The best carpet shampoos neutralize odors and clean tough stains. We rounded up our top five favorite carpet shampoos available online for affordable prices.
While comfortable, carpet is easy to stain and can show wear in high traffic areas over time. Designed to tackle tough stains and eliminate strong odors, carpet shampoo can help restore carpet to its best days. Whether you need a special formula for pet messes or a budget-friendly option for everyday cleaning, you’ve got plenty of choices.
To help you find the best fit for your home, we tested the top carpet shampoos to evaluate their cleaning power, ease of use, and overall value. Here are our top picks.
Top 5 Carpet Shampoos
- Best Overall: Bissell Pro Max Clean + Protect
- Best Value: OxiClean for Large Areas
- Best for Pet Owners: Hoover Pet 2x Concentrate
- Best Enzymatic Formula: Rug Doctor Pet
- Most Eco-Friendly: Sunny & Honey Carpet Miracle
Compare Top Carpet Shampoos
| Product | Quantity | Recommended Surfaces | Formula Type |
|---|---|---|---|
Bissell Pro Max Clean + Protect Carpet ShampooCheck Price | 48-ounce bottle | Carpets, upholstery, rugs | Biodegradeable |
OxiClean Large Area Carpet CleanerCheck Price | 64-ounce bottle | Carpets and rugs | Hydrogen peroxide |
Hoover Pet 2x Carpet Cleaning SolutionCheck Price | 64-ounce bottle | Carpets and rugs | Enzymatic formula |
Rug Doctor Pet Deep Carpet CleanerCheck Price | 96-ounce bottle | Carpets, upholstery, rugs | Enzymatic formula |
Sunny & Honey Carpet Miracle CleanerCheck Price | 32-ounce bottle | Carpets and rugs | Biodegradeable |
Best Carpet Shampoo Overall
Bissell Pro Max Clean + Protect Carpet Shampoo
This carpet cleaning 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.
Pros and Cons of Bissell Pro Max Clean + Protect Carpet Shampoo
- Has built-in StainProtect to prevent future stains
- Can be used in most upright carpet cleaning machines
- Cleans carpet, upholstery, and area rugs
- Has a strong fragrance that may bother some users
- Has an expensive per-ounce price
Key Features
What People Are Saying About The Bissell Pro Max Clean + Protect Carpet Shampoo
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 Large Area Carpet Cleaner
This OxiClean carpet stain remover 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.
Pros and Cons of OxiClean Large Area Carpet Cleaner
- Works with OxiClean’s other products for deep, bespoke cleaning
- Works on tough stains, including wine and coffee
- Works in any owned or rented carpet cleaning machine
- Can’t use on wool, leather, or silk
- Can cause skin and eye irritation
Key Features
What People Are Saying About The OxiClean Large Area Carpet Cleaner
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 for Pet Owners
Hoover Pet 2x Carpet Cleaning Solution
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.
Pros and Cons of Hoover Pet 2x Carpet Cleaning Solution
- Can use the cap to measure the solution
- Keeps carpets first-day fresh for up to seven days
- Has a fresh cotton breeze scent
- Works only in upright carpet cleaners
- Doesn’t have a hypoallergenic formula
Key Features
What People Are Saying About The Hoover Pet 2x Carpet Cleaning Solution
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.
Best Enzymatic Formula
Rug Doctor Pet Deep Carpet Cleaner
This shampoo guarantees a thorough and professional carpet 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.
Pros and Cons of Rug Doctor Pet Deep Carpet Cleaner
- Smells clean like soap
- Breaks down tough pet stains, including saliva, urine, feces, and vomit
- Has a three-in-one formula that cleans, deodorizes, and prevents future stains
- Can’t measure the product in the cap
- Comes in a heavy, bulky jug
Key Features
What People Are Saying About The Rug Doctor Pet Deep Carpet Cleaner
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 Miracle Cleaner
In busy homes with young kids and pets, urine, drool, vomit, food, feces, and drink stains are common. This shampoo tackles these accidents with a biodegradable, cruelty-free, and non-toxic formula.
Pros and Cons of Sunny & Honey Carpet Miracle Cleaner
- Hasn’t been tested on animals
- Has a mint scent
- Comes with a 60-day guarantee
- Comes in a small 32-ounce bottle
- May not work as well as shampoos that are made with harsh chemicals
Key Features
What People Are Saying About The Sunny & Honey Carpet Miracle Cleaner
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 and find the best overall option for your home, read our guide below.
Carpet Cleaner Compatibility
You can use most carpet shampoos in any type of 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 pet hair and from pet urine as well as other messes like vomit. Shampoo carpet cleaners also help pick up grime and general buildup on your rugs. For red wine and more of the toughest stains, you may need a stronger, more concentrated product. Some carpet cleaners also work on other surfaces like hardwood floors.
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 or one that has more cleaning power.
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 for spot cleaning. If your carpet has significant stains, it may be better to opt to hire a professional carpet cleaner to perform a deep clean.
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 giving the stain proper drying time. Then, use a vacuum cleaner 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. Cleaning machine-washable rugs is especially simple—with the right cleaner, stains will come out in the laundry without the need for specialized equipment.
How do I choose a carpet cleaner?
Some of the best carpet cleaners have these features which increase their ease of use:
- Multiple attachments
- Long, flexible hose
- Portable build with a lightweight frame or wheels
- Separate clean water and dirty water tanks
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