Best Carpet Cleaner for Pets to Clean Pet’s Odor and Stains

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Carpets are soft and welcoming, but they can be tough to keep clean. They can hold a whooping three times their weight dirt that even a vacuum cleaner cannot clean, leaving all types of gunk, stains, and odors from pets trapped within the fibers. Although there are tricks to cleaning the carpet, investing in the best carpet cleaner for pets is the only way to achieve that professional-grade clean feeling.

While vacuum cleaners depend on suction and spinning brushes to remove debris, carpet cleaners for pets use steam, hot water, stain removers, and powerful suction to remove debris from a carpet's deepest part while washing fibers of oils, odor, and stains. With this pet carpet cleaner, you can remove debris, prevent discoloration, and prolong your carpets' lifespan without the need to hire a professional. Check out some of the best carpet cleaners for pets on the market.

1. BISSELL Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner

Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner
  • Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet...
  • Outcleans the Leading Rental. Get professional grade cleaning...
  • XL DirtLifter PowerBrush. Eight rows of bristles penetrate carpet...
  • 9' Long Reach Hose & 6 inches Tough Stain Tool. Easily clean...
  • Use with BISSELL PRO MAX Clean with Protect Formula. Remove...

If you are looking for a heavy-duty carpet cleaner to clean commercial space or an apartment, we recommend BISSELL Big Green Professional carpet cleaner. This pet carpet cleaner uses shampooing, hot water extraction, and an extra-large rotary brush to scrub deep into carpet fibers to produce results that exceed professional carpet cleaning standards.

BISSELL Big Green Professional carpet cleaner has a heavy-duty suction that reduces the drying time, so you don't need to wait for the soggy carpets to dry longer than required. Furthermore, it features two 1.75-gallon reservoirs that provide water for cleaning most rooms and keeping clean and dirty water separate while cleaning, plus a 9-foot hose that can extend under sofas, beds, and other tight spaces.

This shampoo and steam carpet cleaner combo have an adjustable handle, so you can select the height that is comfortable and best for you. The hose also has a storage bag meant for storing the debris collected. Moreover, you will get a stain toll for addressing persistent pet stains on your rugs, carpets, or upholstery.

The main drawback is that this upright carpet cleaner weighs 41 pounds, making it difficult to maneuver. Also, you will have a hard time carrying it up and downstairs.

Pros:

  • A heavy-duty carpet cleaner.
  • A great carpet cleaner for pet owners.
  • A professional carpet cleaning machine.
  • Offers deep cleaning.

Cons:

  • Expensive carpet cleaner.
  • A heavy machine.

2. Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Max Clean Pet Carpet Cleaner

Sale
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Max Clean Pet Pro...
  • Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet...
  • Engineered to be our best and most powerful carpet cleaning...
  • MAX Clean Mode. Packing in 12 rows of rotating Dual DirtLifter...
  • Express Clean Mode. Delivers dry carpets in about 30 minutes.
  • Attack the Toughest Stains. Activate the CleanShot pretreater to...

The ProHeat 2X Revolution pet carpet cleaner has multiple settings and comes with a powerful motor and different tools to efficiently remove the toughest pet stain and odor. It also removes skunk odor. You can switch between the vacuum mode to pick up dust, dirt, and debris, the express mode for quick cleaning, and the deep-clean mode for persistent stains. 

The Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution carpet cleaner accessory attachments allow you to access all tight spaces easily. This machine also includes a stair tool, a pretreatment tool, a two-in-one upholstery tool, and a stain-trapping tool. Furthermore, this carpet has twelve rows of brushes underneath, which delivers professional-grade cleaning and a removable brush roll cover, making it easy to maintain.

When this upright carpet cleaner is in express clean mode, it delivers dry carpets in less than 30 minutes, so you don't need to wait for the soggy carpets to dry longer than required. The ProHeat 2X Revolution carpet cleaner weighs 18 pounds and has a Low-Profile Foot design, making it easy to maneuver around furniture and easy to use. Moreover, it features a five-year warranty so you can have peace of mind when you buy it.

Pros:

  • Great for cleaning pet urine stains and odor.
  • Easy to use in tight spaces.
  • Comes with five –year warranty.
  • Very user-friendly machine.

Cons:

  • Breaks easily.
  • Not worth the money.

3. Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner Machine (FH50700)

Sale
Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner,...
  • EASY TO USE: Lightweight & compact design for efficient cleaning...
  • POWERFUL CLEANING: Good for pet messes, high traffic areas, and...
  • FASTER DRYING: HeatForce for faster drying so you can get back on...
  • POWERFUL CLEANING: High power and lightweight carpet cleaner
  • BONUS TOOL & CLEANING SOLUTION INCLUDED: Comes with a Hoover...

The Hoover PowerDash pet carpet cleaner machine is both heavy-duty and a lightweight model ideal for cleaning apartments. It weighs only 12.5 pounds but still boasts twice cleaning power than the competitive lightweight carpet cleaning machines. Furthermore, it has a compact design for easy-to-use and efficient cleaning and storage.

The machine has ½ -gallon reservoir that provides enough water for most rooms. It utilizes Hoover's Heatforce technology which heats the carpet as dirty water is extracted into the reservoir for fast drying, so you won't need to wait for the soggy carpets to dry longer than required.

The pet brush roll of this carpet cleaner collects hair and helps you remove stubborn stains. Although this unit has no hose attachment, the low-profile entry port allows you to get under furniture easily.

Pros:

  • Heavy-duty machine.
  • A portable carpet cleaner, weighing only 12.5 pounds.
  • Easy to use and handle.
  • Great for cleaning pet urine stains and odor.

Cons:

  • The water tank leaks.
  • Made poop pet accidents worse.

4. Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner

Sale
Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner with Spot...
  • AUTOMATIC CLEANING: The trigger-less design automatically mixes...
  • STAIN REMOVER WAND: The innovative Spot Chaser pretreat wand...
  • FASTER DRYING: Use Dry Only mode in combination with HeatForce...
  • ATTACKS PET STAINS AND ODORS: Specifically designed for pets, the...
  • WHAT’S INCLUDED: Pet Tool, 8ft. attachment hose, trial size...

If you are looking for an automatic carpet cleaner, we recommend Hoover SmartWash cleaner. This machine mixes and dispenses the exact cleaning solution required. It comes with a built-in motion sensor, which knows when to wash and dry, taking the guesswork out of cleaning your carpet. Besides, when you push it frontward, it cleans, and when you pull it backward, it dries.

The Hoover SmartWash automatic cleaner is designed for pets to clean deep and fight pet odor build-up while eliminating debris, dirt, and pet messes from home. The dry-only mode together with HeatForce is crucial in fast-drying, so you won't need to wait for the soggy carpets to dry longer than required.

This machine has a low-profile foot, which makes it simple to clean under furniture. It also includes an antimicrobial pet tool, a crevice tool, a stair tool, and a one-step removable nozzle to easily reach each nook, cranny, and corner of your carpet. 

Pros:

  • Very easy to use.
  • Great carpet cleaning machine for pets.
  • Works incredibly well.
  • Ideal carpet cleaner for small and large houses.

Cons:

  • Breaks easily.
  • Stops working after few uses.

5. Rug Doctor Pet Carpet Cleaner

Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner, Large and Portable, Red
  • Cleaning tank capacity (gallons) - 1. Dual cross action brushes...
  • 75 percent more suction than comparable carpet cleaning machines...
  • Rated Gold for Best in Class Cleaning Performance by CRI (Carpet...
  • "Super Boost” gives an extra “boost” to highly trafficked...
  • Includes removable tool caddy and upholstery tool for spot...

If you are looking for an industrial-strength carpet shampooer, count on Rug Doctor deep carpet cleaner. It is designed for removing tough odors and stains and extracting deep dirt. With a claimed 75% more suction than similar carpet cleaners, the Rug Doctor carpet cleaner provides a thorough clean and faster dry time than most carpet shampooers, so you don't need to wait for the soggy carpets to dry longer than required.

This cleaner includes a removable upholstery tool and tool caddy for spot treating stains or cleaning tight spaces. It provides both an attachment tool and dual cross action brushes roll, which rotate to scrub carpet fibers from each angle, powering away stains and dirt to deliver professional-grade deep-clean results.

Pros:

  • Great carpet shampooer.
  • Easy to operate.
  • Worth the money.

Cons:

  • Poorly built machine.

Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Carpet Cleaner for Pets

1. Motor

If you a thick carpet or even shag style carpets, it is crucial to consider the power of the carpet cleaner you want to buy. In this case, you need a more powerful motor to get a deeper clean. A powerful cleaner will ensure that the stains and odor from your pets are removed completely.

2. Hose length 

Most carpet cleaners have hose attachments that extend up to 10 feet, while some other models have no hose at all. A carpet cleaner with a 10 ft. hose offers great range; however, the longer the hose, the farther the cleaning solution/water has to travel to get to the carpet to be cleaned. During this movement, the water temperature cools, minimizing the effectiveness of the carpet cleaner. 

Conversely, a 10 feet hose attachment will allow you to access under heavy pieces of furniture such as your bed or sofa.

3. Portability and weight

Portable carpet cleaners are lighter and are easily moved into any position. You can also move mid-weight units around; however, they cannot do heavy-duty cleaning, although they do a better job than small handheld machines. Before buying a carpet cleaner, consider your physical limits, the number of levels in your home, and the amount of carpeting. For instance, if you live in a house with a basement, two extra carpet levels to clean, and the main floor, a portable carpet cleaner might be your best option. 

It is also crucial to keep in mind the weight of the carpet cleaner. You might need to carry the unit to the basement down the stairs.

4. Whole-house cleaning vs. spot cleaning

Whole-house cleaners have strong motors which are capable of producing powerful suction when rotating thick cleaning brushes. These units may have the versatility of performing more than one cleaning method as well. They are expensive than spot cleaner machines and use more cleaning solutions; therefore, they are ideal for larger homes with many carpeted rooms that see heavy traffic.

Spot cleaning carpet cleaners are portable, lightweight, and less expensive than whole-house units; however, the suction is not sturdy as larger models. They are perfect for use on stairs and homes with just one or two carpeted rooms or loose area carpets.

5. Accessories

These attachments can be added to the entry port or a hose to clean different materials, reach tight spaces, or deal with pet odors and stains. Some popular types include crevice-cleaning attachments, upholstery tools, or rotating brushes that lift tough, stuck-on stains.

6. Brush type

Most carpet cleaners have a brush roll to move around carpet fibers. Since the brush can become tangled with fibers or hair, consider how simple it is to access the brush for cleaning. Some carpet cleaners come with a removable cover that makes it easy to clean the brush roll without disassembling the carpet cleaner.

Many models also include extra brush or tool attachments to match different cleaning situations. If you experience frequent stains or spills, consider a carpet cleaner that includes a tool designed specifically to treat tough stains with increased agitation.


Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Carpet Cleaners

1. How regularly should one use a carpet cleaner?

Many people maintain the cleanliness and appearance of their rugs and carpets by using a carpet cleaner regularly. Some people use a carpet cleaner machine on a weekly or monthly basis; however, your specific needs will differ based on the kind of carpet you have in your home, the volume of foot traffic, habits that contribute to more swift dirt build-up, and the kids and pets in the house.

2. How do carpet cleaner machines function?

A carpet cleaner machine dispenses liquid cleaning products, and then a brush gently scrubs carpet fibers to remove as much dirt as possible. Lastly, the unit is tasked with suctioning up the loosened grime, dirt, and moisture into an onboard tank.

3. What type of stains can carpet cleaner machines remove

Stains from mud, dirt, grease, oil, food, and drink can be reduced or eliminated with the help of a carpet cleaner. Some stains disappear with a single treatment, while others may need repeated cleaning sessions. To take stain-fighting power another level, you might consider using specialty carpet cleaning products like those formulated for pet stains.

4. Can carpet cleaner machines remove pet odors?

The best answer, for now, is, sometimes. Whether or not a carpet cleaner will remove pet odors depends on whether the padding underneath the carpet has been contaminated. Nonetheless, if you use a carpet cleaner machine in combination with an enzymatic cleaner, you will likely neutralize the odor successfully.

Conclusion 

BISSELL Big Green Professional carpet cleaner is our best overall carpet cleaning machine for pets. It is a heavy-duty machine that uses shampooing, hot water extraction, and an extra-large rotary brush to scrub deep into carpet fibers to produce results that exceed professional carpet cleaning standards. Additionally, it has a 9-foot hose that can extend under sofas, beds, and other tight spaces plus, an adjustable handle so you can select the height that is comfortable and best for you.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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