 hours. It also contains ingredients that are safe to use around pets.
Key Features
- Comes in a 96-ounce bottle
- Works on carpets, upholstery, and rugs
- Has an enzymatic formula
- Has a fresh spring scent
What Customers Are Saying
Most customers were satisfied with their purchase, stating that the product was easy to use and provided impressive results. Those who were unsatisfied with their purchase said that the product didn’t always eliminate strong odors.
Most-Eco-Friendly: Sunny & Honey Carpet Cleaner Shampoo
In busy homes with young kids and pets, urine, drool, vomit, food, feces, and drink stains are a common occurrence. This shampoo tackles these accidents with a biodegradable, cruelty-free, and non-toxic formula.
Key Features
- Comes in a 32-ounce bottle
- Works on carpets and rugs
- Has a biodegradable formula
- Has a spring mint scent
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said that this product was effective at odor elimination and deep cleaning, making their carpet look like new. However, those who were unsatisfied said that they didn’t enjoy the strong mint scent.
Buyer’s Guide
Carpet shampoos work in different machines and on different stains. To learn more about the elements that vary from shampoo to shampoo, read our guide below.
Carpet Cleaner Compatibility
You can use most carpet shampoos in any carpet cleaning machine. However, some solutions may have specific requirements, such as an upright or water-based machine.
Ingredients
Most carpet shampoos use harsh ingredients, such as bleach and hydrogen peroxide, that are particularly toxic to adults with allergies, young children, and pets. To ensure that the product you choose is safe for your family, check the label. Certifications, such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice, as well as mentions of non-toxic and biodegradable ingredients are all indications of a safe product.
Fragrance
Many shampoos have a fresh scent that’s meant to mask the smell of the stains on the carpet or the chemicals in the solution. If you’re sensitive to smells, choose a cleaning product that is fragrance-free or has minimal fragrance.
Stain
Manufacturers often list the types of stains that their shampoos work on. Many shampoos can eliminate common stains from pets and children, such as urine and vomit. For red wine and other tough stains, you may need a stronger, more concentrated product.
Amount
Carpet shampoos are sold in pourable bottles that typically range in size from 32 to 128 ounces. If you have a lot of carpet in your home or young kids or pets that are prone to spills, opt for a larger bottle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I shampoo my carpet?
Shampoo your carpet every 12-18 months. If you have pets or toddlers, you can do it more frequently—around every six months. You can also pull out your carpet cleaner and shampoo after a big spill.
What’s the best way to get a stain out of my carpet?
Different stains require different procedures. To clean most food and drink stains, you can blot the area while it’s still wet. After the area dries, follow up with a cleaning solution.
To clean mud or dirt, start by letting the stain dry. Then, vacuum over the area several times to pick up as much debris as possible. Apply a cleaning solution, and blot the area until the stain is gone.
How do I choose a carpet cleaner?
Some of the best carpet cleaners have these features:
- Multiple attachments
- Long, flexible hose
- Portable build with a lightweight frame or wheels
- Separate clean and dirty water tanks
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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