It doesn’t matter if you have a brand new puppy or an adult dog; pet accidents happen occasionally. Rather than face a difficult mess without the proper tools, it’s important to make sure that you’re ready to handle whatever life throws at you. To get you started, here are our top 4 carpet cleaners for pets.

Quick Glance of Our Top 4 Pet Carpet Cleaners

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Hoover SmartWash Pet Automatic Carpet Cleaner with...
Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner
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Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Cordless Portable Carpet...
Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner...
Title
Hoover SmartWash Pet Automatic Carpet Cleaner with...
Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner
Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Cordless Portable Carpet...
Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner...
Pre-treating Wand
PowerBrush
Cordless
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Prime Benefits
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
Best Overall
Preview
Hoover SmartWash Pet Automatic Carpet Cleaner with...
Title
Hoover SmartWash Pet Automatic Carpet Cleaner with...
Pre-treating Wand
PowerBrush
Cordless
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Prime Benefits
Amazon Prime
Buy Now
Preview
Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner
Title
Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner
Pre-treating Wand
PowerBrush
Cordless
Customer Rating
Prime Benefits
Amazon Prime
Buy Now
Best Price
Preview
Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Cordless Portable Carpet...
Title
Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Cordless Portable Carpet...
Pre-treating Wand
PowerBrush
Cordless
Customer Rating
Prime Benefits
Amazon Prime
Buy Now
Preview
Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner...
Title
Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner...
Pre-treating Wand
PowerBrush
Cordless
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Amazon Prime
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The Hoover SmartWash PET Complete Automatic Carpet Washer 

Designed to be simple and easy to use, the Hoover SmartWash is perfect for the messes our furry companions may have. This carpet cleaner for pets doesn’t have a trigger or solutions to prepare; it’s designed with users in mind. To clean up a mess, push the vacuum forward to wash and pull back to dry.

In fact, it’s built to work as well as a vacuum functionally. Specifically designed for homes with pets and the accidents they may have.

This carpet cleaner is ideal for anyone needing to freshen up space without complicated systems. 

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Hoover SmartWash Pet Automatic Carpet Cleaner with...
7,636 Reviews
Hoover SmartWash Pet Automatic Carpet Cleaner with...
  • AUTOMATIC CLEANING: The...
  • STAIN REMOVER WAND: The...
  • FASTER DRYING: Use Dry Only...
  • ATTACKS PET STAINS & ODORS:...
  • DUAL TANK SYSTEM: Keeps water...

With a pre-treating wand, you’ll be able to pre-treat any stains as you go or ahead of time to let them soak. The Spot Chaser helps you target tough stains anywhere, from the stairs to your couch and upholstery.

This carpet cleaner also offers the FlexForce Pet PowerBrushes – designed to remove dirt from deep beneath the surface. You’ll also discover the carpet cleaner has a fabulous scrubbing tool designed to make cleaning stairs or furniture.

The FlexForce Pet PowerBrush is an antimicrobial pet tool that makes this carpet cleaner for pets simpler on furniture or stairs. This makes the machine user-friendly, regardless of living conditions.

When you’re finished, remove the holding tank and dump out the dirty water. With the faster ‘dry only’ mode, you’ll get back to reality quickly instead of waiting for your floors to dry. 

Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner Machine

If you’re looking for a whole new level of clean, look no further than the Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner Machine. With powerful motors and an extra-large brush, this carpet cleaner is designed to pull out the deepest dirt.

The anti-tip design prevents your machine from toppling over during or after use, made from high-quality and durable materials. In competitive testing, this carpet cleaner outperformed the average rental.

Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner
15,507 Reviews
Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner
  • Every Purchase Saves Pets....
  • Outcleans the Leading Rental....
  • XL DirtLifter PowerBrush....
  • 9' Long Reach Hose & 6 inches...
  • Use with BISSELL PRO MAX Clean...

It holds the XL Dirtlifter PowerBrush, with eight rows of bristles to truly move and clear stuck debris and dirt. 

With a long reach hose of nine feet, you’ll easily remove stuck-on stains and messes on upholstery and stairs without having to haul the machine around.

The two large water tanks divide clean and soiled water into separate tanks, so you’ll never wash the floors with dirty water.

This machine is also built with the user in mind; with an adjustable handle and a 25-foot power cord, you’ll spend more time cleaning and less time fumbling with the machine. 

Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner

Sometimes you want the ability to spot treat an area without having to pull out a massive machine. That’s why the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser is a must-have product for anyone with pets.

It’s lightweight and compact, making it the best option for those occasional messes that always seem to turn up. This little machine can handle it all from urine, feces, vomit, makeup, and oils. 

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Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Cordless Portable Carpet...
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Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Cordless Portable Carpet...
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  • Grab and go cordless...
  • Formula conveniently stores in...
  • Instantly and permanently...

The handheld carpet cleaner works to spray, scrub, and suction messes from carpet, upholstery, vehicles, and more. Using a lithium-powered battery, you’ll never be locked into a cord again.

With a built-in scrub brush and high-powered suction, getting rid of stains and messes has never been easier. With fewer than 5 pounds, this machine is ideal for virtually everyone, making it insanely portable and comfortable for virtually every user.

Finally, when you purchase a Bissell product, you’ll be helping support the Bissell Pet Foundation, designed to help save homeless pets. 

Hoover Powerdash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner with Antimicrobial Pet Brushes

If you’re looking for an affordable product that tackles pet messes effortlessly, you need to consider the Hoover Powerdash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner.

Designed to tackle everyday stains and pet messes while delivering twice the cleaning power of traditional lightweight cleaners, this is a powerful product for high traffic areas.

The antimicrobial pet brushes help remove more stains and debris while offering antimicrobial protection.

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Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner...
74,150 Reviews
Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner...
  • EASY TO USE: Lightweight &...
  • POWERFUL CLEANING: Perfect for...
  • FASTER DRYING: HeatForce...
  • PERFECT FOR PETS: Tackle pet...
  • WHAT'S INCLUDED: Trial size...

This carpet cleaner was designed with their users in mind, bringing a lightweight product without a steep price tag. This carpet cleaner has antimicrobial pet brushes designed to help you clear out more mess and debris while bringing antimicrobial protection to your floors.

It has a powerful cleaning dynamic without being bulky or heavy. You’ll find the dual tank system makes tackling messes easier; fill, empty, and rinse when you’re done. The removable nozzle helps you rinse and remove tough dirt and grime.

The HeatForce technology helps dry your carpets faster, so you can move on with your day. While this carpet cleaner may only be a fraction of other commercial products’ prices, it performs consistently and accurately every time.

carpet cleaner for pets

How to Get Rid of Pet Stains in Carpet

Although we’d all love to grab our carpet cleaner to clear out messes, there are times when it’s simply not possible to use the vacuum (like when you’re running out the door, for example).

Depending on the mess, you may be able to clean the mess up without needing your carpet cleaner right away.

It’s always a good idea to thoroughly clean the carpets when you have a chance, to keep your carpet in ideal shape, and to limit any bacterial growth or odor.

Urine Pet Stains

Even the best-trained dogs have occasional accidents, whether your business meeting went longer than expected or potty training isn’t going as smoothly as you intended.

If you’re faced with an accident, here’s what you need to know about cleaning it up.

Urine (or pee) can set into carpet fibers the longer it sits on the carpet, making timely clean-up important. Whenever possible, always try to remove the mess as soon as it happens.

To do this, you can use a paper towel or a rag to absorb as much as you can. Make sure you step on the spot to reach the fibers down at the base, too – as smells can quickly form from urine.

Continue replacing the paper towels and stepping on the mess until the towel comes up dry. 

If you’re able, now is the ideal time to pull out your carpet cleaner. A fresh mess is easier to tackle than one that’s had the ability to sit, rest, or dry throughout the day.

If that’s not possible, mix two cups of vinegar, two cups of warm water, and four tablespoons of baking soda in a spray bottle. Saturate the area and let it sit for approximately ten minutes.

Use a clean towel to blot the mess up in the same fashion as before. You can apply the baking soda directly to the spot for large accidents and add a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar directly to the area.

After letting the mixture sit for approximately five minutes, blot the liquid with a clean cloth, repeating until nothing comes up. 

Vomit Pet Stains

The problem with pet vomit isn’t just the issue of smell; it’s also an issue of the acid in your pet’s stomach. The acid can quickly stain the carpet, so prompt attention is the easiest way to limit the carpet fibers’ damage.

To get started, always remove large chunks or messes with a scraper, dustpan, or paper towels. Once all visible vomit has been cleared, you can use your carpet cleaner (if one is available) or start manually cleaning the carpeted area. 

To make your own Carpet Cleaner for Pets.

  1. Mix two cups of warm water, half a cup of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap, and one tablespoon of salt.
  2. Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and apply it to the soiled area.
  3. Lightly blot the area and repeat the process until the carpet has been cleaned.
  4. Finish the process by using a clean, dry cloth to remove the carpet’s excess cleaning solution. 

Feces Pet Stains

Let’s face it; although we love our pets, there are times when accidents can cause tough stains that we don’t want to lift. They can quickly become unsightly, especially if they’re in a high-traffic area.

But it’s important to remember that stains from fecal matter aren’t just terrible to look at, it can also pose health problems long-term. The best rule to follow is prompt removal is always going to be a better result.

The less time a stain has to sit on the carpet, the better your cleaning result will be. 

Prep Before You Reach For The Carpet Cleaner for Pets

Always try to remove as much waste as possible as quickly as possible. By removing the mess promptly, you’ll limit the contact the poop has with your carpet.

Avoid rubbing the carpet as this can embed the feces into the fibers of the carpet. After the initial mess has been cleaned, use a damp paper towel or moist baby wipe to gently pick any visible pieces of poop from the carpet.

Use an upward motion to remove anything from the carpet, pulling away from the fiber instead of rubbing it deeper. 

If you have a carpet cleaner for pets, use it to remove the remaining traces of fecal matter from the carpeted area. Make sure to empty and rinse your machine after use. Do not let it sit in your machine.

carpet cleaner for pets

You Don't Have a Carpet Cleaner for Pets: Here's a Solution.

Should you not have access to a carpet cleaner for pets, you can make your own cleaning solution by mixing two cups of cool water, one tablespoon of vinegar, and one tablespoon of dish soap. Pour or spray the mixture on the stained area, and blot at the stain using a clean cloth.

Continue until the liquid is completely absorbed. Repeat the process until the stain has completely lifted. Spray or pour a small amount of cold water on the area and use a new, clean cloth to remove the carpet’s water.

Once the carpet has dried, sprinkle baking soda over the area and let it sit for 10 minutes. Vacuum the area thoroughly. 

Remember: You don’t want to saturate the carpet; you want to wet the area. Only add small amounts of cleaning solution at a time.

Likewise, it’s important to only blot at the stain and not wipe the area. Wiping the area can embed the poop into the fibers making them more difficult to remove. 

Dealing With All Pet Stains With a Carpet Cleaner for Pets

It’s important to remember that the faster you address stains or messes on your carpet, the better your success rate will completely remove the stain. The longer urine, feces, or vomit has to sit on the carpet, the more likely it will stain or bleach the fibers in your carpet.

Although it is possible to remove stains, having them sit for long periods of time will make it problematic and difficult. A high-quality carpet cleaner will make pet stains easier to handle, especially if you notice the mess right away. 

Always make sure to follow your carpet cleaner for pets' directions when using the product. Some carpet cleaners will use specific cleaners, some will offer pre-treatment (for tough, stubborn stains), and some will only use hot water, steam, and brushes to remove the mess.

Using other products before using your carpet cleaner can potentially cause a chemical reaction to occur. Never use bleach on the carpeted area (even if the carpet is white). Bleaching the area may cause a problem with the fibers, making them brittle or weakened.

Final Thoughts

If your dog is starting to soil around the house when that is not their usual behavior, contact your vet. Many health issues may present as an inability to hold urine or bowel movements.

Your vet may require a stool or urine sample to help them diagnose any health issues. Never use punishment methods like rubbing your dog’s nose in a mess or hitting an animal when they have accidents. 

READ NEXT: How to Get Pet Stains Out of the Carpet and Furniture

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Carpet Cleaner for Pets

Katherine is certified in Domestic Animal Sciences and Animal Grooming with primary focus on dogs. She has had her pet canine, Anastasia, for two years now, who is also her ESA service dog. Katherine has written multiple articles about pets and their grooming, and has knowledge on multiple specialty pet grooming products for dogs.