The Best Carpet Cleaners to Resurrect Your Rugs
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Over time, tramping feet, molting pets, and spilled drinks can take a heavy toll on our hard-working carpets. That pristine pile loses its shine and bounce, fibers get tangled with hair, and stains settle in for the long haul. Surface crumbs and dust might get sucked up regularly by your vacuum, but there’s only so much it can do. For a deep clean that will wet-wash your rugs to lift ingrained dirt and lingering odors, you need a carpet cleaner.
We tested a range of carpet cleaners in busy households with aging carpets that have seen some serious action. These are our picks of the best carpet cleaners in different categories. You'll also find recommended mops and vacs for hard floors. And there's advice on what to consider when buying a carpet cleaner, and how to get the most out of it. For more cleaning recommendations, check out our other guides, like the Best Robot Vacuums, Best Cordless Vacuums, Best Handheld Vacuums, Best Dyson Vacuums, and Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products.
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Updated August 2023: We added the Tineco Carpet One Pro, the Bissell Little Green Cleaner, and the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam. We also updated prices and links throughout.