True story: someone on the New York Post Shopping team (perhaps the byline you see above, but we plead the fifth) spilt bright red and lavender nail polish all over her textured white carpet. We actually found that the multi-purpose Antimicrobial Tool was just as efficient for rugs and carpets, but it’s nice to have the option of a secondary solution. There’s also a 250ml pre-treatment solution included in the box, designed for tougher stains, and a handy accessory bag to keep all the tools, hose, and cleaning heads compactly stored when not in use. Liquid: While some liquid carpet cleaners come in stand-alone format (such as trigger spray bottles) many carpet shampoo liquids are suitable for use with full-sized upright carpet cleaners such as a Vax, Rug Doctor or Bissell machine. While most brands are interchangeable (and you don’t necessarily need to opt for branded detergents), many Mumsnet users praised the carpet cleaner shampoos for their cleaning results, with bottles going a long way despite their substantial cost.

Carpet cleaners combine water, cleaning solution, motorized brushes and suction for deep cleaning,” McCoy explains. “You can find models designed to clean fully carpeted rooms and models designed for spot cleaning.” To compile this buyer’s guide, we first tapped into the views of Mumsnet users for tried and tested recommendations. We then researched which carpet shampoos and detergents are well regarded by cleaning professionals and industry experts, before seeking the views of impartial consumer champion Which?.

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BISSELL's antibacterial formula deep cleans beyond what's seen by controlling odour-causing bacteria and eliminating odours at the source, leaving carpets clean and refreshed. Carpets look wonderful and feel bouncy underfoot when they’re new. Add in children, pets and day-to-day spills, however and your once pristine carpets can soon appear dull and dirty.

Lucy has previously reviewed a number of carpet cleaning brands on her own channels, testing shampoos and carpet cleaners for their stain removal and ability to eliminate odours. Yes! Most area rugs, unless washable, cannot go into the washing machine, so carpet cleaning is an excellent alternative to keeping your rugs fresh and colorful throughout the years. Let’s state the obvious — they clean your carpet. But, for a first-time user, there are some notes to keep in mind. If you’d like to extend time between deep cleans, consider purchasing a carpet with enhanced durability and stain resistant technology. What’s the main difference between a carpet cleaner and a vacuum?It’s recommended that you vacuum the area before applying detergent, particularly if doing smaller spot cleans and stain removal. The most effective way to clean large areas of carpet is to use (or hire) a carpet cleaning machine, provide excellent coverage and spread the detergent evenly across the entire area. What’s the best way to get rid of carpet stains? There is a lot of debate within the Mumsnet forums on how to remove stains and clean carpets, with many users sharing their hints and tips on the best carpet shampoos, stain removers and cleaners for the job. When she’s not manically tapping the keys of her laptop, Lucy loves nothing more than to cosy up with her Kindle and enjoy the latest thriller, or compete in Nintendo Switch rallies with her daughters aged six and 10. Why you should trust us BISSELL Wash & Remove + Antibacterial Formula is the first deep-cleaner formula on the market designed to clean and control odour-causing bacteria Carpet shampoos, detergents and spot-cleaning sprays come in a variety of formats. The product you use will depend on your needs and preferred method of application.

BISSELL Wash & Remove + Antibacterial Formula is the first deep-cleaner formula on the market designed to clean and control odour-causing bacteria. That is, or may reasonably be considered to be, defamatory, libelous, hateful, racially or religiously biased or offensive, unlawfully threatening or unlawfully harassing to any individual, partnership or corporation; Between cleanings, you should be taking care of your carpet through vacuuming, changing your HVAC filters regularly, and placing door mats near your entryways to collect dirt and debris,” McCoy adds. Instructions for using carpet shampoo will vary depending on the brand and method of application, so you should always read the instructions carefully before use. If in doubt, perform a small patch test on an inconspicuous area of carpet to assess results before committing to use on a larger area. For any content that you submit, you grant Vax a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, transferable right and license to use, copy, modify, delete in its entirety, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from and/or sell and/or distribute such content and/or incorporate such content into any form, medium or technology throughout the world without compensation to you.A carpet cleaner is great for extending the lifetime of your carpet and keeping its colors bright,” Gary McCoy, store manager at Central Charlotte Lowe’s, told the New York Post. “A quality carpet cleaner will depend on your needs, though you should keep in mind that models can vary in size, height, weight, portability and intended use.” Carpet cleaners designed to clean up pet messes usually come equipped with the tools to lift tough stains and eliminate smells,” he adds. “They are also typically lightweight so that pet owners can clean harder-to-reach messes.” Can you use a carpet cleaner on an area rug? Read next: The best vacuum cleaners to buy, reviewed, rated and ranked Best carpet shampoos at a glance

Weighing 7.4kg and measuring 107cm high, the Vax Platinum Smartwash Carpet Cleaner can feel a little bulky when you first use it. It’s shaped like an upright vacuum cleaner but is a little more awkward to manoeuvre around your home. Once we got used to the feel of it, however, we found it easy to use. There’s a handle on the front of the body, which made lifting it up the stairs relatively easy.How often you use your carpet cleaner can vary depending on your lifestyle – pets and kids will naturally create more stains and messes – as well as your carpet type and age.But, as a rule of thumb, you should look to use your carpet cleaner every year or so.