10 Best Carpet Stain Removers, Tested by Cleaning Experts

We were wowed when we used Folex to remove an old grease stain on a wool area rug and some mystery stains on a low-pile carpet. Both rugs looked cleaner and brighter in seconds and with very little effort. All we had to do was spritz a little on the stains, work it in gently with a fingertip, and blot with a clean, dry cloth. Though it looked a bit sudsy as we worked it into the tufts (which can sometimes make it harder to rinse away), the cleaner was easy to blot out and left no residue, even without rinsing. It's suitable for use on water-safe upholstery, too.

Because it lacks enzymes, it may not be the best choice for organic stains and odors, like pet messes, potty training mishaps, or spilled milk. But it's fast-acting, and it comes at an affordable price point relative to the amount of cleaner in each bottle.

We tested Rocco & Roxie's Stain & Odor Eliminator both in the Lab and with consumer testers. It did a good job removing our test stains, especially tomato sauce, chocolate syrup, and coffee. And a home tester whose dog had had an accident on an area rug shared, "It did an excellent job neutralizing the odor and removing the stain."

This enzyme formula has earned the Carpet and Rug Institute's Seal of Approval, meaning the industry organization has deemed it non-damaging to carpets, despite the need to saturate a stain with the spray. And it's not just for carpets. It also works on hard surfaces like hardwood, tile, litter boxes, and more. You'll have to be patient, though: The manufacturer recommends waiting 60 minutes for it to work before blotting and vacuuming.

This powerful spray is an improved version of a formula we've previously tested and liked. Bissell's Pro Oxy Power Shot trigger directs the spray deep into the carpet to remove not just what's on the surface, but also what has penetrated the carpet backing. This keeps stain residue from wicking back up to the top and reappearing as the carpet dries. And we like that Bissell's Oxy formula lightens and removes stains (like coffee) in just five minutes and continues to clean even after blotting with a damp cloth.

While hydrogen peroxide and cleaning ingredients work very well on fresh stains, stubborn stains may require longer treatment—or even a second application.

Chocolate syrup, tomato sauce, and other spills that set and dry can form a hard crust on the carpet pile that plain sprays just can't penetrate. Carbona's applicator top eliminates that issue. The soft sponge and brush let you break up old, dried stains and apply the foam formula so it can get to work.

We found Carbona easy to use, and the Oxy formula was very effective at removing stains that had set overnight. It had no trouble with spots like red wine and tea, and even performed better than some of the stain-removal machines we've tested.

Just be sure to ever-so-slightly puncture the foil seal on the bottle's top. If you make too big a hole or remove the seal completely, fluid dispenses too quickly or leaks when the bottle is tipped or knocked over.

Sometimes it's not obvious stains but rather overall dinginess and greying that makes a carpet look dirty. When regular vacuuming isn't enough and a deep clean is too much work, a dry powder formula like Capture can freshen and brighten carpets—even delicate ones—without damage.

To use it, liberally sprinkle the porous Capture granules on the pile, then gently work them into the tufts with the brush that comes shrink-wrapped to the canister. Let it sit for 30 minutes to give the moist granules time to absorb embedded dust and dirt, then vacuum. For fresh spills, blot the area and then sprinkle on Capture. Work it into the stain, allow it to dry completely, and vacuum.

We like that it's easy to use on large areas, though the brand recommends using an empty canister or a new bag for best results. It offers a dry, safe cleaning option, especially for fussy fabrics like antique rugs, and is even safe to use on wool and silk. For very heavy soil and set-in stains, you may need to use Capture's Pre-Mist Soil Release before sprinkling on the granules.

Woolite carpet stain removers have performed very well in GH Cleaning Lab tests, and this formula takes cleaning a step further. Woolite's Advanced Stain & Odor Remover + Sanitize not only removes stains but also kills 99.9% of two types of bacteria, sanitizing soft surfaces like carpet, upholstery, bathroom mats, mattresses, pet beds, and even car seats. The hydrogen peroxide even lightens stains.

Simply apply an even mist to the soiled area, wait the required time (one hour for carpets; one minute for other soft surfaces), blot with a damp cloth, and air dry. It's not recommended for use on velvet or silk upholstery or carpets made of wool or polypropylene/olefin fibers.

Light-colored carpets and couches seem to be magnets for red wine stains, so if you like to relax with a glass of cabernet, keep Wine Away on hand. This formula, which also works on ink and berry stains, topped our Cleaning Lab tests of red wine stain removers on both fabric and carpet. You can use it on clothing too. We found it both easy to use and effective. It's even available in a travel-friendly size.

Simply saturate the affected area with the spray, let it work its magic for up to five minutes, then blot and rinse, or launder, according to the manufacturer's instructions. We especially like that it's not sudsy like some carpet stain removers we've tested, and that it rinses easily from carpeting, so there's no grime-grabbing residue left behind. For the toughest stains, you may need to follow up with a second application.

We tested this Stain and Odor Treatment Spray and honored it with a Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning & Organizing Award for its super stain-busting abilities. The plant-based formula is ideal for anyone looking for a product safe to use around pets with a lower environmental impact. Our testers found the clear formula exceptionally easy to use. It effectively eradicated stains from wool carpeting and completely removed an old stain from a brocade dining room chair seat when nothing else could.

Though it takes 10 minutes to fully work, we found it easy to rinse and blot the cleaner from carpets and upholstery, even when old stains required several applications of the cleaning solution. The invigorating—but not overpowering—spearmint-sage scent, along with its ability to neutralize odors, is a nice touch.