The cons are similar to our top pick and true of most carpet cleaners. But for households with wall-to-wall carpeting, the trade-off is well worth it for its ability to wash and dry large areas in less time. We found it smelt pleasant too; granted, thats not an essential requirement, but its a definite bonus. Then it was time to test each machine's effectiveness at removing stains: The night before our stain removal testing, we stained medium-pile carpet samples with wet potting soil, orange juice, and ketchup. It takes stains out of the carpet without much effort on your part, even ones that have been marinating for a day or two. Manufacturers often insist you use their brand, and while other types may work fine, you might void your warranty (although I have no idea how they'd know). If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. Features include powerful jets that inject cleaning solution into the carpet, vibrating scrub brushes to lift dirt and stains, and pro-grade suction power that helps to aid in stain removal and drying time. 
The upholstery and stair attachments were equally useful. Use fans, fire up the heating, or do your carpet cleaning in the spring and summer months when you can leave windows open. 
And while this cleaner looks heavy, we found it easy to move about and carry up stairs. The reason? Doubling up as a dry vacuum, this is a great multi-purpose machine. WIRED is where tomorrow is realized. Theres even a handy tool for cleaning the cleaner when youre done, though this is a fiddly job. After several days spent testing in our Lab, we declared the Hoover SmartWash PET Complete Automatic Carpet Cleaner our best overall pick because of its impressive cleaning abilities and its many special features that set it apart from the competition. Testers evaluated how well each carpet cleaner removed the stains, and let the clean samples sit out overnight to see whether they were still wet the next morning. In many cases, the machines also restore carpet, leaving it looking refreshed and almost new. All rights reserved. Deeper stains needed slightly more work but the carpet was left damp rather than wet, while the machine also lifted the carpet pile, making it look as good as new. You probably don't want to deep-clean an old, neglected house with this one, but for bedrooms, area rugs, or cleaning up pet messes or food spills, this should get stains out quickly. But for the pet owner who finds themselves constantly tackling stains and odors, this powerful carpet cleaner allows you to clean large stains without even bending over. Who it's for: People who want a more affordable carpet cleaner that has separate tanks for clean and dirty water. This model doesnt offer quick-clean modes or have any attachments in the box, though you can buy a Hand Tool ($100) separately. Also available at The Home Depot and Target. We tested it using both its Express Clean and Deep Clean settings. Drying your carpets can take a long time. Who it's for: People who want an upright carpet cleaner with attachments for spot treating stains. Protect your hearing. To use, first push the nozzle of the tool onto the stain while slowly pulling it towards you to suction up any excess liquid before spraying the stain with a cleaning solution. Be sure to check out our Best Robot Vacuums, Best Handheld Vacuums, Best Dyson Vacuums, and Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products for more cleaning recommendations.
To determine the best carpet cleaners, we rounded up 24 of the most popular carpet cleaners on the market and put them through thorough testing in our Lab, evaluating them on their ability to remove various types of stains, as well as their noise level, design, and overall value. Some carpet cleaners feature a dual or two-tank design, meaning there's one for clean water and another for dirty water. And, without the use of carpet cleaning solutions, steam cleaners may struggle to remove set-in stains. If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Also, it's maneuverable for a carpet cleaner, but it's still heavy to lift, and don't expect it to slide under low furniture. However, they're big, bulky, and difficult to store, not to mention pricey. This tiny but mighty carpet cleaner has a cult following for a reason. "The pre-treat wand was easy to use and really helped the machine remove most of the deep stains.". It removed plenty of cat hair and eliminated lingering odors. Another Alternative: The Shark is great because it's affordable, but if your budget can stretch, the Karcher SC 3 ($200) is better if you want attachments and the option to steam clean harder-to-reach surfaces and your hard floors. In terms of attachments and accessories, this carpet cleaner comes with an eight-foot hose and a pet tool for spot treating stains or tackling hard-to-navigate areas such as stairs or upholstery. For people cleaning up after pets or kids, or anyone with high traffic carpeting, investing in a carpet cleaner gives you the ability to clean your carpets and rugs on your own schedule, without the hassle of renting a machine or hiring a professional. For a deep clean that will wet wash your rugs to lift ingrained dirt and lingering odors, you need a carpet cleaner. Key specificationsClean tank capacity: 3.5 litresDirty tank capacity: 2.9 litresTools included: Upholstery cleaning tool, scrub brush, hard floor cleaning tool, pre-treatment wand, pre-treatment solution, cleaning solutionWeight: 9.6kg. Extra savings up to $15 with TurboTax discount, $10 off $100 Student Finish Line promo code, Extra 20% off sitewide - Dyson promo code 2022, GoPro Hot Deal: $150 off the new HERO10 Black Bones, Samsung promo code - Up to 40% off sitewide, 2022 Cond Nast. Real Simple may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email on this website. Most carpet cleaners come with some detergent, but I had a good experience with Rug Doctor's Commercial Carpet Cleaner ($20). Who it isn't for: People who want a small and quiet carpet cleaner. I don't always want to lug around a big carpet cleaner when my cats inevitably puke on the rug. Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute recommend that you deep clean all your carpets once a year. It has a huge water tank, so theres less emptying and filling required. It's also one of the most expensive carpet cleaners we tested. RELATED: The 10 Best Upholstery Cleaners to Tackle Every Spill and Stain, According to Reviewers. A hard floor cleaning tool is also included, which fits easily onto the base of the carpet cleaner and left our hard floor clean and dry. Try, try, and try again. Leaving our carpet pile well restored and with zero matting this is another Vax that impressed on test. Hoover's SmartWash Pet Carpet Cleaner is a bit more capable than the PowerDash for bigger messes. Some carpet cleaners, such as our top pick, can be used on certain hard floors, but I recommend going for a steam mop like this one instead. But the carpet cleaner is lightweight enough to carry up and down stairs so you can use it wherever you need, although navigating around crevices can still be a bit difficult. RELATED: The Best Mops for Your Home, According to Hours of Real-Life Testing. For expert tips on how to buy a carpet cleaner, Melanie consulted David Ragsdale, production manager at SERVPRO. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED. Most households only need to wash carpets once every six months to a year, but spot cleaners are ideal for treating immediate spills, plus they're easier to store and use. Out of all the commercial-style carpet cleaners we tested, this one was the most effective at removing stains and the easiest to maneuver. Some attachments may be included with the carpet cleaner, while others must be purchased separately. You don't need to have pets to make use of this versatile upright carpet cleaneralthough pet owners will certainly appreciate its ability to tackle pet stains and odors. Look for a carpet cleaner with a powerful motor that can tackle tough stains and a large tank that can cover large areas. It has a relatively narrow cleaning line and is only effective if you go very slowly, so it can take a while to clean a whole room. The machines conquer this challenging job thanks to their clean and dirty tank. Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Deep Cleaner: When it comes to the ability to remove tough stains, this model is up there with our best overall pick. Water and any cleaning solution are kept in the clean tank, then, after you pull the trigger, this solution is sprayed onto the carpet before being sucked back into the dirty water tank. Try one of these three easy methods to make sure your ring fits perfectly, every time. Everything You Need to Work From Home Like a Pro. Carpet cleaners generally come in three different sizes: upright, portable, and commercial. Tackle stubborn stains, ground-in grime, and pesky pet hair with one of these WIRED-tested cleaners. That pristine pile loses its shine and bounce, fibers get tangled with hair, and stains settle in for the long haul. The included pet roll brush helps to lift stubborn stains and the HeatForce technology helps to dry the carpet more quickly. It works well and does not have a strong scent, and you can buy a large jug for cheap. They can be harder to maneuver than regular upright vacuums. Removing the tea stain took longer, but in the end all traces of dirt were removed from both carpet and upholstery on test. Mental health experts explain anhedonia and how you can bounce back from this joyless state of mind. There's a Name for ThatHere Are 8 Ways You Can Break Through It. On the downside, the ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro is very loud (like a jet taking off). We tested a range of carpet cleaners in busy households with aging carpets that have seen some serious action. Carpet cleaners are heavy and bulky, especially when filled with water. From Alexa-powered Echo Dots to gaming laptops, here are all the greatest discounts weve found. There's no pukey grime clogging up hoses like with other spot cleaners I've tried. Although we noted a little moisture left in the carpet immediately after use, once dry the colour was unaffected and there were no water marks to be seen. Each carpet cleaner was used to clean medium-pile carpet samples stained with wet potting soil, orange juice, ketchup, and fresh coffee. We also assess ease of use, considering how easy the machine is to assemble and what extra tools are available. Plus, it automatically switches between wet and dry cleaningsimply push forward to wash, pull back to dry. This little carpet cleaner does come with a dual tank system so you can keep clean and dirty water separate; however, we found the dirty water tank to be somewhat difficult to clean after use. Offers may be subject to change without notice. (Note: Our testers found the hose attachment to be a little difficult to set up on the first try.). We found it to be extremely effective at spot treating stains, second only to the Bissell Little Green. Unfortunately, testers found it bulky and cumbersome to use. The machine glided across the carpet nicely, too. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.