Carpet stain remover and cleaning products are a great idea if you want to prolong the life of your carpets and upholstery.
Applied directly to the stain, they work to remove it, or significantly reduce its appearance or odour.
In some instances, they can save you hundreds of dollars because they save expensive furniture and flooring.
If you’re looking for a great stain remover, we’ve reviewed a selection of the best to help narrow your choice down.
This includes devices, products and even a homemade option.
Here are the best stain removal products currently available to help you save your carpet:
1. Bissell Spot Clean Refresh Carpet Cleaner (Top Pick)
The Bissell Spot Clean carpet cleaner is an electric vacuum that is compact in size, making it ideal for the quick cleaning of stains and spots that occur throughout the home. It features tech that keeps the water the same temperature throughout cleaning, for consistent results. The tough stain tool that comes with the product also makes it even more effective when stains are tricky to get out.
Customers will love that the compact size of the product makes it easy to store and best for cleaning your caravan or camper van, car, summerhouse or other areas where a full carpet cleaner might not be suitable.
What We Like:
- Compact and light
- Consistent water temperature
- Comes with a tough stain tool
- Handy carry handle
What We Don’t Like:
- May not be the best carpet cleaner for thick-pile carpets
- Noisy
2. Dr Beckmann’s Carpet Stain Remover
Dr Beckmann carpet stain remover is designed to remove tricky stains and heavy spills with an oxy-powered formulation and handy applicator brush.
Pet owners will particularly appreciate the fact that the product provides odour control and removal, so there are no lingering signs of accidents to have to put up with.
Customers who have to deal with regular strong staining will love that Dr Beckmann is known for being able to tackle staining from liquids like red wine, coffee and tea.
What We Like:
- Easy to use
- Suitable for heavy stains
- Odour control
- Comes with applicator brush
What We Don’t Like:
- May not be suitable for older carpets
- May not be able to deal with old or very heavy staining
3. Vanish Preen Oxi Action Stain Remover
Stain removal giant Vanish offer a wide range product using their ‘Oxi-Action’ formula.
The product is thought to be effective in as little as 30 seconds in some instances, and can be used on heavy stains caused by products like soy sauce, raspberries and grass.
Customers will love that the product can be used alongside detergents as a washing aid for clothes, sheets and towels.
It can also be used as a quick spot-on treatment for carpet and upholstery stains, making it ideal for a household with pets and children.
What We Like:
- Various applications
- Can work in as little as 30 seconds
- No need to scrub
- Suitable for heavy stains
What We Don’t Like:
- Small May require two applications for clothing stains
- May not work as well on older stains
4. Bissell Oxy Pro Carpet Stain Remover
Bissell Oxy Pro is designed to be a strong rival to Vanish Oxi and uses the same Oxygen-based removal process to lift away coloured stains.
It boasts an effective lifting of even the toughest stains, which start to fade quickly once the product is applied.
Even better, compared to other carpet cleaners the Bissell is relatively natural as it is free from dyes, phosphates, heavy metals and optical brighteners and all ingredients are totally biodegradable.
Customers will love that they can make the process as effective as possible by blotting away as much of the spill as possible before using the product.
This actively helps the Bissell Oxy do its job working on a thin stain that should remove the majority of it within a couple of hours.
What We Like:
- Suitable for heavy stains
- Free from phosphates
- Leaves a fresh and clean odour
- Starts working right away
What We Don’t Like:
- May not work well on older carpets
- May not work well on greasy stains
5. Home Recipe Stain Remover – dishwashing liquid, white vinegar, water
If you want to keep things entirely natural you could try your own mixture of white vinegar, water and dishwashing liquid.
Using a recipe and additional directions to prepare the stain, you can treat it without having to buy anything special at all.
Customers will love that they can make their on carpet stain removal mixture without having to spend lots of money on a branded item.
What We Like:
- Cheap
- Natural
- Easy
- Great for fresh carpet stains
What We Don’t Like:
- May not work on heavy stains
- May not work on old stains
Carpet Stain Remover Buyers Guide
Buying a stain removal product is a really great idea if you have a home that requires extra-protection from spills and staining. If you have pets and children, there’s always a need to have some sort of stain removal product at hand.
How do you purchase a stain removal product that works? Can stain removal be easy? How do I know it won’t damage my carpets and upholstery?
Don’t worry, we can help. Here’s our buyers guide to help you choose the right stain removers for your needs:
Product Or Device?
There are many products available to help you clean a stain. Those products, especially those using oxygen to do the job, are active and can effectively get rid of dirt and carpet marks.
However, if you want the most convenient option, and you know that your home is prone to stains, then it could be worth investing in a complete stain removing device.
They work like a vacuum or carpet washing machine but they are smaller and more portable.
Using The Product On Your Carpet
Unfortunately there is no way to test if the product is going to actively stain the carpet or upholstery without trying it.
Although these products are designed not to adversely affect the materials they come into contact with, it can happen.
It is always recommended to test any product on a small, discreet area of carpet or upholstery first.
Another good way to see if this is a bigger risk than usual is to look through the reviews and see what has happened to previous customers.
Effectiveness: No Product Is Perfect
Because of the nature of stain removal and dirt and there being several factors that effect how easy a stain is to remove, you can’t ever guarantee any product will definitely work.
However, a good general rule is that the newer the stain is and the more dirt or stain you have already blotted up, the more likely a removal product is to work.
Even if a product claims to work on heavy stains, it may not. Check the reviews to see the kind of households using the product and to read the success they have had.
This will help you gain an understanding of whether the product could work well in your household.
Beware Of Odour Control
Removing odour is a great feature of a stain removal product, especially in a house with pets.
However, some products may leave a smell that you may not be fond of. Some products when used on old carpets can also activate old smells in the deepest depths of the carpet, smells you don’t necessarily want to be released.
Look for signs in the reviews that the scent isn’t for everyone, and that maybe old carpets aren’t the best target for the product.
When it comes to stain removal on carpet and upholstery, nothing is guaranteed.
However, by choosing the best product to attempt stain removal from carpet, upholstery and even clothes in your home, you have the best possible chance of success and a stain-free home.
Carpet Stain Remover FAQs
Ink, coffee, red wine, blood and oil-based stains are very difficult to remove from a carpet, even with the best carpet cleaners. Pet stains are also particularly difficult as they are highly acidic and have a strong, lingering odour.
Vinegar is acidic and works well on alkaline stains like red wine. Vinegar is less likely to be effective on acidic stains like tomato ketchup.
