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Last updated: 17 Aug 2022
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The Best Carpet Cleaners

Best Overall
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Vax Carpet Cleaner
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Compact
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Bissel Carpet Cleaner
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Heavy Duty
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Rug Doctor Carpet Cleaner
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Great Scent
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Vanish Carpet Cleaner
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Cleans Quickly
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Dr. Beckmann Carpet Cleaner
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By Editor
Published 17 Aug 2022
Show contents
  • 1 Vax Carpet Cleaner
  • 2 Bissel Carpet Cleaner
  • 3 Rug Doctor Carpet Cleaner
  • 4 Vanish Carpet Cleaner
  • 5 Dr. Beckmann Carpet Cleaner

Carpet cleaners lift dirt, stains and impurities from carpets and rugs with a shampoo and water solution or a self-drying formula. Self-drying cleaners come in liquid or spray forms and may need a vacuum cleaner. Carpet cleaners are convenient for most homeowners and help clean up after children or pets. Without further delay, here are our favourite carpet cleaners. 

1

Vax Carpet Cleaner

– Best Overall
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Key Features

This carpet cleaner is available with an optional cleaning solution and features a top-filling water tank. It also features an expandable hose and detachable nozzle for cleaning mattresses or furniture. 

THE SCOOP

This Vax upright carpet cleaner features a rotating five-brush system and three separate tanks for clean and used water. It deep cleans carpet piles up to 10.5mm in length and boasts separate wash and rinse modes. The rinse mode quickly removes excess cleanser and handles leftover grime. This carpet cleaning machine suits everyday stains like coffee, wine or pet accidents. 

Pros
  • Ideal for thick carpets. 
  • Features a quick clean mode that dries carpets in under an hour. 
  • Ideal for car upholstery cleaning. 
  • Cleans carpet edges with ease.
Cons
  • Its weight and bulk make it hard to manoeuvre. 
2

Bissel Carpet Cleaner

– Compact
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Key Features

 

This carpet cleaner is ideal for small apartments and offers comparable cleaning power to professional cleaning. It comes with a practical set of cleaning accessories for domestic cleaning. 

THE SCOOP

This Vax upright carpet cleaner features a rotating five-brush system and three separate tanks for clean and used water. It deep cleans carpet piles up to 10.5mm in length and boasts separate wash and rinse modes. The rinse mode quickly removes excess cleanser and handles leftover grime. This carpet cleaning machine suits everyday stains like coffee, wine or pet accidents. 

Pros
  • It is compatible with most carpet cleaning solutions. 
  • Easy to assemble and use. 
  • Ideal for old, set-in stains.
Cons
  • Its wheel design hampers edge cleaning abilities. 
  • Pre-treat stains before use for best results.
3

Rug Doctor Carpet Cleaner

– Heavy Duty
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Key Features

This carpet cleaner is ideal for large rooms and offers moderate suction on a medium-height pile. It is excellent for most upholstered furniture and short to medium carpet piles. 

THE SCOOP

This carpet cleaner comes fully assembled and features a detachable tool caddy. It features marked detergent measuring caps, an ergonomic handle and a broad profile. This carpet cleaner has back-facing water jets to soak stubborn stains. It boasts gold standard certification from the Carpet and Rug Institute. 

Pros
  • Helps remove musty odours. 
  • The tanks are easy to remove and fill with wide openings. 
  • Comes with an easy-to-use upholstery attachment.
Cons
  • Needs constant refilling for moderate jobs. 
  • Its accessories are difficult to clean.
4

Vanish Carpet Cleaner

– Great Scent
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Key Features

This carpet cleaner works with a dry brush and standard vacuum cleaner. It is great for fabrics that can tolerate wet cleaning and do not suit velvet or brocade finishes. 

THE SCOOP

This canned foaming carpet shampoo removes dirt, pet hair and common odours. Its bleach-free formula includes powerful yet gentle conditioning agents to soften carpet fibres. This carpet cleaning shampoo functions best on pre-treated stains and dries in about two hours. It removes some biological stains with repeated treatments. 

Pros
  • Safe on most colours and fabrics. 
  • Leaves behind a mild, pleasant scent.
  • Neutralises pet odours.
Cons

Not for set-in stains.

5

Dr. Beckmann Carpet Cleaner

– Cleans Quickly
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Key Features

 This carpet cleaner requires testing before use and includes clear usage instructions for first-time users. The scrubbing brush features gentle, colour-fast bristles that suit most carpet types. 

THE SCOOP

This carpet stain cleaner is suitable for grease, juice, blood and lipstick stains. It features a bubbling action and includes a foam and nylon cleaning brush. This cleaner dissolves most stains in three minutes and does not require scrubbing or vacuuming. Its organic alcohol and active oxygen blend work on fresh or dry discolouration. 

Pros
  • A little product goes a long way
  • Does not require additional tools or machinery. 
  • Does not leave behind any residue.
Cons
  • Not for large-scale cleaning. 

Buying Guide

Carpet cleaners serve carpets of all types. Get to know your existing carpets and rugs to determine the best care. Luckily, most carpets come with a cleaning instructions label and fibre content information. Refer to these before choosing a cleaning machine.

  • Carpet Type: Synthetic carpets with a low to medium pile are long-wearing and clean well with most domestic carpet cleaners. Delicate materials like sisal or animal-based rugs require a delicate cleaning process and mild products. Choose a carpet cleaner with soft bristles and a gentle cleaning action when shopping for aged carpets.  
  • Carpet Cleaner Tools: Most carpet cleaners need a liquid cleaning solution. These are widely available at supermarkets and hardware stores, but price points vary by brand and features. Choose a carpet cleaner that works best with a cleaning liquid you can afford. 
  • Carpet Size: Small rooms or rugs fare well with a small carpet cleaning device. A more robust model is best for cleaning projects with a larger surface area. Heavy-duty carpet cleaners may need copious amounts of clean water and cleaning solution. Be prepared to change these regularly. 

FAQ

Q: What is the best cleaning solution for my carpet cleaning machine?

A: Before discussing the best cleaning solution, let's discuss the best water for your cleaning machine. Clean, hot tap water is best, as heat helps remove stains and odours. However, mineral-rich tap water can cause build-up in your cleaning machine. If your water supply contains heavy minerals, use distilled water.  Carpet cleaning shampoos typically include Tetrasodium EDTA and perfumed cleansers. These work best for simple messes brought on by non-biological staining substances. To protect sensitive nostrils, some are unscented. Always verify the compatibility and use of conventional carpet cleaning shampoos. Pet stains caused by urine and other waste need an enzyme-based cleaner. Enzyme-based shampoos typically include a scented or unscented surfactant and an odour-eating bacteria like bacillus. The bacteria convert all protein matter to water and carbon dioxide, which the surfactant strips away. 

Q: How do I care for my carpets?

A: Regular carpet care keeps them clean and allergen-free. Use a high-suction vacuum cleaner on all carpeting at least once a week. Vacuum models vary by suction and power, so choose a vacuum designed for carpets. If you have pets, sprinkle an odour-neutralizer on your carpets before each vacuuming to keep odours at bay.  It is best to deep clean carpeting in high-traffic areas once a month with a machine. Deep cleaning with water-based devices or a foaming spray lifts embedded dirt and bacteria. Households with many pets can also benefit from once-monthly deep cleanings. For lesser-abused carpets, deep clean them twice per year.  Keep a store-bought spot cleaner for emergency stains. Use clean, white microfiber cloths or lint-free paper towels with spot cleaning products. A spot-cleaning arsenal should include white vinegar, baking soda and dish soap. Dish soap and clean water are ideal for non-critical stains. 

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By Editor
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