“dry your carpets for 12 to 24 hours to avoid mold formationand odd smells due to dampness,” johnson advises. This lightweight powerhouse redefines what you expect from a budget-friendly carpet shampooer. The shark stainstriker portable carpet cleaner , for example, is a nice option for busy households thanks to the variety of attachments included. Yes, but that’s not all the prep work you should do before using a carpet cleaner, according to johnson. Our best carpet cleaners picks run the gamut from ultra portable (i. e. Make sure you purchase the right tool for your specific job. Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our bhg recommends seal of approval. products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure theyre worth a spot in your home. We measured the noise level using a decibel meter. Reviewed by experts · january 2026 rankings · shop todays best deals We recorded the weight of the carpet cleaner once filled and how easy it was to transport. Bhg. com has been visited by 10k+ users in the past month See full list on bhg. com While some of the most lightweight carpet cleaners on our list are cordless, the heftier models do need an electric source. See our top picks! Most corded models have around 20 feet to work with because they’re meant for you to move all over a room or even into multiple rooms. · to help keep your floors looking clean and smelling fresh, we tested 12 of the most popular portable and upright carpet cleaners to find the best models for any home. · we tested upright and portable carpet and upholstery cleaners from bissell, hoover, tineco, and more to find which clean best and tackle pet stains and odors. Barbara bellesi zito is a writer from staten island, ny, covering all things home and lifestyle for better homes & gardens and other top digital publications. Deals, discounts, and more Our research has helped 200+ million shoppers find the best products. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isnt an option. That last part is especially good advice, as some of these machines are quite heavy and hard to maneuver until you get the hang of them. Can you put vinegar in a carpet cleaner? Weighing just over twenty pounds, we found it difficult to move and it didn’t glide naturally at all. Our experts tested and reviewed carpet cleaners by category, quality and price. Hoover onepwr cleanslate cordless portable carpet cleaner She dove into the results gathered by the bhg in-house testing team to come up with the best carpet cleaners based on effectiveness, portability, ease of setup and use, noise level, and overa. The bissell little green max portable carpet cleaneris a budget-friendly and portable option for spot cleaning. Free, easy returns on millions of items. Do i need to vacuum before carpet cleaning? Amazon. com has been visited by 1m+ users in the past month However, this cordless option had a very short battery life, which we found inconvenient when trying to tackle larger stains. You can hold it in one hand) to hefty (i. e. If you need a heftier machine for deep-cleaning. Read customer reviews & find best sellers. The best carpet cleaners of 2026 for any budget. We assembled each carpet cleaner, filling the tank with water and/or any suggested chemical-based or natural cleaning solutions, per the manufacturer’s guidelines. Shark carpetxpert hairpro pet carpet cleaner with stainstriker Leave enough time for the carpets to drybetween cleanings or before replacing furniture. Weve tested both portable and upright models, as well as sprays, shampoos , and other carpet detergents. How long does it take for carpet to dry after cleaning it? However, many of the products on our list have attachments and/or are portable for use on furniture and other upholstered surfaces, including cleaning car seats. · to find the best carpet cleaners , i spoke with three cleaning experts for their guidance and recommendations. Do not put vinegar in a carpet cleaner, johnson says. As a general rule, if you want something that’s good for spot cleaning, look for a lightweight option under 10 pounds, like the bissell little green max portable carpet cleaner. · our editorial team has tested dozens of carpet cleaners over the years to find the very best ones. “declutter to remove objects and debris, pre-vacuum the carpet , and protect the walls with foam padding and painter’s tape,” he explains. Free shipping on qualified orders. The 8 best carpet cleaners that can handle literally any mess. The hoover onepwr cleanslate cordless portable carpet cleanerimpressed us with its boost mode, which helped remove stains without having to pre-treat the area. “a white vinegar and water solution or other homemade carpet cleaning solutions cause carpet damagethat the naked eye can’t see,” he explains. Oneclearwinner. com - compare and reviews the best products & prices before you buy · weve tested carpet cleaners from bissell, tineco, hoover, rug doctor, and more to find the best ones for stains, pet messes, and everyday spills. You’ll need some muscle power to maneuver it). The hoover onepwr smartwash cordless carpet cleaner, our best upright pick, has a battery life of about half a. The right carpet cleaner for you depends on your household. However, if you’re looking for a carpet cleaner that does more spot touch-ups, you might be better suited for a cordless model. Then, we tested each cleaner on four types o. Find the right carpet cleaner that fits your needs and budget. “even such minor damage can void the carpet manufacturer’s warranty. ” “steam carpet cleaning without drying treatments takes 48 to 72 hours to dry thoroughly. ” unless you are cleaning just a small spot that might be easily avoided during the drying time, you’ll want to plan accordingly if you are cleaning entire floors or even the seats in your car. Editors top picks · october deals 2025 · fall deals 2025 · reviews Below are our top picks for the best carpet shampooers to match every home’s needs. Portability is key with carpet cleaners, as you don’t want it to be too difficult to carry or use the device. Like the name says, carpet cleaners are indeed meant for area rugs and carpeted surfaces. The shark carpetxpert hairpro pet carpet cleaner with stainstrikerworked well on all stains we tested and left behind a pleasant, neutral scent, but we found it heavy compared to other options.
