The 5 Best Carpet Cleaners for Pet Stains, Tested and Reviewed
Updated: Apr. 16, 2024
We tested and reviewed the best carpet cleaners for pets to help you select the best machine to eliminate all kinds of stains and odors.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Finding the best carpet cleaners for pets can be a challenge. It seems like there’s as many models of carpet cleaning machines on the market as there are dog breeds. And every dog lover, cat lover, bird lover and all other types of pet lovers have different needs when it comes to carpet care. Maybe they have puppies who aren’t housebroken, or cats with territory marking issues. There are carpet cleaners that are better for small messes and others for big rooms. Here are what our tests found were the best carpet cleaners for pets.
Allison Robicelli for Family Handyman
Best Overall Carpet Cleaner for Pets
Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet Carpet Cleaner
The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam pet carpet cleaner is an ultra-powerful upright carpet cleaner that uses proprietary HydroSteam technology to break up tough, set-in stains and messes that are difficult to clean, such as spills of oily or sticky substances. It offers three cleaning modes to handle jobs of all sizes, and the quick-dry mode gets carpets dry within 30 minutes. In addition to cleaning the floors using its upright design, this best Bissell carpet cleaner has an attached hose for cleaning upholstery, stairs and messes in hard-to-reach places.
Just like an upright vacuum cleaner, the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam uses two rotating brushes to remove surface dirt and debris from carpets. The patented DirtLifter PowerBrushes and powerful suction lift up dirt that regular vacuums leave behind, and work cleaning solution deep into the carpet fibers, quickly scrubbing away stains. For stubborn spots, there’s a steam pretreat mode, as well as a quick-dry mode to thoroughly remove excess moisture. We were beyond impressed when we put this Bissell carpet cleaner to the test, as you can see in our full Bissell Revolution HydroSteam review.
Pros
- Cleans carpets as good, if not better, than professional machines
- Works spectacularly on old messes and stubborn stains
- Easy to operate
- Eliminates messes quickly and thoroughly
- Offers a quick-dry mode
Cons
- Pricey (but well worth it, in our opinion!)
- Heavier than other models
Allison Robicelli for Family Handyman
Best Budget Carpet Cleaner for Pets
Hoover PowerDash Pet+ Compact Carpet Cleaner
While not as powerful or impressive as the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam pet carpet cleaner, the Hoover PowerDash Pet+ is a fraction of both the weight and price, and is one of the best carpet cleaners if one of your top priorities is wallet-friendliness. An antimicrobial brush roll lifts up dirt as well as odor-causing bacteria, and a removable brush guard makes it easy to remove fur and debris that may get caught in the bristles. It has a decently sized dual water tank that keeps clean and dirty water separate, and a heating function helps carpets dry in under 45 minutes.
What this carpet cleaner lacks in horsepower it makes up for in portability; weighing in at barely 13 pounds, the Hoover PowerDash Pet is easy to navigate around the carpet and carry from room to room. But less horsepower also means it’s less effective than heavier models. It took at least five passes for us to get a fresh pet stain out of carpet, and wasn’t able to fully remove set-in stains unless they were pretreated.
But if price is important and you don’t need to deep clean your carpets regularly, the Hoover PowerDash Pet+ is a fine choice. It may take a little longer to get the job done, but it will get done, and that’s what’s important.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Weighs less than 13 pounds
- Compact design
- Easy access to cleaning tank
- Simple controls
Cons
- Not as powerful or effective as our top pick
Allison Robicelli for Family Handyman
Best Spot Carpet Cleaner for Pets
Bissell Little Green HydroSteam Pet Carpet Cleaner
The Little Green HydroSteam Pet is one of Bissell’s top-of-the-line spot cleaners, and when we put it to the test ourselves, we found it to be well worth the price. This is a hefty, well-built machine that’s easy to operate, and is backed up with a three-year warranty. The HydroSteam technology is a worthwhile upgrade, pulling up even deep set-in stains in seconds. In fact, the biggest issue we found with this best Bissell carpet cleaner is that it might clean too well. It removes spots so well, the treated areas will stand out if the rest of your carpet is dirty!
This best carpet spot cleaner comes with three cleaning modes: SteamWash for tough stains, Steam for upholstery, grout and tile and Wash for pet accidents and fresh stains. While we wish the hose was a tiny bit longer, it’s still easy to clean tight, hard-to-reach areas, thanks to the Little Green HydroSteam’s portability. It also includes a relatively large 64-ounce water tank, so you won’t need to constantly refill your machine while cleaning. But take note of this important carpet cleaning hack: Always remember to dump out the dirty water tank after using, or else you’ll get blasted with a funky smell the next time you turn this machine on.
Pros
- Impressively powerful spot-cleaning machine
- Makes quick work of tough stains
- Eliminates the need for elbow grease
- Portable
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- Pricier than competing spot cleaners (but well worth it, in our opinion!)
Allison Robicelli for Family Handyman
Best Smart Carpet Cleaner for Pets
Tineco Carpet One Smart Carpet Cleaner
Plenty of home appliances have been upgraded with tech integration, so it makes sense that carpet cleaning machines would get the same treatment. The Tineco Carpet One has an iLoop smart dust sensor that detects the level of dirt in carpets, adjusting its settings to tackle the job with just the right amount of cleaning solution and suction. You’ll be able to follow along with what it’s doing via a light-emitting diode (LED) display screen. You can also choose to connect to the Tineco Carpet One with a special app on your smartphone.
The Tineco Carpet One’s heater maintains a water temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit to remove stains quickly, and blows 167-degree air into carpet fibers when in drying mode. When we put this smart carpet cleaner to the test, we found its drying capabilities second to none. As for picking up dirt, it did a great job picking up everyday debris, loose dirt and urine accidents. However, it didn’t fare as well with solid pet messes, which it didn’t seem to tackle at all when we ran this upright machine straight over it. We ended up having to use the attachable hose and stain remover tool to scrub it out, which isn’t an ideal situation for pet owners with poop problems. However, if you’re looking to deal with urine stains or everyday dirt, it’s an excellent carpet cleaning model.
Pros
- iLoop smart dust sensor that connects to smartphone
- Easy to operate
- Excellent drying function
- Good for cleaning large rooms
Cons
- Not good for solid or sticky spills
Allison Robicelli for Family Handyman
Best Carpet Cleaner for Area Rugs
Bissell Crosswave HydroSteam Plus Wet/Dry Vac
The Bissell Crosswave HydroSteam Plus is a wet/dry vac that lets you vacuum, wash and steam floors at the same time. This floor cleaning machine is made for tackling big messes, as well as the day-to-day dirt and debris that collect in cracks and corners. It’s made for use with a specialized cleaning formula that steams and sanitizes hardwood, tile and other flat floors, as well as low-pile area rugs and carpets.
The Bissell Crosswave HydroSteam Plus employs two-tank technology that ensures you don’t end up cleaning your floors with dirty water, and has a self-cleaning cycle to run between uses to make sure one mess doesn’t carry over to the next. When used with Bissell’s hard floor sanitize formula in the tank, this machine eliminates 99.9% of bacteria on floors. A special brush roll helps prevent pet hair from getting tangled up in the machine, and LED headlights help you see what parts of the floor still need your attention. Check out our full review of the Bissell Crosswave HydroSteam Plus.
Pros
- Incredible multi-functional cleaning power
- Easy to operate
- Eliminates messes quickly and thoroughly
- Works spectacularly on old messes and stubborn stains
- Lights on the front help ensure you don’t miss a single spot
- Large cleaning tank with easy-to-read instructions
Cons
- Pricier and heavier than other models on this list (but it includes vacuuming and steam cleaning in one!)
What to Look for When Buying the Best Carpet Cleaner for Pets
When purchasing a carpet cleaner for pets, look for models with powerful suction capabilities to extract dirt and water efficiently. While cordless models are convenient, rechargeable batteries can’t provide the sort of horsepower needed for a powerful clean. Look for something compatible with the type of carpet you have; the best carpet cleaners have adjustable settings with simple controls that let you switch between functions.
If you’ll be using your machine to clean messes on stairs and/or upholstery, look for something with a hose and detachable cleaning tools. A carpet cleaner with a large water tank will make cleaning faster, since it won’t require frequent refills. It’s also a good idea to check customer reviews for details on how easy it is to navigate your carpet cleaner around the house, and how it handles in tight spaces and around furniture.
Why You Should Trust Us
We launched our carpet cleaner review series in response to reader interest, and have put some of the top carpet cleaning machines to the test in real-world conditions. In addition to this round-up, we’ve written full detailed reviews of our top pick, the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam, as well as the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus, which is the best cleaner for hard floors and area rubs. Along with our testing, we also conduct extensive research on all the products we choose to review, which includes reading reviews from real customers, so we know exactly what, if any, problems to look out for when trying these machines ourselves.
How We Found the Best Carpet Cleaners for Pets
The house where we tested all five carpet cleaning machines (as well as one additional carpet cleaner model that did not make the cut) is home to seven cats, four of which are indoor/outdoor, and three dogs, two of which are puppies that have yet to be housebroken. They have been used to clean up a variety of messes, such as pet accidents, food and drink spills and dirt that had been tracked indoors after doing yard work. We also tested these carpet cleaners on stairs and tight spaces in addition to large rooms.
FAQ
What type of carpet cleaning is best for pet urine?
The best way to clean pet urine from carpet is by using an enzymatic cleaner. These products break down and digest the proteins in pet urine, effectively eliminating both the stain and the odor. Follow the product instructions carefully for the best results.
Having trouble locating where your pet has done their business? A UV flashlight pet urine detector will help. When shown on soiled areas, this black light glows to reveal urine stains, which can often be found hiding on walls, baseboards, carpets and furniture. And if odor is your top concern, check out our editor-tested pet odor eliminators.
Originally Published: July 12, 2021
