Buyer's Guide: Best Carpet Shampoos

That soft, fuzzy feeling beneath your feet makes carpeting an absolute joy to have in your home! Their homely nature only adds to the perks of decorating rooms and hallways with fresh-smelling carpets and area rugs regardless of what type of flooring you have. Of course, that can all quickly change when your lovely carpets encounter dirt, grease, and stains, or simply begin to smell bad from lack of deep cleaning and other factors like mould or mildew. 

Perhaps, you’ve dealt with similar carpet cleaning challenges in the past and the results have been fairly satisfying; however, do you ever wonder what it will take to make you step back and say “my carpet looks as good as new again, and smells great too”? Well, the answer lies in finding the best carpet shampoo to clean up any mess, remove any stain, and get rid of any foul odour!

Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place where MaidForYou has saved you the trouble of doing tons of research and trying out dozens of products with our top picks for the best carpet shampoo in 2023! Depending on your carpet cleaning goals or requirements, we have compiled a list of awesome carpet shampoos that are highly recommended for general cleaning and/or specific cleaning purposes. 

Before we get to ten of 2023’s best carpet shampoos, take a quick look at our top five picks below.

MaidForYou’s 5 Favourite Carpet Shampoos of 2023

Are you looking for the best pet stain remover, the best budget-friendly carpet shampoo, or the best overall solution for general cleaning? Well, regardless of what you’re in the market for, we’ve got you covered! 

Here are our tried and tested top picks for the best carpet shampoo products this year.

Best Overall Carpet Shampoo:Bissell Deep Clean Pro 4X Concentrated Carpet Shampoo 

WHY?

For an all-in-one carpet cleaning solution, this product edges out the competition with its aggressive formula that safely removes stains and odours while offering a deeper clean by tackling ground-in debris.

Pros:

• Good value for money due to its high concentration
• Safe for carpets, area rugs, and upholstery
• Biodegradable
• Effective stain remover
• Targets heavily soiled, ground-in dirt
• Removes bad carpet odours

Best Carpet Shampoo to Remove Pet Stains & Odours: Bissell Professional Pet Urine Eliminator, Carpet Shampoo

WHY?

This product is perfect for spot cleaning pet urine stains and pet mess. It will get rid of ugly patches entirely while also taking care of the bad odour that tends to linger even after a pet stain has been removed. 

Pros:

• Safe for pets
• Removes all types of stains
• Freshens up the carpet
• Offers optimal results when used with Rug Doctors

Best Carpet Shampoo for Cars: Nature's Miracle Scented Stain and Odour Remover

WHY?

Yet another child and pet safe product, this car carpet and shampoo is the ultimate deep cleansing solution for dirty, grimy carpeting, chairs and upholstery in vehicles. It removes stains and odours by tackling dirt and debris trapped deep within the fibres. Additionally, the product foams minimally which means it is not messy to use inside a car.

Pros:

• Non-toxic
• Freshens up carpeting
• Treats common car carpet stains including mud and grease
• Eliminates odours
• Low-foaming product
• Cleans deeply

Best Cleaning Solution for Carpet Machines: Carpet Miracle Concentrated Machine Shampoo, Stain Remover

WHY?

Thanks to the lack of chemical foaming agents in the concentration, you get a no-mess, eco-friendly carpet shampoo that is also child and pet safe. Suitable for all types of carpet cleaning machines, the cleaning solution is easy to use and highly effective in removing stubborn carpet stains.

Pros:

• Foam-free
• Revitalises carpet fibres
• Non-toxic 
• Removes tough carpet stains
• Can be used in all carpet machines

Best Budget-Friendly Carpet Shampoo: Zep’s All-Purpose Carpet Shampoo

WHY?

Not only is the product priced lower than most carpets shampoos of this quality, it offers massive savings thanks to its high concentration. Users get approximately 25 gallons of carpet cleaner per 1 gallon of the solution when diluted with water and used in a carpet machine.

Pros:

• Great value for money
• Removes stains
• Leaves carpets smelling pleasant
• Suitable for cleaning carpeting in vehicles
• Repels stains and dirt to keep carpets cleaner for longer

Compare The 10 Best Carpet Shampoos of 2023

To keep your carpet in perfect condition, finding the right cleaning product is imperative. Right from removing stains and tackling ground-in dirt and grime to getting rid of strong, foul odours and brightening up the fibres; without the best carpet shampoo at your disposal, your carpet will never look the same again. 

More importantly, to prevent irreparable damage to the carpet, your product of choice must be safe to use in the first place. So, spare a few minutes to carefully read and compare the products below, and you will surely find the most suitable and effective shampoo to meet your carpet cleaning needs!

1) Bissell Deep Clean Pro 4X Concentrated Carpet Shampoo

Say hello to a carpet shampoo that will tackle stains and odours from the tip of the tufts, right down to the backing. The aggressive nature of the product ensures a thorough, deep clean yet its lack of colouring, phosphates, and metals makes it a safe carpet shampoo for upholstery, and area rugs, and also safe to use in homes with pets and kids. Even better, it is one of the few carpet cleaning products that is biodegradable!

One of the biggest perks that customers rave about is the carpet shampoo’s ability to remove stubborn stains, as well as lingering musty or bad odours. For heavily soiled carpets or carpeting that has not been cleaned in a long time, the Deep Clean Pro X4 from Bissell is a go-to carpet shampoo to clean up, brighten, and refresh those dull and dirty carpet fibres. 

NOTE: Due to its high concentration, the product has a strong smell even when diluted and applied, however, the odour will wear off a few hours after the carpet has been shampooed.

2) Carpet Miracle Concentrated Machine Shampoo, Stain Remover

With a 100% satisfaction guarantee, you know you can’t go wrong with this all-in-one carpet cleaning solution! It works perfectly well in all carpet cleaning machines including leading brands like Dyson, Rug Doctor, Bissell, and Kenmore. The contents that make up this formula offer deep cleaning and removal of stains which leave your carpet fibres feeling as soft and plush as the day you bought them! Yet another perk is the fact that it is non-toxic and therefore, safe for the environment, kids, and pets.

Although highly effective in cleaning carpets when used in a machine, you can also use the shampoo on other surfaces that permit water such as upholstery, rugs, flooring, and furniture. If that wasn’t enough, the non-foaming cleanser can remove all types of stains from carpeting including makeup, pet urine, and beverages (coffee, wine, juice, etc). Best of all, if you are unsatisfied with the results, the company offers a money-back guarantee so it’s win-win!

3) Nature's Miracle Scented Stain and Odour Remover

The makers behind this product certainly took it up a notch by integrating an odour-neutralising technology that will trap bad carpet smells, and make them disappear! This is achieved with its bi-enzymatic content that works to remove any type of foul carpet odour and replace it with a super fresh scent. The cleaning solution does not contain phosphates which makes it even more appealing to customers who are looking for a child and pet safe carpet stain remover.

If you have a steam cleaner or carpet cleaning machine, it is highly recommended that you use the product with the equipment at your disposal for best results. Of course, you can also dilute the solution and apply it to your carpet with a spray bottle and clean as needed. It is a low-foaming carpet shampoo that is formulated to tackle tough stains and clean deeply by eliminating dirt and grime sitting at the bottom of the tufts. 

NOTE: Depending on the severity of the stain and/or cause of the odour, you may need to repeat the cleaning process 2-3 times before the results are 100% satisfactory. 

4) Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover, 32 oz

Stains don’t stand a chance at staying put when this spot remover from Folex is introduced to your carpet! From hot and cold beverage stains to muddy shoe prints and pet stains, all you need to do is dilute the shampoo, pour it into a carpet cleaning machine dispenser, and start the spot cleaning process. Depending on the level of dirt and/or type of stain you are dealing with, you can adjust the strength of the carpet cleaning solution by mixing anywhere between 1 part product to 4 - 6 parts water.

What makes this carpet shampoo so easy and convenient to use is the fact that it does not contain soap properties; therefore, you needn’t worry about spending an additional amount of time to rinse off the carpet after it has been cleaned. Along with carpeting, you can use this product to spot clean area rugs and upholstery as well.

5) Bissell Professional Pet Urine Eliminator, Carpet Shampoo

Best suited for upright models, the formula can be diluted and used in carpet cleaning machines to banish tough pet stains, and the foul odour they leave behind on carpets. It is 100% pet-safe and biodegradable, containing no artificial colouring or metallic chemical elements. Additionally, the cleaning properties present in the concentration aid in protecting carpet fibres from future stains (provided that it is used routinely).

While it is specially formulated to take care of pet stains on carpet, the shampoo can be used to treat other types of stains and dirt on carpeting such as mud, grass, and soil. As an added perk, you needn’t use a large amount of the product to get the job done thanks to its 2x level of concentration. So, no matter how bad the pet mess on your carpet is, this product is guaranteed to leave the area stain-free, and smelling as pleasant as ever!

6) Bissell Febreze with Gain Carpet Cleaner, 60 oz Full Size Machine Formula

Non-toxic, pleasantly scented, and highly effective in getting out carpet stains; this full size machine formula from Bissell is sought after for all these reasons, and more. Eco-friendly and safe to use in homes with pets and children, it does not contain metallic chemical elements, nor are there artificial colours used in the product. For routine deep cleaning of your carpeting, this shampoo is highly recommended for its long-lasting freshness and cleaning powers that can get rid of most stubborn carpet stains.

In order to achieve a desired clean, combine 50% water and 50% of the product, and get on with the deep cleaning process using an upright carpet machine. After conducting a few trials, this particular carpet shampoo worked wonderfully well with both Bissell and Hoover carpet cleaning machines.

NOTE: Due to its mild scent, it is not very effective in eliminating pet urine odours from carpet.

7) Zep’s All-Purpose Carpet Shampoo

What more could you ask for than a single product that meets multiple carpet cleaning needs? Well, that’s exactly what the All-Purpose Carpet Shampoo from Zep was created to do - tackle stains, clean up dirt and debris, and remove foul odours. That’s not all; its high concentration means one bottle will last you a long time! For every gallon of the shampoo, you get approximately 25 gallons of a stain-fighting carpet cleaning product. Another noteworthy benefit is the formula’s ability to repel common stains and dirt for a long period of time between each deep clean.

There are various ways to use this shampoo which include diluting the formula and spot treating carpet stains; pouring the solution into a carpet machine for a deep clean; and mixing it in a spray bottle to clean carpeting in vehicles. Overall, this carpet shampoo is affordable, effective, and offers even more savings due to its high level of concentration.

8) Bissell Woolite InstaClean Pet Full Size Machine Formula, 32 oz

For a super-fast cleaning method to get rid of pet stains on a carpet, look no further than this amazing carpet cleaning formula from Bissell. The product takes as little as 30 seconds to remove stained patches caused by pet mess/urine while leaving the carpet with a scent that deters house pets from doing their business on it. As all carpet cleaning products should be, this one is completely safe for pets and kids alike.

Ideal for wool carpets, the shampoo can be used in any machine, and has proven to be extremely effective when partnered with deep carpet cleaners from Bissell, Hoover, and Rug Doctor. If needed, users can make a spot-cleaning solution in a spray bottle to quickly banish pet stains by simply saturating the affected area, and gently scrubbing the carpet fibres. After the recommended sitting time, use a carpet machine to finish off the job.

NOTE: As the product dries on the carpet, it may give off a strong or peculiar smell, however, that will go away once the carpet is dry.

9) Bubbas Super Strength Concentrate Pet Odour Eliminator Carpet Shampoo Solution

Customers can expect big value for money with this carpet shampoo that only requires 30-60ml of the product to be mixed in 1 gallon of water to treat pet stains. With this diluted carpet cleaning solution and any carpet machine at your disposal, you can get out stubborn pet urine/soil stains in a jiffy! Say goodbye to those unsightly patches in minutes, along with those nasty smells that seem near impossible to remove.

The shampoo comes with a 100% guarantee which means you can avail a full refund should you be dissatisfied with the results. The chances of that happening, however, are quite slim owing to the product’s excellent deep cleaning properties that tackle stains and dirt from the source. Additionally, the post-clean results generally see the carpet fibres looking brighter and feeling softer while the stains and odours are long gone!

10) Aunt Fannie’s Powdered Carpet Refresher, 16 oz

Between those regular deep cleans, it’s important to give your carpets and area rugs a little pick-me-up in the form of absorbing odours, and freshening them up. For this, a dry carpet shampoo is ideal and very convenient to use. With the Carpet Refresher from Aunt Fannie’s range of carpet cleaning products, all you need to do is spread a thin, even layer of the product over your carpet fibres, and allow it 10-15 minutes sitting time. Finish off by vacuuming up the powder, and your job is done!

It must be noted that dry carpet shampoos are intended to neutralise bad odours and freshen up carpets as opposed to cleaning or removing stains. Nevertheless, you can definitely count on this product to serve its purpose to perfection thanks to the 100% safe, eco-friendly, and effective ingredients that make up the shampoo; some of these include silica, baking soda, and essential oils.

Our Findings

While it’s always a challenge to find a carpet shampoo that will not fall short of your expectations, the products above have been tried and tested, and are guaranteed to serve your carpet cleaning needs. With that said, it is important to know what type of cleaning your carpeting requires in order to purchase the best and most suitable carpet shampoo for the job. The carpet cleaning experts at MaidForYou can help you understand what to look for in a carpet cleaning solution, and aid in maintaining your carpets to perfection via our all-inclusive house cleaning services in Australia!