The Best Carpet Stain Removers to Tackle Fresh and Set Stains (2024)

What impresses us most about Bissell's Professional Pet Stain and Odor formula is that it contains enzymes to tackle stains and lingering odors to keep pets from returning to soil the same spot again and again. And we found it's not just for pet messes. In our tests, it removed some of the toughest food and drink stains like red wine and tomato sauce.

While the enzymes go to work immediately, they are even more effective if you cover the spot with a damp towel and give them up to 12 hours to work, eradicating the deep-set odors that your pet will likely notice. It's also perfect for tackling any organic or protein stains, like potty accidents or spilled milk. And it's not just for carpets — use it on upholstery, mattresses or in your car too.

We used Folex to remove an old grease stain on a wool area rug and some mystery stains on a low-pile carpet and we were wowed. 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, the cleaner was easy to blot out and left no residue behind, even without rinsing.

Without 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 with over 72,000 five-star Amazon ratings, it's a consumer favorite too, especially when you consider the affordable price point relative to the amount of cleaner in each bottle.

We've tested Rocco & Roxie's Stain & Odor Eliminator both in the Lab and with consumer testers. It did a good job overall removing our test stains, especially tomato sauce, chocolate syrup and coffee. And a consumer tester whose dog had an accident on an area rug shared, "It did an excellent job neutralizing the odor and removing the stain." With over 78,000 five-star Amazon reviews, consumers agree. This enzyme formula has earned the Carpet and Rug Institute's Seal of Approval, meaning this 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, as 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 what has penetrated into the carpet backing too. 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 only five minutes and continues to clean even after blotting it with a damp cloth.

While the hydrogen peroxide and cleaning ingredients work very well on fresh stains, we did find that 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 allow you to break through old, dried stains and work in 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 overall dinge and greying that makes a carpet look dirty. When regular vacuuming isn't enough and a deep cleaning 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 sit 30 minutes to give the moist granules time to absorb embedded dust and dirt, then vacuum. For fresh spills, blot, then sprinkle on Capture. Work it into the stain, allow it to dry completely and vacuum.

We like that it's easy to use and offers a dry, safe cleaning option, especially for fussy fabrics like antique rugs. For very heavy soil and set-in stains, you may need to use Capture's pre-spray before sprinkling on the granules.

Woolite carpet stain removers perform 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 kills 99.9% of two types of bacteria to sanitize soft surfaces like carpet, upholstery, bathroom mats, mattresses, pet beds and even car seats.

Simply apply an even mist to the soiled area, wait the required time, blot with a damp cloth and air dry. Carpets take one hour to clean and sanitize while other soft surfaces need to remain wet for only one minute.

Reviewers rave that application is both quick and easy, and they praise the fresh scent the product leaves behind. It's not recommended for use on velvet or silk upholstery or carpets made of wool or polypropylene/olefin fibers.

White carpets and couches seem to be magnets for red wine stains, but with Wine Away on hand, you can relax with your glass of cabernet. This formula topped our Cleaning Lab tests of red wine stain removers on both fabric and carpet. And you can use it on clothing too. We found it both easy to use and effective.

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 out of carpeting so there's no grime-grabbing residue left behind. For the toughest stains, you may need to follow up with a second application.

Method has a reputation for making high-quality plant-based cleaners. We tested this Stain and Odor Treatment Spray and honored it with a for its super stain-busting abilities. Testers found the clear formula exceptionally easy to use. For one, it effectively eradicated stains from wool carpeting and completely removed an old stain from a brocade dining room chair seat when nothing else could.

We found it easy to rinse and blot the cleaner from carpets and upholstery, even when old stains needed several applications of cleaning solution. The invigorating — but not at all overpowering — spearmint sage scent is a nice bonus. Though it requires 10 minutes to fully work, online reviewers rave about the scent and the product's ability to negate odors.

Unlike clothing that you can toss into the washing machine, removing stains from carpets takes some know-how and patience. The most important thing to remember is that you want to pull the stain up and out of the carpet, not rub it in deeper. When a spill happens, don't panic. (We know, that's easier said than done!) Simply reach for some absorbent cloths or paper towels and blot up as much as you can. Doing so will make whatever's left so much easier to remove. Once you've blotted, follow these steps for the greatest stain-removal success.

1. Apply enough cleaner. For fresh stains, we recommend applying carpet stain remover sparingly or to a cloth first before tackling a stain to make it easier to rinse out, but old stains need more direct contact. Spray on enough remover to start dissolving a stain and work it gently into the tufts — all the way to the backing — with your fingers or a soft brush. Avoid over-saturating the stain. It's better to do multiple applications with a rinse in between than to apply it all at once.
2. Give the cleaner time to work. Wait about five minutes to give the cleaner time to tackle the stain. (Check product packaging for any specifics related to the product you're working with.)
3. Rinse and blot. Fill a spray bottle with clear water, spritz the stain, and blot with a clean, dry cloth. Repeat until all traces of the carpet cleaner, suds and stain are removed. Residue left behind only attracts future grime.
4. Wick away residue. Fold a sheet of paper towel in quarters and place it on top of where you removed the stain. Weigh it down with a heavy pot or vase and leave it overnight. Any stain residue that's hiding deep in the pile will work its way up and into the paper towel as the carpet dries.
5. Toss the towel and fluff. In the morning, remove and toss the stained paper towel. Fluff the pile with your fingers and let it finish air drying.
6. Repeat these steps as needed. For any lingering stain, you can also try applying a little hydrogen peroxide (an ingredient in many of our picks above) to the affected area with a cotton swab. It acts like an all-fabric bleach and should be safe for most carpet fibers, but it's always a good idea to test it on a hidden spot first.

Carolyn Forté is a consumer products expert with over 40 years of experience. With a background in textiles and years of testing carpet cleaners and portable carpet cleaning machines, she knows a thing or two about getting stains out. At home, it's shoes off in her household, but the occasional coffee dribble in the den and sauce splash in the dining room give her plenty of carpet and rug cleaning challenges. Carolyn is the Executive Director of Good Housekeeping's Home Care & Cleaning Lab, writes the monthly "Inside the GH Cleaning Lab" advice and tips column and has authored numerous home care and cleaning books.

Brigitt Earley is a writer, editor and content creator with over 15 years of experience writing about home and cleaning products of all kinds, including carpet cleaners and other stain-removing sprays and tools. She worked under the guidance of experts at The Good Housekeeping Institute to research and write about the carpet cleaners in this story.