Best Overall
Woolite Advanced Stain & Odor Remover + Sanitize
Best Bang for the Buck
Puracy Natural Carpet & Upholstery Shampoo
Best Fast-Acting
Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover
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Carpet lends comfort , warmth , and knockout to a home , but it can hold on to common spillage and soil with more tenacity than a sight of hard flooring . A dark , unmissablecarpet staincan break the look of a endearing living space , yet the more you rub and seek to bump off some stains , the more noticeable they can become . Even workaday poop tracked into the home from outdoors can dig in and become challenging to shell . That ’s why there ’s a whole niche of cleaning products directed at withdraw rug blot — some ecumenical aim and others target to specific problem .
It ’s always best to swipe a stain when it ’s still fairly fresh , so it ’s wise to keep a container of carpet cleaner handy to use when accident occur . Still , with so many product on the food market — some of which make jolly incredible claims — we decided to quiz some of the most popular to limit their functioning on typical stain that are likely to occur in households with dogs or kid or with the periodic spill of a wine-coloured glass or plate of fried chicken . Not only did we regard how well the products work , we also look at how comfortable and convenient they are to apply .
For best results , follow directions cautiously when using any stain remover . Some note to rewet the filth first if it ’s dry out , while others recommend multiple covering or pre - treatments if a grunge is specially unregenerate . hold back prison term differ as well — one product may begin to sneak a stain forthwith , while another may take a day or longer and may require a wet cloth be placed over the surface area .
Keep reading to learn about important shopping circumstance that help narrow the field of battle of options , and learn the professional ( and casual cons ) of some of the best rug stain remover normal for home usance .
ALSO TESTED : ScotchGuard Rug & Carpet CleanerandAngry Orange Enzyme Stain Cleaner & Odor Eliminator
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Carpet Stain Remover
Although manycarpet cleanup productsclaim providential result , the ideal formula will be gentle enough to keep people , pets , and the major planet safe — without sacrifice cleaning power or brand - busting efficaciousness . Some rug cleaners also offer the bonus of being safe and effective for use onupholstery , pet bed , and car Department of the Interior . So keep the following in mind when peruse merchandise to bump the appropriate discolouration zapper .
Stain Type
First , it ’s helpful to know the properties of sure grunge , some of which can be especially tough to remove without the right convention .
Active Ingredients
There are basically two chief potent compounds and bioactive agents used in various stain removers .
A convention intend to take on stain and oil stains will contain powerfulsurfactants . These compounds glower the surface tension of urine , make water molecules “ slipperier ” and more likely to stand by to dirt and oil and hoist it from carpet and fabric airfoil . Surfactants can be celluloid or derived from such natural substances as coconut and palm oils .
works - based surfactant are increasing in popularity in cleaning and personal care products , as they be given to be gentler and more environmentally sustainable . Look for carpet cleaners that contain plant - based wetting agent and use words such as “ biodegradable ” and “ nonpoisonous ” on the label .
Many carpeting cleaners useenzymesto unwrap down stains into their component component . enzyme are protein that race up biological processes , such as digestion and radioactive decay . These substances are especially helpful when tackling organic stains , including solid food , blood , and permissive waste . Enzyme - base stigma remover are designed to wholly clean and put down smell rather than mask smell with fragrances or deodorants . Oxidative enzyme is now such an effective and commonly used stain - dude that it is often mentioned in merchandise names — using the tachygraphy of “ oxi ” or “ oxy . ” One caution about enzymatic cleaners is they often require fairly lengthy time lag times to mould in effect .
Safety and Eco-Friendliness
Many carpet cleanser may contain heavy chemicals and man-made chemical compound . These may let in acids , Cl or peroxide , crude oil - base byproducts , VOCs ( volatile organic compounds ) , CFCs ( chlorofluorocarbons ) , inorganic phosphate , propellants and aerosol , sulfates , optical brighteners , and sometimes artificial fragrances and deodourant .
These chemicals are combined in some of the most in force stain remover that receive poor grades from theEnvironmental Working Groupbecause of inauspicious health effects and peril of environmental damage . Those with sensitivities or for whom eco - awareness is a precedency should contain each product ’s health evaluation before purchasing .
as luck would have it , it is now possible to receive carpet dry cleaner that swear almost alone on plant - base cleansers , natural deodourant , and indispensable fossil oil . Thanks to consumer protagonism and industry research , these safe , more healthy production are begin to supplant cloggy chemical substance solutions and , in some cases , are proving highly effective .
Photo: Anne Holub
When deliberate “ fleeceable ” or “ eco - favorable ” products , it ’s wise to do a lilliputian inquiry . Read up on the product from independent sources to set the veracity of a troupe ’s selling claims .
Application Method
The program method chosen will bet on the size of it and type of the dirt as well as the carpet ’s fibre and fear instructions .
Pro tip : spot test an in or two of carpet behindfurniturewith a carpeting dirt remover before using it on a larger , more visible area . enforce according to instructions to ensure no carpet color is lift and no fiber damage occurs .
Our Top Picks
The following carpet soil remover proved to be effective in our script - on test . These products , most of which are nontoxic , wo n’t damage carpet and are popular in menage nationally . Check out some of the best in their various category .
Some of the worst smear - causing fall can allow nasty bug behind . Woolite Advanced Stain & Odor Remover + Sanitize is an excellent worldwide - purpose stain remover , with a H peroxide - based pattern that kills 99.9 percentage of bacterium on diffused surface . This brawny product onslaught such unregenerate stains as flushed wine-colored , preferent messes , mud , burnt umber , chocolate , and grime on carpet and other soft surfaces , such as upholstery and bathroom mats .
luckily , users need n’t worry about this peroxide rule decolourise the color from carpets . In our testing , the product off potent tone and dark ketchup and chocolate stains with no color alteration to carpeting character . And although the spraying convention has a somewhat lengthy waiting time of an time of day , after that geological period and some gentle blotting with a microfiber towel ( per the passport ) , the stains were gone .
Photo: Anne Holub
Get the Woolite carpet stain remover onAmazonor atBissell .
Puracy Natural Carpet & Upholstery Shampoo is made from 99.5 percentage instinctive ingredients , including grapefruit essential oil color and zinc ricinoleate , which is a mineral - base smell remover . It ’s enzyme - based , so it ’s effective on favorite passel as well as other constitutional stains . Plus , as a hard liquid that users dilute with water , it ’s also quite low-priced .
Puracy will clean and deodourise most carpets , upholstery , and other washable Earth’s surface thoroughly , yet it ’s free of sulfates , phosphates , animal byproducts , chlorine , bleach , dyes , petrochemicals , caustics , perfume , and ocular brighteners . And although it ’s labeled a shampoo , indicating use in carpeting - cleaning machines , it can be used as a blot treatment as well
Photo: Anne Holub
To test , we thin Puracy in weewee in a bucketful and apply it to chocolate and ketchup discoloration with a clean sponge . Stains started to occur up right away , though it took a act of blotting and several applications for the dreary stains to disappear completely . We did n’t test the carpet shampoo in a cleaning car , but we were impressed enough with the spot - cleaning results to expect it to work quite well that way .
Get the Puracy carpet stain remover onAmazonor atChewy .
Folex Carpet Spot Remover yield stains the the boot quickly , yet its nontoxic , odor - free formula arrest no irritating VOCs , CFCs , or crude oil byproducts that can irritate skin , eye , and lungs . The active ingredient is a water - based surfactant that lifts poop and grime . use as directed , Folex is safe to expend around kid and pets and is suited for any colorfast carpets and upholstery that can be dampen with water .
Photo: amazon.com
However , we found the recording label claim of “ no rinse ” to be a bit deceptive , as we feel during testing that Folex requires the same spray - and - smear proficiency as most other stain smirch remover . We fully impregnate stained orbit with Folex , then went at it with a damp quick study — and it did work fast . Mud and poop come up especially quickly , while acidic tannin stains demand repeated treatments . We recommend turn over for Folex if a caboodle of dog-iron and kid come tromping through the house after play out in the yard .
Get the Folex carpet stain remover atAmazon , The Home Depot , orLowe ’s .
Best for Wine Stains
The Hate Stains Co. Chateau Spill Red Wine Remover
The aptly named Chateau Spill Red Wine Stain Remover by The Hate Stains Co. contains biodegradable surfactants that lift stubborn dark tannin discolouration from carpets and fabric . detached of peroxide , chlorine , and phosphate , it does the trick without bleaching the color out of carpet fibers . It can also be used on material , whether manus - washing or in the machine .
In examination , we follow the label pedagogy by rewetting a dried wine-coloured stain with H2O . We then sprayed on the Cartesian product and were impressed to see the filth fade almost instantly . Giving the blot a gentle stain with a clean cloth eased out the stain full . This stain remover also show pretty effective on other acidulent stains , including tomato sauce and chocolate . However , it was n’t completely effective on dried mud .
Get the The Hate Stains Co. carpet stain remover onAmazonor atAce Hardware .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Enzymatic
Bissell Professional Pet Stain & Odor Remover
Bissell Professional Pet Stain & Odor Remover relies on an enzymatic chemical formula to banish pet faux pas and other especially stubborn stains , including motor oil colour , spaghetti sauce , and descent . Tough as it is on foul mess , it ’s free of heavy metals , inorganic phosphate , and dyes . Just use according to directions and be patient .
After removing as much satisfying refuse as potential , spray the stained area ; cover with a clear , moist towel ; and get it sit for 12 to 72 hr . During our tryout , we made sure to keep the expanse moist , which allowed the probiotic enzymes to continue multiply and round the unclean region . We found this Bissell intersection to be worth the delay on most acidulent stains such as Lycopersicon esculentum sauce and red vino , but we were a bit disappointed by its performance at take away chocolate .
Get the Bissell favorite carpet stain remover onAmazonor atChewy .
Photo: amazon.com
Best for Multiple Surfaces
Nature’s Miracle Advanced Stain and Odor Eliminator
Nature ’s Miracle may be the serious general - purpose mathematical product to attain for in menage where stains and smell take place on a variety of surface . It turn back both enzymes and surface-active agent to harness pet accidents and other bio - base messes . The ready - to - use sprayer is secure on most rug and Sir Henry Joseph Wood floors as well as other hard and soft surfaces . Just be sure to head off using other cleaning agent when first remove solid waste ; the instructions caution that doing so before applying Nature ’s Miracle may diminish the efficaciousness of the product .
Spray the affected area and rent the product sit for 15 minutes , then fleck the grunge and odor away . In testing , we were especially impressed by the design of the applicator , which allowed the spray to cover a evenhandedly declamatory surface area . And though we consider the smell of Nature ’s Miracle to be a snatch off - putt , it fritter away as the product dry .
Get the Nature ’s Miracle carpeting stain remover onAmazonor atChewy .
Photo: amazon.com
Best for Ground-in Dirt
Resolve Carpet Triple Oxi Advanced Stain Remover
Foot dealings can press stains deep into carpet and make them harder to remove . For cleaning areas such as entryways , view the enzymatic formula of Resolve Carpet Triple Oxi Advanced Stain Remover . It tackles both clean and set - in stains while neutralise odors .
It purports to banish a host of tough stains , including love apple sauce , salad dressing , motor oil , vegetable oil , war paint , red wine , food for thought stain , pet stains , java , clay , scandal , and Mary Jane . In examination , we find Resolve Triple Oxi to be highly effective at removing dried clay — likely to occur in gamey - traffic areas — but less good on acid mark . We were impressed that the light - to - use sprayer worked tight , begin to nobble stains in just 30 seconds .
Get the Resolve carpet stain remover onAmazonor atTarget .
Photo: amazon.com
Most Eco-Friendly
Naturally It’s Clean Carpet Stains & Odors Cleaner
Naturally It ’s Clean is a non-poisonous carpeting cleaner that ’s safe for manipulation around children and deary . power by works - found enzyme , Naturally It ’s unobjectionable is pH neutral and biodegradable , without VOCs , propellent , or artificial scent . The ware ’s citrus scent come from an essential oil , and the odor - eliminating chemical formula breaks down stains and smell into their basic element . It ’s also safe to apply on rude fiber , such as wool and cotton .
To use , shake well and spray generously on stains , and countenance it sit for 15 minutes . In examination we found that this natural cleaner required some scrubbing with a sponge and a few repeat applications to ban smear . We also establish the lemon odor to be a bit overpowering . But kinsfolk who desire a altogether eco - favorable convention may be uncoerced to work a bit hard to be gentle on Mother Earth .
Get the Naturally It ’s Clean carpet mark remover onAmazonor atNaturally It ’s Clean(as a outfit ) .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Oxy-Powered
Bissell Pro Oxy Power Shot Carpet Stain Remover
Thanks to its strong oxy rule and a high - pressure stream of saving , Bissell Pro Oxy Power Shot spray hit stains hard by getting down deep between blockheaded carpet thread . Indeed , the king - shot delivery scheme may plash , so protect or remove nearby furniture and other items before employment . To utilize , merely spray , expect a second , and smudge up such stains as cherry wine , preferent dirt , coffee , and motor oil . The product work well on blot in testing , but we found the label ’s title to be a bit heavy on the hype . Despite its somewhat great detergent - like smell , this Bissell product is VOC - barren and even has eco - well-disposed promotional material .
Get the Bissell Pro Oxy carpet stain remover onAmazonor atBissell .
ALSO TESTED
ScotchGuard Rug & Carpet Cleaner
Although ScotchGuard is a well - known brand when it arrive to smear prevention and cleaning , this foam rug cleanser did n’t penetrate our trial run carpet very deeply . Carefully working the product into the carpet after the suggested wait menstruum , per the book of instructions , did n’t yield much in damage of blot remotion , either .
furious Orange Enzyme Stain Cleaner & Odor Eliminator
Photo: amazon.com
Despite having an enzymatic formula , this product did n’t remove stains nearly as well as we had hoped . Plus , its orange scent was so overpower , we trust that it process mostly to cover up rather than eliminate odors . We were n’t angry — just disappointed !
Our Verdict
TheWoolite carpet stain removerhas a middling longsighted waiting period ( about an hour ) , but it proved to have the most stain - banishing success in our run , earning the skilful overall award . We also urge our best bang for the Pearl Sydenstricker Buck picking , Puracy rug grease remover , because of its great performance , instinctive ingredient , budget - favorable price , and versatility , since it can be used in a carpet - cleaning machine and as a point remover .
How We Tested the Best Carpet Cleaners
We bear testing using identical carpet samples and a set of unwashed stains , including dirt / mud , tomato sauce , chocolate sauce , cooking oil , coffee , and red wine . ( Full revealing : We did not boost our pets to colly the samples , so we did not report about product effectiveness on pet stains in our reexamination ) . We permit the stain coiffe for about an 60 minutes , put on the cleaner , let it bring for the recommended amount of time , and then endeavor to hit the stains per the Cartesian product ’s instructions .
We use a testing gloss to rank cleaners on a 0 to 4 scale leaf in terms of their ability to take away stains and noted any repugnance against the instructions . We also evaluated products based on their ingredient , repose of consumption , fastness of effectualness , cost , and , of course , carrying into action in stain remotion .
FAQs
immediate - as - possible treatment with a calibre stain remover is the best way to get rid of carpeting stains . The right removers can also banish olfactory perception . For those still adjudicate on the best carpet stain remover , the next head - and - answer section may help .
Q. Does vinegar remove carpet stains?
Yes , acetum can remove some carpet stain . test a solution of equal contribution vinegar and urine to relax stains .
Q. Does hydrogen peroxide remove carpet stains?
Yes , hydrogen peroxide can be an effective homemade soil remover . However , because hydrogen hydrogen peroxide can bleach some fabrics , it ’s best to do a small spot test before use .
Q. What stains cannot be removed from carpet?
substance such as blanching agent that alter carpet people of colour or fabric will cause permanent legal injury . Red wine , chocolate , lubricating oil , and pet piddle are notoriously hard to remove and are best dealt with straight off . Leaving spills to sit overnight can cause permanent spotting .
Q. How can a home’s occupants protect carpets from getting dirty?
get fellowship members and guests move out shoe before walk on rug will aid keep outside poop and grime from coming off on the carpeting . Vacuuming at least twice a workweek and mysterious cleaning every 6 month will remove dirt that ’s inevitable from everyday use . A carpet protector product can keep stains from sinking in , any spills should be removed pronto with a stain remover .
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Photo: amazon.com
Photo: amazon.com
