As careful as you try to be, spots and stains are inevitable.

But whether it’s dirt from muddy shoes, food spills, or a hairball from the cat, the best carpet stain removers can make your rug look clean again.

All you need to do is match the solution to the problem.

Best Carpet Stain Remover 2022 Reviews

1. Bissell Professional Power Shot Oxy Carpet Spot and Stain Remover 95C9

Bissell’s Power Shot is our number one choice because it removes a wide variety of stains with an eco-friendly formula.

It’s a favorite tool of both Consumer Reports and Good Housekeeping magazine.

It’s also certified by the EPA because it has no organic solvents, no harmful propellants, and a biodegradable formula.

The Power Shot Oxy Stain Remover cleans up new spills and old stains from tomato sauce, blood, coffee, motor oil, mildew, and pets.

The nozzle lets you direct the spray exactly where you need it, even below the surface of the carpet. And it leaves a fresh fragrance behind even after it dries.

Bissell offers a few tips for how to get the most out of this spot remover.

First, always blot up as much of the spill as possible.

Then, soak the carpet in an area twice the size of the stain with a generous amount of the formula.

Next, let the stain remover sit up to two hours. Finally, use a wet cloth to blot the carpet and rinse away the cleaner.

You can always repeat the process if you aren’t satisfied the first time.

2. Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover

The Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover is another popular all-around stain remover. It lifts up ink, wine, and grease from carpet, upholstery, and clothing.

And you won’t need to rinse the surface or vacuum after you use it.

Folex points out that their formula is safe for colorfast fabrics and carpet. You can also use it to get marks out of woodwork and walls.

3. Woolite Advanced Pet Stain & Odor Remover + Sanitize

Woolite’s formula gets rid of urine, feces, and vomit from carpets and upholstery.

Not only does it erase the mark, but it also gets rid of the odor and sanitizes the spot.

It can kill almost 100% of the bacteria on soft materials like fabric and rugs.

There is one detail to note: Woolite says to not use this stain remover on wool fibers, olefin, or polypropylene.

Otherwise, just spray the stain, wait a few minutes, then blot it up with a paper towel or cloth.

4. Spot Shot Professional Carpet Stain Remover

Spot Shot removes carpet stains with 2-Butoxyethanol, a powerful solvent that breaks down everything from pet urine to ketchup and motor oil.

It works as well on old spots as it does on new messes. Plus, it neutralizes odors and doesn’t have a strong scent by itself.

Once you spray the stain with Spot Shot, you can immediately blot the area with a paper towel or clean rag.

Then repeat the process until the mark is gone. You won’t need to scrub or vacuum. But keep children and pets away from the area until the carpet has thoroughly dried.

5. Resolve Professional Strength Spot and Stain Carpet Cleaner

Resolve’s spot and stain cleaner is safe to use on synthetic, nylon, and wool carpets.

It’s a good product to use as pre-treatment on traffic lanes before you clean your carpet. And it also works on upholstery.

Resolve’s formula removes grease, food, and pet stains with a triple oxi-action blend of ingredients. Even better, it also gets rid of unpleasant scents.

6. HOOVER Platinum Collection Professional Strength Instant Stain Remover AH30000

The Platinum Collection Professional Strength Stain Remover from Hoover passed a test from Good Housekeeping with flying colors.

With only one application, it erased both old and new spots on carpet and upholstery. And it can clean up cosmetics, ground-in food, and pet stains equally well.

There are a couple of things to know about this formula. First, it has a strong odor that dissipates as it dries.

And second, it’s not recommended for use on wood, silk, or dry clean only materials.

7. Chem-Dry Grease & Oil Stain Extinguisher

Chem-Dry’s Stain Extinguisher is possibly the best product to use on the carpet in your car or anywhere else where you have grease or oil stains.

It removes lipstick, cooking oil, and crayons, too. Although it has a slight chemical scent, that fades as it dries.

8. Capture Carpet Dry Cleaner Powder

Capture’s Dry Cleaner Powder absorbs liquid from fresh spills and gets rid of unpleasant odors.

If you use a brush, you can work it deeper into the nap of the carpet. Then once it’s done its job, just vacuum.

The powder is safe to use on all types of carpet and fabric including silk and wool.

And if you aren’t happy with the results, Capture offers a full refund.

9. BioKleen Bac-Out Stain & Odor Eliminator

BioKleen’s Bac-Out Eliminator relies on enzymes that destroy stains from food and pets. It also removes odors like cat urine.

And it’s free from hazardous chemicals, so it’s safe to use around children and animals.

Some customers report success erasing stains from clothing in the wash.

The biodegradable formula is safe for septic systems and contains no artificial dyes or fragrances.

Homemade carpet stain removers

Some spot removers contain degreasers for oily spots, while others have enzymes that erase both the mark and the smell that pet urine leaves behind.

If you know ahead of time what you need to clean, it’s easy to pick the most effective stain remover for your carpet

No matter what you use to remove stains from your carpet, it’s always best to test for colorfastness first.

Pick an area out of the way and test the spot remover there. Then blot the area with a white cloth to see if the color lifts.

If you don’t have stain remover on hand, there are a few things you can use in an emergency. For example, shaving cream can clean a grease spot.

On the other hand, you can remove pet urine by spraying the spot with one part white vinegar in one part warm water.

Let that sit for 10 to 15 minutes then blot it with a paper towel.

Once the carpet is nearly dry, coat the damp area with baking soda. Finally, let the baking soda absorb any remaining odor for at least 15 minutes, then vacuum.

Conclusion

You don’t have to live with stains on your rug any longer. Choose one of the best carpet stain removers to get rid of marks from motor oil, pet accidents, and spilled food. In most cases, your rug should look like new again in just a few minutes.