There’s nothing worse than a stained or dingy car carpet. If you’ve ever owned a pet, you know the struggle of trying to keep your car’s carpet looking clean. Whether you’ve got a cat who likes to chew on everything or a dog who has decided your car’s upholstery is the perfect place to chew, upholstery will inevitably get stained and dingy.
Luckily, there are tons of options when it comes to finding the best car carpet cleaners. We’ve rounded up the most popular car carpet cleaners according to reviews from actual customers on Amazon who have purchased and used these products for themselves.
Read on for the best car carpet cleaners.
Our Editor’s Best Car Carpet Cleaners Reviews
- EVERY PURCHASE SAVES PETS. Every purchase makes it possible for BISSELL to continue our support of BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission of saving pets in need.
- SAVE YOUR SANCTUARY: Tackle spills and pet stains while removing dander, dust, and pollen allergens.
- CLEANS MORE THAN CARPET: Spray, scrub, and suction to remove embedded dirt and stains from upholstery, car interiors, pet beds, and more.
- INCLUDES: 4” Tough Stain Tool with removeable lens, HydroRinse self-cleaning hose tool, and 8oz. BISSELL Little Green Formula.
- EASY STORAGE: Conveniently stores in small spaces - perfect for cabinets, closets, and more.
- FOAMING FABRIC CLEAN KIT (HOL315) – Trusted by detailers and car care enthusiasts, this car detailing kit deep cleans and deodorizes carpets, upholstery, and floor mats with high-foaming action and fresh citrus scent
- POWERFUL STAIN AND ODOR REMOVAL – This car interior cleaner breaks down tough stains from coffee, soda, food, and pets while neutralizing odors at the source for lasting freshness
- DRILL BRUSH ATTACHMENT – This Chemical Guys kit includes a drill brush that agitates and lifts dirt from fabric fibers, delivering faster, more effective cleaning with minimal effort
- SAFE ON FABRICS AND UPHOLSTERY – Gentle yet effective car upholstery cleaner formula works on synthetic and natural fibers without causing fading or damage
- EASY TO USE - Spray the Chemical Guys fabric cleaner directly onto surface, agitate with the drill brush or by hand, and blot or vacuum for a clean, fresh-smelling finish
- FOAMING FABRIC CLEAN (CWS20316) – High-foaming carpet and car upholstery cleaner penetrates deep into carpet, upholstery, and floor mat fibers to lift dirt, debris, and stains for a restored, like-new appearance
- SAFE ON FABRICS – Works on synthetic and natural fibers without causing discoloration or fading; ideal as car carpet, delicate interior fabric, and cloth car seat cleaner
- REMOVES STAINS AND ODORS – Car fabric cleaner targets stubborn coffee, soda, food, and pet stains while neutralizing odors at the source, leaving a fresh citrus scent after cleaning
- VERSATILE USE – Perfect for car interiors, RV cabins, boat seating, home furniture, and office chairs; the car fabric seat cleaner restores comfort and cleanliness to any fabric surface
- EASY TO USE – Shake well and dilute Chemical Guys fabric cleaner directly onto fabric, agitate with a brush to loosen grime, then blot or vacuum for professional-level cleaning results without harsh chemicals
- Shark StainStriker is a portable carpet and upholstery cleaner with pet mess extractor, bonus XL tool, and full-size solutions. Dual-activated formula and ultra-powerful suction remove spots and stains—perfect for pets, cars, and whole-home cleaning.
- POWERFUL TOUGH STAIN ELIMINATION: Shark’s dual-activated solution automatically mixes inside the handheld spot & stain remover to deliver 20x more stain-striking power.*
- PERFECT FOR PETS: Instantly & permanently removes stubborn, lingering odors – even pet urine and smoke.^
- ULTRA-POWERFUL SUCTION: Pulls out embedded spots and stains to deliver like-new results.
- WHOLE HOME CLEANING: Designed to remove spots and stains from carpets, area rugs, upholstery, car interiors, and more.
- Carpet & Upholstery: One 22 oz can of Armor All New Car Scent FRESH FX Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner With Scrub Brush
- 3-in-1 Action: Car interior cleaner features 3-in-1 power foam that cleans, lifts tough stains and eliminates odors
- For Interior: New Car Scent freshens your car interior with light fragrance
- Works Fast: Fast-acting foaming cleaner lifts away dirt and debris
- Great for Tough Stains: Quickly breaks down even tough stains like mud, salt, grease, food and coffee
- Powerful Stain & Dirt Removal: Carpet Bomber is a high-performance carpet and upholstery cleaner that effortlessly lifts tough stains from fabric, vinyl, and upholstery. Designed to penetrate deep into fibers, it removes dirt, grease, and grime, restoring your vehicle’s interior to a like-new condition
- Odor-Eliminating Citrus-Based Formula: Unlike traditional cleaners, Carpet Bomber features a citrus-based formula that doesn’t just mask odors—it eliminates them at the source. It tackles embedded dirt and grease while leaving behind a fresh, pleasant citrus scent
- Highly Dilutable for Versatile Cleaning: Use Carpet Bomber straight out of the bottle for maximum cleaning power on carpets, upholstery, engines, and wheel wells, or dilute it up to 8:1 with water for lighter cleaning tasks. This flexibility makes it a cost-effective and powerful solution for all detailing needs
- Multi-Purpose Cleaning Solution: Not just for vehicles, Carpet Bomber is perfect for home use as well. Use it to clean carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture, making it an excellent all-around cleaner for tackling pet and human messes inside and outside the car
- Detailer-Trusted Formula from the Renny Doyle Double Black Collection: Part of the renowned Renny Doyle Double Black Collection, Carpet Bomber is trusted by professional detailers for its deep-cleaning capabilities. P&S has over 50 years of experience creating top-tier detailing products that deliver outstanding results
- CHEMICAL GUYS LIGHTNING FAST STAIN EXTRACTOR (SPI_191_16) – Professional-strength stain remover formula penetrates deep into carpet, upholstery, and fabric to quickly break down and lift stains, dirt, and odors for a restored, like-new look
- SAFE FOR NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC FIBERS – This car upholstery stain remover works on automotive interiors, home furniture, office chairs, rugs, and mats without causing fading, discoloration, or damage to delicate materials
- REMOVES TOUGH STAINS AND ODORS – A carpet stain remover that targets coffee, soda, wine, food, pet messes, and more while neutralizing lingering smells, leaving a clean, fresh scent behind after each use
- EASY TO USE SPRAY APPLICATION – Spray directly onto the affected area, agitate with a brush to loosen grime, and blot or vacuum away for professional results in minutes; great as an upholstery cleaner for furniture or auto upholstery cleaner
- DETAILER-APPROVED RESULTS AT HOME – Trusted by professional detailers, this upholstery cleaner spray delivers deep cleaning performance, giving any fabric surface a revived look, feel, and smell without harsh chemicals
- AMERICA'S #1 BRAND IN PORTABLE DEEP CLEANING: Trusted by over 7 million households.
- TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF MESS: Scientifically proven to lift and remove 100+ common messes and stains.
- ULTRA-POWERFUL TRIPLE ACTION FORMULA: Permanently removes stains and powerfully eliminates ordors for “like new” results.
- LARGE 48OZ. CLEAN WATER TANK: Clean more, uninterrupted, with large capacity clean water tank.
- EASY STAIN REMOVAL: Just spray, scrub & suction.
- CORDLESS CONVENIENCE: HAUSHOF spot cleaner for carpet and upholstery features a cordless design that lets you grab and go for quick cleanups around your home or car. The built-in lithium battery of the mini shampooer offers lasting runtime, so you’re always ready to clean wherever and whenever, easily tackling hard-to-reach areas like sofas, stairs, corners, and crevices
- 3-IN-1 DEEP CLEAN: The small carpet cleaner machine features spray, scrub, and suction functions all in one unit, powered by 6.5KPa of strong suction. The mini carpet cleaner tackles tough stains like pet urine, red wine, and coffee spills on various surfaces. With a simple, intuitive process, the spot cleaner helps restore freshness fast- no tool switching, just efficient cleaning
- DUAL TANK DESIGN: The handheld carpet cleaner features a 7oz clean water tank and a 12oz dirty water tank, keeping clean and dirty water separate to avoid cross-contamination. The removable tank of cordless carpet cleaner is easy to fill, empty, and rinse, ensuring a more efficient and hygienic cleaning process, so you can feel confident using it in your home
- MULTI-FABRIC CLEANER: This hand held carpet cleaner comes with a dedicated powerful multi-fabric cleaner, suitable for various fabric surfaces. The hand held carpet cleaner machine effectively removes stains from mattresses, sofas, fabric chairs, carpets, car seats, etc., without harming fabrics or hands, providing a professional cleaning that leaves your entire home spotless
- LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE: This small carpet cleaner weighs only 3.75 lbs, making it easy to carry and tackle hard-to-reach areas. Its compact design ensures simple storage, allowing for easy access whenever needed. The mini carpet cleaner machine is ideal for handling emergencies like pet messes, spills, and other quick cleaning tasks, delivering effortless cleaning and enhanced convenience
- Tuff Stuff Multi Purpose Foam Cleaner offers powerful cleaning for tough jobs on a variety of surfaces. Thick foaming action helps to lift dirt off of almost any surface for a versatile interior car cleaner. Use this multi purpose cleaner as a carpet cleaning foam, fabric cleaner, vinyl cleaner, or car upholstery cleaner. Simply spray the car interior cleaner on the dirty or stained surfaces and let it work for 30 to 40 seconds. Scrub the area if needed and wipe away the carpet wash and car seat cleaner with a clean cloth. It also works in your garage or home on painted walls, tile and floors.
- One 22 oz can of Tuff Stuff Multi Purpose Foam Cleaner
- Multi purpose cleaner works on a variety of surfaces for tough cleaning
- Car interior cleaner deep cleans fabric, carpet, vinyl and other surfaces
- Thick foaming action makes this car upholstery cleaner and carpet cleaning foam effective
Best Car Carpet Cleaners Buying Guide
Before choosing the best car carpet cleaner you should consider following options:
1. Types of carpet cleaner: There are several types of carpet cleaner available in the market. You can choose based on your requirements.
1.1 Water-based cleaners: These are the most popular and widely available carpet cleaners. They are available in liquid form and require water to work.
The liquid is sucked into the machine from a tank in the form of bubbles. The cleaning compound along with water is sucked into the machine and is spread evenly.
This is done using the rotating brushes attached to the machine. The dirt is scrubbed and the solution is sucked back into the tank.
The advantage of this type of carpet cleaner is that it is eco-friendly and safe to use on all types of carpets.
However, you need to ensure that you do not use too much water while cleaning the carpets as they can get wet and lead to mold formation.
1.2 Dry cleaners: These carpet cleaners use chemicals to clean carpets. The chemicals are sprayed over the carpets and left to act for a specified period.
They are then vacuumed to remove the dirt along the solution. The advantage of this type of cleaner is that it is safe for all kinds of carpets.
However, the disadvantage is that it is not suitable for clean carpets as the chemicals can damage them. Also, you have to ensure that you use the right amount of chemicals that is suitable for carpets.
1.3 Hot water cleaners: These cleaners use hot water and detergent to clean carpets. They have a tank, where hot water is stored.
The hot water is sucked into the machine and is spread evenly over the carpet using a rotating brush. The dirt is scrubbed and the solution is sucked back into the tank.
The advantage of this type of carpet cleaner is that it can be used to clean carpets and rugs. However, the disadvantage is that it is not suitable for scrubbing tough dirt and can damage delicate carpets.
1.4 Steam cleaners: These cleaners use steam to clean carpets. They have a tank where water is heated with the help of electricity or gas.
The steam is sucked into the machine and is spread evenly over the carpet using a rotating brush. The dirt is scrubbed and the solution is sucked back into the tank.
The advantage of this type of carpet cleaner is that it is suitable for cleaning all kinds of carpets. However, the disadvantage is that it can damage delicate carpets.
1.5 Rug cleaners: Rug cleaners are specially made for cleaning carpets. They come with a special attachment for scrubbing carpets.
They also have a special tank that collects the dirt and solution. The advantage of this type of cleaner is that it can be used for scrubbing all kinds of carpets.
However, the disadvantage is that it is not suitable for cleaning delicate carpets.
1.6 Portable cleaners: These are smaller versions of carpet cleaners. They are mainly used for cleaning stairs and rugs. They come with a special attachment for scrubbing carpets.
They also have a special tank that collects the dirt and solution. The advantage of this type of cleaner is that it can be used to clean carpets and rugs. However, the disadvantage is that it is not suitable for cleaning delicate carpets.
1.7 Steam/dry combination cleaners: These are specially made for cleaning carpets. They have a special attachment for scrubbing carpets and a special tank to collect the solution.
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What else you should know about car carpet cleaners
1. What are the best car carpet cleaners on the market?
There are many different types of car carpet cleaners on the market. Some are designed for specific types of stains, while others are more general purpose. Some of the best car carpet cleaners include the following:
1. Bissell SpotClean ProHeat Portable Spot and Stain Cleaner
2. Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner
3. Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner
4. Stanley Steemer Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
5. Vax Rapide Ultra Carpet Cleaner
2. What are the features of a good car carpet cleaner?
Some features of a good car carpet cleaner include: being able to clean all types of carpets, having a powerful motor, being lightweight and easy to maneuver, having a long power cord, and having a warranty.
3. How do I choose the right car carpet cleaner for my needs?
The best way to choose a car carpet cleaner is to read reviews and compare products. You should also consider the size and power of the machine, as well as the type of carpet you have.
4. What are the benefits of using a car carpet cleaner?
Some benefits of using a car carpet cleaner include:
-saving money on professional carpet cleaning services
-being able to clean carpets in hard-to-reach places
-removing tough stains and dirt from carpets
5. How do I use a car carpet cleaner effectively?
To use a car carpet cleaner effectively, you will need to vacuum the carpets and seats first. Then, you will need to apply the cleaner to the carpets and scrub with a brush. Finally, you will need to vacuum the carpets again.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best car carpet cleaners. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best car carpet cleaners will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.