Best carpet cleaning products: 8 powerful powders, sprays, foams and shampoos

These best carpet cleaning products will help with everything from quickly removing new stains to removing stubborn old ones, and everything in between, including deodorising smelly carpets.

As well as vacuuming twice a week, we're firm believers that investing in good quality cleaning products makes a difference. Especially when it comes to minimising wear and tear and keeping your floor in tip top condition. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know what to choose; so, we've gathered together a selection of the best carpet cleaning products for stubborn stains and carpet upkeep. Whether you're after a carpet spray, a cleaner you can vacuum over or a carpet shampoo, there's something for everyone on our list.

Looking to give an entire carpeted room a new lease of life? There's no need to spend hours (or even days) scrubbing your carpet. Invest in one of the best carpet cleaning machines to help you out.

What is the best carpet cleaning product?

We think the best carpet cleaning product you can buy is the Dyson Zorb Powder due to the fact it requires no water, it just needs to be sprinkled on your carpet and 20 minutes later, vacuumed up. 

For those after the best every day carpet cleaning product, the Astonish Fabric Stain Remover is a great option. It's quick-acting, easy to use and also very affordable and easy to get hold of.

The best carpet cleaning products

The Dyson Zorb Powder is a really handy way to clean up stains quickly without the hassle of having to scrub the carpet.

How to use
It doesn't require water to work, so can simply be sprinkled on the affected area, left for 20 minutes and then vacuumed away. The best carpet cleaning product for when you're vacuuming anyway.

What we like

It's amazing at soaking up wet stains from carpets and definitely leaves them smelling fresh.

What we don't like
While this powder does a great job at cleaning messes on carpets, it can only be used when vacuuming so it isn't ideal for quick clean ups.

Shop more vacuuming accessories at Currys PC World

Although initially meant to be used on clothes to remove unwanted stains, this fabric stain remover by Astonish works wonders on cleaning upholstery such as curtains, carpets, fabric sofas and rugs. 

How to use
To use, soak up any moisture from the stain and then spray the product immediately, ensuring you cover the entire stain. Leave for 10 minutes and wipe with a damp cloth – it's as simple as that. 

What we like about it
We've seen it remove red wine from white carpet without leaving a trace; a cleaning cupboard staple, we think.

What we don't like about it
It's not suitable for use on flameproof or waterproof fabrics.

Browse more Astonish cleaning products at Amazon

If you're looking for an eco-friendly carpet cleaner, the Ecozone Carpet Shampoo works a treat.

How to use
Dilute 10 to one and then apply directly to the stain. Rub it in well, leave for a few minutes and then wipe away residue with a cloth.

What we like about it
It’s completely cruelty-free and works wonders on both carpets and upholstery. Despite being less potent then some carpet cleaning products, it can be used for both spot stains and to clean large areas with a cleaning machine. We think it's the best carpet cleaner you can buy if you're eco-friendly. 

What we don't like
It may not bother some people, but this carpet cleaner isn't as potent as others.

See more EcoZone products at Amazon

Spilling red wine on a cream carpet can be devastating. As you can't predict when these mini disasters will occur, it's a good idea to keep a stain remover on hand as the best results will be achieved if a spillage is tackled as quickly as possible. 

How to use
It's simple: spray the product on the stain; leave for a few minutes; wipe with a clean cloth.

What we like
While the HG Extra Strong Stain Spray is particularly potent and should be handled with care, it works wonders on stubborn stains such as coffee, grease, blood or wine, making it our pick of the best carpet cleaning product for removing stains.

What we don't like
Aptly labelled extra strong, this product should be used liberally and with windows open as it's strong.

Find more ways to get rid of blood stains and remove red wine stains from your carpet with our guides. Find more HG products at Amazon

Approved by us at Real Homes and also cleaning guru Mrs Hinch, the game-changing 1001 Carpet Fresh works to give your carpets new lease of life (and smell) for days at a time. 

How to use
Simply shake the bottle, spray it on your carpets and rugs and wait five minutes until it's dry. 

What we like about it
There's no need for water, vacuuming or any sort of hard work for that matter. The best carpet cleaning product for freshness, and those who have pets and don't like the lingering smell they leave behind.

What we don't like about it
It won't actually remove any stains, however it will neutralise odours whilst leaving a fresh and exotic scent behind.

See more 1001 cleaning products at Amazon

A quick and easy-to-use detergent, the Dr Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover comes with a handy applicator brush that removes stains within minutes. 

How to use
Simply squeeze a little product out the top until you can see it coming through the brush, scrub the stain with it, leave and wipe. 

What we like about it
With a pleasant, non-chemical smell, users have found that a little of this product goes a long way. The best carpet cleaner for pet stains and quick clean ups, we think.

What we don't like about it
Some may prefer a spray, especially when targeting larger stains.

Browse more Dr Beckmann cleaning products at Amazon

Want a professional carpet cleaning result without hiring the cleaners? All you need is a carpet cleaning machine (a Vax, for instance), and the Dirtbusters 3-in-1 concentrate. This stuff is powerful.

How to use
Add 10 ml per a litre of water in your carpet cleaning machine. For stubborn stains, pre-spray with a stain remover first.

What we like
How effect this is against smells: it really transforms musty-smelling carpets into fresh and clean smelling ones, although the smell of the detergent isn't overpowering. This also works out as quite cheap to use, given how concentrate it is. Oh, and it's safe to use on wool.

What we don't like
The fact that you do have to use this with a carpet cleaning machine.

Shop more carpet cleaning products at eBay

The Glade Shake ‘n’ Vac may not be the best for stubborn stains, but for small spillages and dirt it works a treat. 

How to use
It's pretty self explanatory: you shake some product over your carpet, leave for a while and then vacuum it up.

What we like about it
Available in a range of fragrances, it will leave your carpet smelling fresh and fragrant. Simply sprinkle over the affected area, leave for five minutes and vacuum up.

What we don't like about it
It requires vacuuming to work, making it not ideal for quick clean ups, however beneficial for deep cleaning.

Shop more Glade products at Amazon

How to buy the best carpet cleaning product

Type 

Depending on personal preference, carpet cleaners come in all different forms. Some may prefer a powder cleaner to sprinkle on their floors before vacuuming, however others may prefer a spray to target stubborn stains. There are also carpet shampoos which work exactly as our shampoos do, and also foam versions to consider that also sometimes need to be vacuumed afterwards. 

How to use

If you're looking for something for quick clean ups, opt for a spray carpet cleaner. However if you need something to help you along with a deep clean, powder and liquid varieties may suit you more.

Check

Always test a product on a small area before properly using, and read the back of the bottle to ensure it's suitable for your particular carpet type. Some carpet cleaners can only be used in conjunction with certain vacuums, for example the Vax Ultra + Pet Carpet Cleaning Solution needs to be used with a vac machine in order to be effective.

What can I use to clean my carpet?

If your carpet has a pile, you can use either a specialised carpet brush or a general stiff-bristled brush. Either way, experiment on an unseen patch (under the sofa or bed) first to ensure you won't change the look of your carpet's pile. Flat-weave carpets will not respond well to brushes, so avoid with these, following manufacturer's cleaning instructions.

Carpet cleaning product not doing the job?

If your carpet isn't coming up clean enough with a carpet cleaning product alone, it may be worth investing in a handy carpet cleaning machine to help do the job of giving your floors a new lease of life. 

The Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner is our best pick overall as it's compact so easy to store, it can be used in both small and large homes and most of all, it has twice the suction power of other machines. If you're looking for something more on the professional side, opt for the Rug Doctor X3. See more recommendations in our buyer's guide

More on carpets and cleaning:

• Cleaning hacks for kids' rooms
• Best ways to clean up after your dog
• Choose the best carpet for your home