It's tough and frustrating to remove stains, pet messes, and odors from your carpet. But with carpet shampoo, you can easily lift grime, dirt, and foul odors to leave your carpet looking and smelling brand-new with chemical surfactants or plant-based ingredients. Both of them have their own pros and cons, so scroll down to our buying guide to know more about which type works best for you!
To further help you with choosing a carpet shampoo, we've compiled a list of the 10 products that are highly ranked by reviewers. Our top pick is Bissell's Pet Pro Oxy Urine Eliminator. It worked wonders in eliminating pet stains and odors. Plus, it's biodegradable and free from harsh chemicals like phosphates. Want more options? Read on!
Whether you're looking for a carpet shampoo that provides a deep clean or a quick solution to remove stains, this list has various options for you to choose from.
$21.99
Amount | 48 oz. |
---|---|
Surfaces | Carpet |
Surfactants | Nonionic surfactants |
Scented | Yes |
$29.97
Amount | 128 oz. |
---|---|
Surfaces | Carpet, rug, furniture |
Surfactants | Polymer (anionic surfactant) |
Scented | Yes |
$16.97
Amount | 32 oz. |
---|---|
Surfaces | Carpet, upholstery |
Surfactants | Nonionic surfactant |
Scented | Yes |
$15.94
Amount | 50 oz. |
---|---|
Surfaces | Carpet, upholstery |
Surfactants | Nonionic surfactants |
Scented | Yes |
ZUCEC128
$8.49
Amount | 1 gal. |
---|---|
Surfaces | Carpet, upholstery |
Surfactants | Not specified |
Scented | Yes |
$19.79
Amount | 64 oz. |
---|---|
Surfaces | All washable fibers |
Surfactants | Plant-based surfactants (cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium lauryl sulfate) |
Scented | Yes (derived from essential oils) |
CWS20364
$19.99
Amount | 64 oz. |
---|---|
Surfaces | Carpet, upholstery, floor mats |
Surfactants | Sodium hydroxide, sodium benzenesulfonate |
Scented | Yes |
$15.99
Amount | 25 oz. |
---|---|
Surfaces | Carpet, upholstery |
Surfactants | Plant-based cleansers (coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside, lauramine oxide) |
Scented | Yes (derived from essential oils) |
$15.54
Amount | 60 oz. |
---|---|
Surfaces | Carpet |
Surfactants | Not specified |
Scented | Yes |
Image | 1 ![]() Bissell | 2 ![]() Stuart Pet Supply | 3 ![]() Sunny & Honey | 4 ![]() Kirby | 5 ![]() Hoover | 6 ![]() Zep | 7 ![]() Biokleen | 8 ![]() Chemical Guys | 9 ![]() Puracy | 10 ![]() Resolve |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Pet Pro Oxy Urine Eliminator | Deep Clean Carpet Cleaner and Deodorizer | Carpet Miracle | Carpet Shampoo | Free & Clean | All-Purpose Carpet Shampoo | Carpet & Rug Shampoo | Foaming Citrus Fabric Clean | Natural Carpet & Upholstery Shampoo | 2X Concentrated Original Formula |
Features | Carpet Shampoo to Clear Urine Odors | Strong Shampoo for Heavy Stains | Certified Cruelty-Free Formula With a Strong, Lingering Scent | Dry Foam Formula With Low Sudsing | Dye-Free, Hypoallergenic Shampoo | Low-Foam Shampoo for a Quick and Easy Clean | Plant-Based Shampoo for Gentle Stain Removal | High-Suds Shampoo With a Lemony Scent | Plant-Based Surfactants to Gently Remove Stains | Carpet Shampoo for Deep-Cleaning Machines |
Price | $21.99 | $29.97 | $16.97 | $25.48 | $15.94 | $8.49 | $19.79 | $19.99 | $15.99 | $15.54 |
Amount | 48 oz. | 128 oz. | 32 oz. | 1 gal. | 50 oz. | 1 gal. | 64 oz. | 64 oz. | 25 oz. | 60 oz. |
Surfaces | Carpet | Carpet, rug, furniture | Carpet, upholstery | Carpet | Carpet, upholstery | Carpet, upholstery | All washable fibers | Carpet, upholstery, floor mats | Carpet, upholstery | Carpet |
Surfactants | Nonionic surfactants | Polymer (anionic surfactant) | Nonionic surfactant | Not specified | Nonionic surfactants | Not specified | Plant-based surfactants (cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium lauryl sulfate) | Sodium hydroxide, sodium benzenesulfonate | Plant-based cleansers (coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside, lauramine oxide) | Not specified |
Scented | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (derived from essential oils) | Yes | Yes (derived from essential oils) | Yes |
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When choosing a carpet shampoo, there are a lot of factors that you'll need to take into consideration, including your cleaning needs and the machine you're using.
Carpets can be made from a variety of materials, from wool, to silk, to polyester. So it's important that you read the label carefully to make sure that the shampoo truly works for your type of carpet.
The majority of carpet shampoos should work for artificial fibers, wool, and silk. Not many products can clean plant-fiber materials such as grass, bamboo, and woven sisal. So screen through the product's description or even contact the manufacturer to ensure that the shampoo is compatible with those materials.
Some all-purpose products can also clean flooring besides carpet like car seats, floor mats, and upholstery. So look for them if you want a versatile shampoo!
Keep in mind that there are various kinds of carpet cleaners, and not all shampoos work for every single machine. Some products only work for steam cleaners, while some work for encapsulation machines.
So read the product's description carefully to know what machines a carpet shampoo is compatible with. There are all-purpose shampoos that work for a variety of carpet cleaners as well, so choose that if you need a versatile product!
Also, leading carpet cleaner manufacturers like Hoover and Bissell create their own carpet shampoos. Choose them if you own any of the models by those specific brands as they will produce the best results.
Carpet shampoos derive their effectiveness from cleansing surfactants, so it's important to know which ones can effectively help you remove stains and dirt.
Anionic surfactants such as ammonium, sodium, and sulfate are commonly used. While they're not as effective in getting rid of oily messes, they'll work just fine on regular stains.
Nonionic surfactants, including ethoxylates, cocamide, and alkoxylates are great for taking care of greasy spills. They are low-foaming and won't leave behind a lot of residue. They work well for extraction cleaners.
Plant-based cleansing agents such as decyl glucoside, lauramine oxide, or coconut-based surfactants such as coco-glucoside and cocamidopropyl betaine are also powerful and can help you eliminate dirt and grime. They are less likely to trigger allergic reactions if you accidentally touch the solution, and can be more suitable for those with sensitive skin.
For pet messes and odors, go for products that rely on natural fruit enzymes such as lime, grapefruit, and orange. Odors are tough to remove, as they sink deep into the carpet fiber. Thankfully, enzymes can accelerate the breakdown process of the odor-causing molecules to effectively lift odors.
If you're trying to mask foul odors such as urine and poop, you might want to choose shampoos that contain fragrances. However, heavily-perfumed products might be too overwhelming for those with fragrance sensitivity and can even cause irritation.
Usually, carpet shampoos harness the power of essential oils with strong anti-bacterial properties like peppermint and lavender to get to the root of the problem and eliminate odor-causing bacteria.
Usually, carpet shampoos with a watery consistency contain a high percentage of water and a low amount of surfactants, so they won't be able to clean tough stains.
On the other hand, concentrated shampoos have a much thicker texture and work for both light and heavy stains. Simply dilute the solution according to the product's instructions when dealing with different types of messes.
Concentrated ones are a better choice for those concerned about the environment as well. Since you don't have to use a lot of solution to clean your carpet, a concentrated product will likely last you a longer time, and that means less packaging used.
Before applying the carpet shampoo all over your carpet, do a patch test to ensure that it won't discolor or cause damage to your carpet. Apply the solution to a small area of your carpet that is not highly visible and wait for a bit. If there is no shrinkage, discoloring, or any other unwanted side effects, you can proceed to a larger area!
Also, when adding the shampoo to your carpet cleaner, only pour the amount of soap that is suggested or even less than that. A large amount might end up clogging your shampooer.
If you're trying to give your home a deep clean, we have some fantastic products that can help you do so! Check out our articles for some suggestions.
Carpet shampoos will help you remove all the mess and tough stains. Make sure to pick a shampoo formulated with effective surfactants, and consider a fragrance-free product if you have fragrance sensitivity.
Hopefully, our buying guide has provided you with some useful tips and tricks, so that you're ready to make your final decision!
Author: Thuy Nguyen
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