Home » Product Reviews » Best Carpet Cleaner Spray and Stain Removers

Best Carpet Cleaner Spray and Stain Removers

Products recommended in this post contain affiliate links. If you buy something through our posts, we may receive a commission at no extra charge to you. Prices and inventory are accurate as of time of publication.

Introduction


Keeping your house neat and tidy is total bliss, and it feels welcoming and serene. It’s also hard work. Choosing the right devices, routines, and cleaners can simplify the tidying up process a lot!

The carpet is one of the most important items in any room. Clutter and dirt on the rug is such an unwanted thing, but a stain seriously stands out. It needs to be quickly removed to regain the neat feel of your surroundings.

Luckily, there are cleaners that can rid you of almost any kind of stain. They can also eliminate odors, and protect your carpet. We have a few tips and tricks on how to use these products for best results, and we’d gladly share them with you here.

There are many good carpet cleaners in the market, but which one of them tops the list? Read on to find out.

Our Top Picks


This is a list of the best spray carpet cleaners in the market. We chose them based on their efficiency in stain removal, the range of stains they can eliminate, ease of use, where they stand out, and where they can be improved.

1. Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator

This is a powerful carpet cleaner. It focuses more on organic stains of the kind dogs and cats might leave on your rug.

It thoroughly removes the stains thanks to its natural enzymatic bacteria. These cleaning agents are activated when they come in contact with the dirt, and they completely eliminate it. The cleaning action effectively removes the stain and its odor, and it doesn’t leave any residue in the process.

It can work on so many materials, like furniture, clothes, your pets’ living area, wooden floors, and many other surfaces. This way you don’t have to buy a hundred different cleaners.

This cleaner is safe around children and pets. It also doesn’t contain chlorine or hazardous propellants.

It’s made from chemicals that aren’t aggressive, and it doesn’t affect the color or quality of the fabric. For all these reasons, it has the approval of the carpet and rug institute CRI.

Pros

  • Removes a broad range of stains
  • Neutralizes unwanted odors
  • Doesn’t leave a residue
  • Contains natural enzymatic bacteria
  • Color safe as it doesn’t contain chlorine
  • Safe to use around children and pets
  • Certified for use on carpets from the CRI
  • Can be used on many other surfaces
  • Money refund if the consumer is not 100% satisfied

Cons

  • A bit pricey

2. Spot Shot Professional Instant Carpet Stain Remover

This is a tough and very efficient stain remover. It eliminates a broad range of stains like beverages, grease, organic substances, food, ink, lipstick, and lots of other stains.

This versatile cleaner can work equally well on oil-based or water-based stains. It doesn’t matter how recent or old the stain is, it can handle both.

Cleaning with Spot Shot is pretty easy, you just apply it and then blot with a paper towel. It doesn’t leave any residue so you don’t have to follow up with vacuuming or scrubbing.

The one downside we know of, is that it can cause some discoloration to your carpet. This shouldn’t be a problem if you stick to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Pros

  • Removes tough carpet stains without scrubbing
  • Cleans and deodorizes the stained area
  • Prevents stains from reappearing
  • Safe for most carpet material
  • No further cleaning required after spraying
  • Works on a broad range of stain types
  • Removes old stains
  • Moderate price

Cons

  • Could have an effect on the color of the carpet

3. Apex Spot Beater Instant Spot Remover

Apex Spot Beater is an easy-to-use, effective, and instant stain remover. It can remove oil-based and water-based stains, old or new.

It’s an environmentally-friendly cleaner that doesn’t use CFC’s , which are harmful substances that were traditionally used to propel aerosol sprays. It’s non-toxic and non-corrosive, and it has a neutral pH factor, so it’s safe to use on synthetic rugs.

Pros

  • Doesn’t need further cleaning after application
  • Specially made for tough stains
  • Can remove old stains
  • Cleans water based and oil based stains
  • Easy to use
  • Safe for use on synthetic rugs
  • Non-toxic and non-corrosive
  • Has a neutral pH factor
  • Doesn’t contain CFC’s
  • Affordable price

Cons

  • It might have a disagreeable odor to some users
  • Spray aerosols aren’t very focused

4. Folex Professional Carpet Spot Remover

Folex Professional is a broad range cleaner in every way. It effectively removes an assortment of stains, and it can work well on various surfaces.

The stains it can eliminate could be grease, rust, red wine, coffee, grime, blood, ink, cosmetics, or another stubborn stains. It can eliminate an oil-based or water-based smudge. It can also handle the tough old spots that challenge most cleaners.

If you have a pet, then you can appreciate a cleaner that removes pet stains and eliminates the remaining odor. Folex is effective in that aspect too. The deodorization usually discourages your pet from marking that spot as a good place to relieve itself.

It works well on carpets, but it can also handle spills on other surfaces like upholstery, woodwork, and walls. This means you don’t have to buy many other detergents to maintain your house.

If we are talking economy, we should also mention that Folex comes in a 36 Oz bottle, while similarly priced products have a 34 Oz volume.

It’s formulated to be safe for you and your various surfaces, it’s odor free, it can be used on colorfast carpets, and it’s environment-friendly. We certainly like these features.

The company has been around for about 40 years, and they obviously innovated and improved their products constantly. They have also the seal of approval from the CRI.

Pros

  • Broad range stain remover
  • Safe for colors
  • Instant effect
  • Odor free
  • Large 36 Oz bottle
  • Approved by the CRI
  • Non-flammable
  • Non-toxic
  • Discourages re-soiling
  • Company has 40 years of experience
  • Works on many surfaces

Cons

  • A bit pricey

5. Goo Gone Original Spray Gel

The two strong points for Goo Gone spray gel are its ability to remove sticky greasy substances, and that it can be applied to vertical surfaces. It also works on a variety of surfaces from carpet to stone, glass, fabric, plastic, metal, and more.

It’s very effective on this special type of stains, but at the same time, it’s not an aggressive cleaner. It would eliminate stubborn sticky smudges, and it wouldn’t damage the underlying surfaces.

Two more bonus points for this cleaner are its nice citrus smell and affordable price.

Pros

  • Works on vertical surfaces
  • Removes sticky dirt and hard to clean stains
  • Doesn’t harm the underlying surfaces
  • Doesn’ drip if applied on a vertical spot
  • Has a pleasant citrus scent
  • Can be applied safely on various materials
  • Affordable price

Cons

  • Sometimes it leaves a residue that needs scrubbing
  • It may not work on some hard stains like tar
  • Not a broad range cleaner

6. Pure Fibers Oriental Area Rug Stain Lifter

When I first looked at this cleaner, I thought that it’ll just mildly clean delicate rugs. That wasn’t the case at all!

Pure Fibres effectively cleans Oriental rugs, but it can also be used on cotton, viscose, fiber, silk, wool, and other carpet materials.

It’s not specific to mild soiling, there’s a wide variety of stains it can remove, like pet soiling, beverages, and various household spills. Stains on colorfast materials can also be cleaned by Pure Fibers.

It’s a bit pricey, but then again, it’s CRI certified which makes it a dependable product. I believe it has a lot of value for money.

Pros

  • Ideal for oriental and handmade rugs
  • Works well on most kinds of carpets
  • Safe to use on other soft fabric
  • Treats different kinds of stains
  • Made from non-toxic chemicals
  • Protects from re-soiling
  • CRI certified

Cons

  • Works better on recent stains than old ones
  • Doesn’t eliminate odor
  • A bit pricey
  • Doesn’t work too well on pet stains

Getting The Best Cleaning Results


Keeping your carpet in top condition is easy, if you use the right process and products. there are a few tips and tricks you could do that professional cleaners recommend.

To Get the best results from a carpet cleaner spray you can follow these simple steps:


  • Vacuum first
  •  Read the instructions
  • Check if it removes your stain
  • Do a patch test
  • Shake the can
  • Try not to inhale the fumes and keep a distance
  • Leave the cleaner a little on the stain
  • Dab with a damp sponge
  • Don't rub as that will just spread the stain
  • Clean the stain from the outside inward
  • Dry it off gently with a paper towel

And there are of course Carpet cleaning mistakes you can avoid, like putting in too much cleaner, scrubbing, and leaving the cleaning detergent too long.

How a Carpet Cleaner Spray Gets CRI-Certified?

Getting the approval of the carpet and rug institute is not an easy task. The product is thoroughly tested to make sure it’s really effective. It’s also evaluated on seven different aspects:

  • Soil Removal Efficacy

    Some cleaners are only partially successful in removing stains, and some deliver fully what they promise. This assessment is clearly the most fundamental.

  • Re-soiling

    Cleaned spots sometimes attract dirt at a much faster rate than the surrounding areas. A good carpet cleaner avoids that, and it also protects that spot from re-soiling.

  • Surface Appearance Change

    The cleaned surface shouldn’t change its texture or suffer any damages. Aggressive cleaners could remove the stains at the expense of the carpet!

    A good carpet cleaner should maintain the quality of the carpet after a thorough clean. This is usually achieved by using specially formulated and tested chemicals.

  • Colorfastness

    Color changes after a clean up are not uncommon. That’s why most producers recommend trying the product first in a hidden spot.
    pH Level

    The pH level should be between 4 and 10 to make sure that it wouldn’t have an aggressive effect on the carpet material. Good products are usually neutral (pH 7).

  • Optical Brighteners

    These additives are not allowed in CRI approved products, as they change the color of the surface they are used on.

    When a product finally gets the approval, we as consumers know that we can count on it for our cleaning purposes. The manufacturers also benefit from that program. It tells them where they need to improve.

What to Look For in a Carpet Cleaner Spray?


Before buying a carpet cleaner spray consider the following points:

  • Your Needs

    Every household has a unique set of needs. You might have a pet, young children, a garden, or you like to entertain your friends a lot.

    There are cleaners that target a specific type of stain, and others that have a broad range. Choose what works for you.

  • Safety

    ​You’ll use this product in closed spaces, so it’s best to make sure that it’s non-toxic and safe,
    especially if there are kids or pets around.

  • Aerosol or Target

    ​A target canister is more focused than the aerosol type. The latter tends to over-spray to a much wider area than the spot you’re aiming at.

  • Price

    The carpet cleaners in the market have a broad spectrum of prices. Look for the type you need, and the quantity you would be using. Buying in bulk usually saves a lot of cash.

Conclusion

A clean carpet gives a neat feel to the whole room. The opposite is also true. Clutter, dirt, and stains instantly leave a negative effect. A persistent stain is especially annoying because it keeps the room from looking neat.

Maintaining your house should be easy, and it shouldn’t break the bank. That’s why we chose a very effective cleaner as our top pick. Folex Professional Carpet Spot Remover is a broad-range stain remover. It can work on carpets and many other surfaces. It also has a lot of value for money.

Folex Professional is environment-friendly, it’s made by a company that’s been in the field for four decades, and it has a CRI certification.

Another good cleaner is Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator , especially if you have a pet in the house. It removes organic stains, it’s safe around kids and pets, and even though it’s very powerful, it’s actually quite gentle on your surfaces. 

10bestcarpetcleaners.com


You may love to read

Top Editor's Choice on Carpet Cleaner Spray

SaleBestseller No. 1
FOLEX Instant Carpet Spot Remover, 32oz
Water-based, non-flammable and odor free; VOC, solvent, and petroleum free; Safe to use around children and pets if used as directed
SaleBestseller No. 2
Bissell Little Green Pet Deluxe Portable Carpet Cleaner and Car/Auto...
PORTABLE and VERSATILE DESIGN. Easily clean multiple surfaces throughout the home.; LARGE TANK CAPACITY. 48 oz. tank means you can clean more between refills.
SaleBestseller No. 4
Windex Glass and Window Cleaner Spray Bottle, New Packaging Designed to...
Committed to bottles made from 100% recovered coastal plastic*; Windex Glass Cleaner leaves an unbeatable streak-free shine**
Bestseller No. 7
Stardrops - The Pink Stuff - The Miracle Multi-Purpose Cleaner Spray- 25.36...
NEW The Pink Stuff Multi-Purpose Spray; A versatile multi-purpose cleaner spray for hard surfaces is tough on stains
Bestseller No. 10
Febreze Touch Fabric Spray, Sneaker Balls Alternative, Couch Cleaner,...
Get a burst of freshness with every touch with Febreze Touch Fabric Spray​; Bring elevated touchable scents to your chaise, throw pillows, and area rugs