These Are the Only Carpet Cleaners Worth Buying

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

While you can get a decent clean on hardwood floors sans any specific tools or appliances, it's almost impossible to do the same on rugs, so we set out to find the best carpet cleaners on the market. If you're sitting there thinking, "I don't need to clean my rugs and carpets because I don't see any dirt," we have some unsettling news for you. According to the American Lung Association, they may trap pollutants and allergens such as "dust mites, pet dander, cockroach allergens, particle pollution, lead, mold spores, pesticides," and more. In other words, your floor coverings collect tons of disgusting elements that you often can't see.

So, yes, you need to clean your rug. How much and how often is totally up to you, but it needs to be done. You'll need a carpet cleaner—not just a regular vacuum cleaner—to keep your floors clean, and luckily for you, we've done all of the research so you don't have to. Ahead, you'll find nearly 10 options—most of which House Beautiful editors use in their own homes. The others are some of the Internet's most highly rated options on the market.

We also delve into everything you'll need to know about buying a carpet cleaner, what to look for, and a few additional tips that will help you make an educated purchase you won't regret. With spring cleaning in full force, now is the time to invest in what's sure to become your new favorite equipment.

CrossWave HydroSteamVacuum

In our research for this story, we've discovered that there are as many stick carpet cleaners as there are compact ones. Something else we learned? One is not better than the other. The best carpet cleaner for you totally depends on your needs. For Associate Editor Lauren Gruber, she's all-in on Bissell's CrossWave, which doubles as a vacuum cleaner. "I often eat meals on my coffee table, so my living room carpet gets its fair share of toast crumbs, other bits of food, and the occasional sauce stain. I also have very long hair and a cat that sheds a lot, so finding a carpet cleaner that picks up hair efficiently was a top priority," she explains. When shopping for her carpet cleaner, ease of use was her top priority, so she opted for the one that doesn't require a lot of physical effort or time.
"All you have to do is press a button to activate its carpet mode, and it releases cleaning fluid with different buttons for various levels of cleaning power," she says. "The powerful vacuum combined with liquid cleaner—I buy the Bissell pet odor and stain remover—has kept my carpet looking brand-new for the past eight months."

However, Gruber warns that it's not as industrial-strength as advertised. She admits that she has to run the cleaner over her carpet more than a few times to effectively lift every stain, crumb, and hair, which is to be expected of a lot of appliances. Another less-than-ideal element is the cleaning the vacuum itself requires. "The brush roll, filter compartment, and cleaning fluid section can get moldy if they don't dry properly, so make sure you let them air dry after every use," she encourages. "Also, my hair gets caught around the brush roll easily so I have to use an X-Acto knife to remove it."

Weight: 12.5 pounds | Cord Length: 25-foot charging cord | Included Accessories: Three trial size formulas, two washable filters, and an auto clean out tray

Little Green Multi-Purpose Carpet Cleaner

Even if you aren't very familiar with carpet cleaners, you've probably seen or heard of Bissell's Little Green machine, which is a pretty good description of this handy little gadget that Senior Commerce Editor Marina Liao loves. "I want to preface that I bought this Little Green machine four years ago, so there is definitely a newer model on the market right now. However, for being an oldie, it sure does hold up to cleaning my hallway rug," she says. "I primarily use my machine to get dust and dirt out, and since I have a dog, it always pulls out dog hair too." Like the previous pick, this one requires manual hair removal from the pump. Liao notes, "There seems to be no way to remove the cap to take the hair out on this model. This bothers me, but I've learned to let it go because my apartment doesn't have space for anything other than this pint-size cleaner."

That may not be ideal, but using this is pretty satisfying if you like the before and after reveal. In fact, you can see the magic happen right in front of you when the cleaning solution goes through one end of the plastic container into the next, which, Liao explains, "fills up with black, dirty liquid."

Weight: 9.65 pounds | Cord Length: 15 feet | Included Accessories: HydroRinse pump

StainStriker Portable Carpet Cleaner

If you are pretty neat and don't need or want a massive contraption for deep cleaning, the Shark StainStriker is a good investment. "If you are using this to spot clean, the StainStriker is a game-changer because it can remove literally any traces of a spill," Cherner says. It comes with two attachments, one for wet messes and the other for dry ones. "It really works. Personally, I think the wet mess remover is more impressive, but they both do what they promise to do," she adds. "Full disclosure: This is something you'd only use if you have a few minutes to spend both setting up the cleaner and using it." You have to fill two compartments with different solutions (both of which are included) and attach the filters and specific head to the top of the pump.

If you're using it to spot-clean, apply a bit of pressure as you press the nozzle into the rug and go over the spot a few times, giving it ample time to dry. The StainStriker is definitely not something you'd want to use to deep-clean the whole rug because it requires a lot of physical effort (you're on your hands and knees and, after a few minutes, your hands will start to cramp). That said, it's not really designed to work as anything other than a spot treatment, hence the compact size and small nozzles.

Weight: 8.5 pounds | Cord Length: Cordless | Included Accessories: Two nozzles and two cleaning solutions

ProHeat Revolution Max Clean

Anyone with pets knows that they are messy. From shedding fur to bodily fluids, pet-related messes are often no match for a carpet—especially a pale one. Bissell, however, foresaw this issue and developed the Pro Heat Revolution, which is specifically designed to completely eliminate pet-induced grossness. How? With the cleaner's internal system that includes a CleanShot pretreated to remove spots and stains. The fluid works in conjunction with the two-in-one pet upholstery tool that works so darn well, it eliminates any trace of the mess, including odor. The efficacy aside, Bissell is a great brand to shop because it is as pro-pet as a cleaning company can get. The brand started its own philanthropy, dubbed Bissell Pet Foundation, whose mission is to help homeless pets. One of the 8,000-plus five-star reviews says, "The is the first upright carpet shampooer I've owned and I am beyond impressed. After months of looking at reviews of several different shampooers I finally decided on this one. It is a bit expensive but worth every penny."

Weight: 19 pounds | Cord Length: 25 inches | Included Accessories: Cleaning solution, pet brush, and pet upholstery tool

SmartWash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner

Unlike the smaller options on our list, this one is meant for a deep-clean, so if you don't live in a shoes-off house and want to get rid of all the dirt you and your guests have tracked inside, get the Hoover. It also takes no time at all to use and requires zero physical exertion. Here's how it works: When you press the button near the handle, the Hoover precisely mixes and dispenses solution six inches in front of the cleaner. Next, gently push the cleaner over the dampened area a few times, and the flexible brushes will work the solution into the mess, which both loosens and removes it. Lastly, click a different button for the auto-dry function, which extracts the liquid and dirt as the heat dries the area you just cleaned. "This machine did a great job. The only assembly was putting the handle in," one reviewer noted. "There were complaints that it leaked dirty water but that is because they didn't seal the container properly. It will click into place. No parts needed to be forced on as everything fit nicely. I had no leakage other than what dripped off the brushes."

Weight: 18.5 pounds | Cord Length: Eight feet | Included Accessories: 2-in-1 pet tool, stair tool, an accessory storage bag, and a sample bottle of cleaning solution

Big Green Carpet Cleaner

We included the Little Green machine, so, naturally, we're going to add the Big Green machine to the list as well. Unlike it's smaller counterpart, this one works on a larger area, courtesy of the wider nozzle and the fact that you don't need to be on all fours to operate it. The carpet cleaner includes eight rows of bristles that deeply penetrate carpet fibers to loosen and lift super-embedded or packed dirt. There's also a hose with a slightly smaller nozzle to use on stairs or hard to reach areas. We will preface our suggestion with one caveat: It's enormous, so if you're working within a small space with little storage space, this may not be the carpet cleaner for you. Otherwise, stick it in a closet and break it out whenever you feel like your carpets need a good cleaning. One customer said, "If you're serious about keeping your carpets spotless, the Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner is a game-changer. This machine packs serious power and tackles the toughest stains and embedded dirt with ease."

Weight: 41 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Included Accessories: Eight-foot hose and cleaning solution

Carpet Spot Cleaner

This is another spot cleaner that performs shockingly well, considering it's under $100. It's also easy to use. Simply place the cleaner above the stain, spray the solution, scrub, and then suction up the mess and the solution. "I love this! It does clean very well," a reviewer noted. "I love that it comes with cleaners, so you can test it out right away. It was super easy to use and clean. I also like how portable it is, so I can use it everywhere including my car."

Another person added that this is actually great for carpets but may not work as well on other pieces of furniture. "This product is excellent on carpet! On furniture, the results are more mixed. The suction power on carpet is quite strong, but quite weak on soft surfaces like an armchair or a couch," one reviewer wrote. "The biggest drawback is that the clean water tank is rather small, so if you have multiple messes (like I did after many years of putting off buying an upholstery cleaner), you will have to empty and re-fill the tank multiple times." This is just a good reminder, too, to not put off cleaning your carpet or upholstery until the last minute! Monthly maintenance will save you the troubles in the long run.

Weight: 5.85pounds | Cord Length: Cordless | Included Accessories: Cleaning solution and charging station

How We Selected These Carpet Cleaners

If you already embarked on your own carpet cleaner hunt, you know that there are seemingly endless options out there, which makes it hard to pick the best one. We ran into the same issue, so when it came to finding the products for this story, we first turned our attention towards our own homes. That's right: we polled several House Beautiful editors about their favorite carpet cleaners for their own homes, shining a much-deserved light on them. For the remaining few on our list, we paid a visit to our go-to online retailer for pretty much everything: Amazon. We spent hours (read: three) finding the most highly-rated carpet cleaners with the most reviews. After combing through the reviews, which include the good and the bad, we picked the three that seemed to make customers the happiest, and included them in our roundup. Mind you, we also wanted to be sure that the products we chose were varied in function, size, and price.

What to Look for in a Carpet Cleaner

Finding the right carpet cleaner for you will depend on your lifestyle. A household that has kids and/or pets for example will require a heavy duty machine versus someone living alone whose only worry is the occasional dust bunny. There are a few different types of carpet cleaners, too, so making sure you buy the right one is key. Ahead, we spell everything out for you.

Type of Cleaning: There are two main types of carpet cleaners: spot and full. Spot cleaning is tending to a small and localized mess, like a spill or a pet accident. It doesn't take nearly as long as a full clean, which, as its name implies, tends to the whole floor covering. These types of clean are often less intense than spot cleans because you're not focusing on removing a visible mess.

Size: Spot cleaners are typically smaller than full-size carpet cleaners, so if you don't have a large storage space, you may want to snag the former and skip the latter. In our experience, spot cleaners are around the size of a trashcan you'd keep in the bathroom, so they're easy to stow away when they're not in use. Full carpet cleaners, on the other hand, are more varied in size, in order to contain more of the dirt and stains it sucks up.

Ease of Use: Whether you're using a spot cleaner or a full cleaner, consider this a warning that neither are as easy to use as a vacuum because carpet cleaners always use a liquid cleaning solution. Before breaking it out, you'll need to dispense the liquid (either water or cleaning fluid) and afterwards, you'll need to disassemble the parts, wash them, and let them air dry. This last step is highly important because if you just put away the carpet cleaner after using it, mold will definitely grow in the tanks or on the brushes.

What Type of Carpet Cleaning Is the Best?

If you're looking for the best carpet cleaner on the market, sadly, there isn't one type that reigns supreme. Rather, the one that works best for you will depend on what type of clean you want to get: a deep clean or a spot clean. The former is a thorough wash of the entire rug or carpet and the second is cleaning smaller messes. One isn't necessarily better than the other, but if we had to pick one, we'd go with the bigger options that clean the entire carpet—especially if shoes are allowed on the floor coverings. If you really want to keep your carpets clean, opt for both types: the big and the compact depending on the mess.

How Often Should You Clean Your Carpets?

According to The Carpet and Rug Institute, you should professionally clean your carpet every 12 to 18 months, though this can vary depending on the foot traffic in your home. With regular upkeep, either by vacuuming at least once a week or using your carpet cleaner frequently, it'll help reduce the need for a professional to come into your home. Plus, it'll prolong the life of your carpet.

For those who do need the experts to come in, here's what's you can expect. When you hire a professional, they'll often use a heavy-duty carpet cleaner with a similar nozzle-topped hose that's attached to a tank. These work pretty similarly to the ones on our list with the biggest difference being size. Professional carpet cleaners are often used for much larger surface areas than ones found in a typical home or apartment. They also utilize steam, which can help loosen and lift dirt and grime easily.

Do You Keep Cleaning Carpet Until Water Is Clear?

If you're reading this question and not entirely sure what it means, allow us to explain. Most carpet cleaners utilize a scrub and suction function, which both cleans the mess and then deposits it in the included tank. Think of it like washing your hands: As you wash, the dirt, bacteria, and germs on your hands get washed down the drain. Carpet cleaners don't hook up to a drain, but the cleaning solution and dirt need to go somewhere other than simply back into the rug. Enter the tank, which is a combination of the cleaning solution, water, and dirt from the rug. After a first pass with the carpet cleaner, the liquid in the tank is often quite dark and pretty disgusting. Unless the water is an opaque black, there's rarely a reason to go over the rug with the cleaning machine again. You likely got all of the dirt and grime the first time. If you want to test how well the cleaner did the first time without busting it out again, damped a white washcloth and scrub the rug. If it comes back clean, you're good to go. If there's a dark smudge, feel free to go over the rug with the cleaner one more time. That said, you do not need to keep using it until the water comes back clear because some of the hue in the liquid may be from dyes or fibers rather than dirt.

Why Trust House Beautiful?

At House Beautiful, we not only provide design tips and inspiration, so you can create the home you've always dreamed of, but we share how to care for it, too. Yes, this is where organization and cleaning comes into play, from tackling all your spring cleaning duties to wiping down your walls, we have you covered with the best tips and products. For this story, Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner spent hours reading through reviews, ratings, and tapped her fellow editors to find the best carpet cleaners on the market right now for House Beautiful readers.

When it comes to picking out the best (and affordable) pieces for any space, Cherner has been reviewing furniture, appliances, and home must-haves for nearly eight years, having access to more than a few stylish samples, and working with countless experts on what makes a product worthy in the home. Not to mention, she's a self-proclaimed neat-freak and germaphobe, so you can trust that she has done her homework to find the best and most beloved cleaning pieces on the market.

You Might Also Like

• 15 Home Bar Gifts Every Cocktail Enthusiast Will Appreciate

• 32 Low Light Indoor Plants That Can Survive in the Darkest Corners of Your Home

• These Are the 50 Best Paint Colors for Your Living Room