The best carpet stain removers for 2025 will help you restore your floors. (The Home Depot, Amazon)
A good carpet stain remover can go a long way in maintaining your rugs and carpets, preserving and protecting your investment. The best carpet stain removers? They're not just powerful, but target a wide range of messes, are easy to use and won't fill your home with unpleasant fumes.
To find them, we asked pros from maid services and hotels, as well as other cleaning experts, for the sprays, powders and other formulas they swear by (along with a quality vacuum, of course) to keep carpets in tip-top shape. Whether you're dealing with everyday dirt, pet messes or spilled drinks — and whether you want a stain remover you can use with a machine or on its own — you'll be floored by what these cleaners can do. (Looking for a great hardwood cleaner or grout cleaner? We've got those too!)
Purpose/surface: Carefully read the packaging of any cleaning product to make sure it's safe for the intended surface. Carpeting is made from different fibers, including wool, nylon and cotton, and while many are durable and colorfast, some of the more delicate options could bleed or fade. It's also a good idea to check your rug's or carpet's care instructions.
Formula: Carpet cleaners typically come in one of a few forms: a bottled liquid, powder or spray. Most of the bottled liquids on our list should be diluted, and one is meant only for carpet cleaner machines. Sprays and powders are helpful for targeted messes (like a food spill or pet accident). Just make sure to read the ingredients and instructions for how to use them safely.
Machine type: If you want to pair a stain remover with a machine, you have a couple of options. You can get a handheld carpet cleaner (like the editor-approved Bissell Little Green), which is ideal for spot-treating, or an upright carpet cleaner, which is best for tackling bigger messes and large swaths of carpet. Traditional cleaning machines typically combat dirt, mud and liquids, while steam settings are particularly helpful for loosening and lifting stickier messes. You can also rent professional-grade carpet cleaning machines from stores like The Home Depot and Lowe's. Make sure that whatever stain remover you buy is suitable for use in your particular machine.
We researched top-selling carpet stain removers, sorting through hundreds of customer reviews, and asked professional cleaners and other experts for recommendations based on their experiences at home and on the job. Among this list are also formulas we've tested personally as longtime home editors who evaluate products for a living.
Cleaning, and even deep-cleaning your carpets, are fairly simple tasks. Start by vacuuming regularly, which can help keep everyday dust and dirt from not only collecting, but settling. "It’s the best way to keep your rug looking fresh and feeling great," says Neil Hegwood, chief merchandising officer at Rugs USA. "But how you vacuum is just as important as how often."
Hegwood advises "raising the rotating brush or beater bar as high as possible and avoiding fringe or tassels. And always use the lowest effective setting to prevent damage. "
For spills, you'll want to act as quickly as possible to stop substances from penetrating and staining carpets. Duarte recommends a regular professional carpet cleaning every six to 12 months, depending on how much wear it gets.
Apply your cleaner directly to the stain, enough that it gets into the tufts, but not so much that you soak the fibers. Wait the amount of time recommended on the bottle, then blot with a cloth (our experts like microfiber). Let dry, then repeat as needed — you may need to follow this process several times. You can also try using a small amount of hydrogen peroxide on set-in stains, but make sure to test it first in a small, out-of-the-way spot.
Dr. Cynthia Barrett, PT, DPT, CSCS, CNS and founder and CEO, Wellness Couture
Trish Duarte, owner, MaidPro Temecula and Murrieta
Rozalyn Early, director of housekeeping, Conrad New York Downtown
Neil Hegwood, chief merchandising officer, Rugs USA
Kristen Little, senior cleaning merchant, The Home Depot
Claudia Meneses, CEO and founder, Avanti Green Eco Cleaning
Chris Murphy, operations training manager, MaidPro