Got carpet? While a vacuum is essential to keep your home clean on a day to day basis, you might also want to invest in a carpet cleaner. They’re great for treating stains as well as just keeping your carpets fresh and looking spotless. And if you have a pet, you’ll definitely want to consider getting one to deal with pet odors, especially if your four-legged friend is prone to accident
A number one best seller in its category, this carpet cleaner from Hoover wins the top award for its performance. Featuring a SpinScrub Brush System, it can clean the fibers of the carpet from all angles to get the most thorough wash. Using water and detergent first, the device then rinses the fibers with just water to remove any residue. Heated air is also released to help lift stains and dry the area quicker. And if you’re working with stairs or hard-to-reach places, there’s an eight foot hose and upholstery tool that can assist. Weighing in about 18 pounds, it’s one of the lightest uprights available.
Customers who have purchased this carpet cleaner have been mostly satisfied with it. One said they used it on carpet that hadn’t been washed since it was installed almost 10 years ago, and it came out looking as though it had just been installed. Another said it removed almost all the pet urine on the floor from a Best Carpet Cleaning Machines dog who was not yet house-trained with just a couple of cycles. In terms of critical reviews, some have reported water leaking from the bottom or parts breaking over time.
For those who are looking for a more portable option, this compact spot cleaner from Bissell is a great choice. Weighing in at 17 pounds, it’s light enough to carry around the house and also includes a long, 22-foot power cord to move around easily. There’s no assembly required for your first use, and it’s foolproof to operate. Just fill the tank with cleaning formula, plug it in, turn it on, and clean away. It has powerful suction that helps lift stains, and a 3-inch tough stain tool for those spots that are really set in.
Customers who have used this have been mostly satisfied with the product. Many praised how easy it is to use and how well it gets the job done. One said even though it’s compact, it works just as well as the industrial ones you can rent. Those with pets said it’s great for dealing with animal mishaps, with one adding it does a much better job than just a regular carpet spray. Some have reported issues with the hose splitting after some use, but the majority of customers have said they’re happy with the product.
Best Budget: BISSELL SpotLifter 2X Portable Deep Carpet Cleaner, 1719
BISSELL SpotLifter 2X Portable Deep Carpet Cleaner, 1719
This hand-held carpet cleaner is around six pounds and cordless which makes it a convenient tool for cleaning up anywhere around the house or in the car. With about a 15-minute run-time, this small but mighty machine not only sucks debris up and brushes soiled spots to help remove stains, but it also helps with odor removal, too. Featuring a dual tank system, you can fill one with clean water and solution while the other one will collect the dirty water.
One customer wrote that it’s a good buy if you’re looking for a spot cleaner that’s affordable, adding they would not hesitate to buy it again. Another said that it cleans pet stains very well. Some have reported issues with the water leaking if the machine is held at the wrong angle, as well as issues with the battery, but many reviewers said that for the low price, it’s a good machine.
Runner Up, Best Budget: Hoover Spot Scrubber Multi-Surface Cleaner
Hoover Spot Scrubber Multi-Surface Cleaner, FH10025 – Corded
This compact little carpet cleaner by Hoover is heavier than our other budget pick at 14 pounds, but it’s suitable for heavier duty on all kinds of rugs and carpets; curtains; upholstery; and even hard floors, too. There is also a carry handle to make it more portable, and the 5-foot stretch hose also means it can get the grime from harder-to-reach areas.
Owners say it’s easy to fill the Spot Scrubber’s hinged tanks with cleaning solution and water. Like most budget carpet cleaners, this one doesn’t heat water for you, but users can add hot tap water for a deeper clean. Most reviewers are happy with the job this little scrubber does, especially for the money. However, some users caution that they’ve dealt with leaks, and some say the hose is just a little too short, with a sprayer that sometimes spits water too far to the sides.
Best High End: Bissell 86T3/86T3Q Big Green Deep Cleaning Carpet Cleaner
Bissell 86T3/86T3Q Big Green Deep Cleaning Professional Carpet Cleaner
Looking to invest in a high quality carpet cleaner? This one from Bissell carries a five-star rating from customers for its performance. It has large capacity tanks, which is a time-saver since that means fewer trips back and forth to the sink, if you have a larger home. It cleans on both the forward and backward passes and has rotating DirtLifter power brushes that give the carpet a deeper clean. Weighing 51 pounds, it’s not a lightweight appliance, but you can be assured that it’s sturdy and durable.
Customers who have purchased this machine have been extremely satisfied with it. Many have uploaded pictures to show the effects of the carpet cleaner, and you can definitely tell the difference between the clean and dirty areas. Many have praised it also for the fact that the carpet dries quickly after use since the machine sucks up the water as it’s working. Some have called it the best carpet cleaner they ever used. Some of the critical reviews deal with issues of it needing repairs or issues with it leaking dirty water. However, the majority of those who bought it would recommend it.
Best Compact: BISSELL Little Green ProHeat Compact Carpet Cleaner, 14259
BISSELL Little Green ProHeat Compact Carpet Cleaner, 14259
Looking for a little machine that still gets the job done? This 13-pound one is easily portable and does a great job of deep cleaning floors. Featuring a built-in water heater and separate clean and dirty water tanks, it also comes with a flexible hose, a special brush for tough stains, and a spraying crevice tool. It’s also one of the more eco-friendly models since it’s made of 50 percent recycled plastic.
Most customers who have reviewed the Bissell Little Green Carpet Cleaner were satisfied with its performance. While it’s not a steam cleaner, it does have good suction to clean the floors, said one reviewer. Customers have also praised its attachments and the built-in heater. Those who weren’t happy with it reported leaking and poor suction. But most who rated it said they were pleased with the machine and its performance.
