Best Carpet Machine Detergents of 2026
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Carpet machine detergents are specially formulated cleaning solutions designed for use with carpet cleaning machines. These detergents are designed to work with the machine's cleaning mechanism and provide a deep and thorough cleaning of carpets and rugs. They are available in a variety of formulations, including those that are designed for specific types of carpets or stains. Many carpet machine detergents are also eco-friendly and safe for use around children and pets. These products are an essential tool for anyone looking to keep their carpets clean and fresh, and they are widely available at most home improvement or cleaning supply stores.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Carpet Machine Detergents
Bissell Pet Urine Eliminator with Oxy and Febreze
The Bissell Professional Pet Urine Eliminator with Oxy and Febreze Carpet Cleaner Shampoo is a 2X concentrated formula that can be used with all upright carpet cleaning machines. This carpet cleaner removes pet stains and odors at the source with the power of oxy and Febreze freshness. It also cleans and protects from future stains with Scotchgard protector. The detergent is biodegradable and does not contain heavy metals, phosphates or dyes. Plus, it is pet and family safe when used as directed, making it a great choice for pet owners.
Amazon Basics Oxy Carpet Cleaner
The Amazon Basics Carpet Cleaner is designed to deeply penetrate and eliminate tough stains and odors from your carpets. Its hydrogen peroxide formula effectively tackles stubborn spills, ensuring your carpets remain clean and fresh. This versatile cleaner works with all popular deep cleaning machines, making it easy for you to maintain your carpets. Plus, it features an EPA Safer Choice-certified formula, so you can feel good about using it around your family and pets while still achieving powerful cleaning results.
OxiClean Large Area Carpet Cleaner
The OxiClean Large Area Carpet Cleaner is suitable for any carpet cleaning machine and offers deep cleaning action that removes dirt and lifts stains. For tougher stains, pre-treat with OxiClean's Carpet & Area Rug Remover Spray. Remember to vacuum thoroughly before use and follow the recommended detergent to water ratio instructions for home owned and rental machines.
Shark CarpetXpert Deep Clean Pro Formula
The Shark CarpetXpert Cleaner is designed to work perfectly with all Shark carpet cleaner models, so you don't have to worry about compatibility when refreshing your carpets. Its special StainStriker Technology mixes two powerful chemicals right in the handheld tool, giving you 20 times more stain-fighting strength to tackle tough messes. If you have pets, this formula is a great choice because it removes odors instantly and for good, including stubborn pet urine and smoke smells. Plus, it's made to clean your entire home, from carpets and area rugs to upholstery and stairs, making it a versatile option for keeping your living spaces fresh and spotless.
Hoover Paws & Claws Carpet Cleaner
Hoover Carpet Cleaner Solution offers a powerful enzymatic blend that effectively tackles stubborn pet stains and odors, helping you maintain a clean and inviting home. By breaking down microscopic organic materials, this cleaner ensures that messes like urine and vomit are easily lifted away, giving you peace of mind. It’s suitable for various surfaces, including carpets, rugs, and upholstery, making it versatile for your cleaning needs. Plus, you can trust that it’s made without harmful chemicals, ensuring safety for your family and pets.
Bissell Multi-Surface Pet Solution with Febreze
Bissell Pet Solution is designed to tackle tough pet stains and odors, making your cleaning routine easier and more effective. It helps remove stubborn messes, so you don’t have to scrub hard to get your floors spotless. The formula also includes Febreze freshness, which means it not only cleans but also leaves your home smelling fresh and inviting. Plus, with every purchase, you support the BISSELL Pet Foundation, helping homeless pets find loving homes. This product is ideal for those who want a thorough clean while contributing to a good cause.
BISSELL Pet Stain & Odor Formula
The BISSELL Pet Stain Formula is designed to tackle tough messes and odors caused by pets. It effectively removes stains from cat urine, vomit, and dirt tracked in from outside, making it a must-have for pet owners. This formula is safe for use on carpets, area rugs, and upholstery, ensuring that your furniture and floors remain protected. Plus, it's crafted with biodegradable detergents and contains no harsh chemicals, making it safe for use around children and pets when used as directed. You can confidently clean your home while also supporting a brand that helps save homeless pets.
Zep High Traffic Carpet Cleaner - ZUHTC128
Zep High Traffic Carpet Cleaner is a powerful carpet cleaning solution designed specifically for high-traffic areas. With its penetrating formula, it effectively lifts food and dirt stains, leaving your carpets looking fresh and new. The enzyme action in this cleaner also eliminates odors, ensuring that your carpets not only look clean but also smell fresh. Whether you have matted, old, or soiled patches, this cleaner can revive them, making them look as good as new. The best part is that it requires no dilution, so you can simply spray and blot to remove deep, set-in stains. With Zep High Traffic Carpet Cleaner, you can effortlessly restore the beauty of your carpets and enjoy a cleaner and fresher living space.
ZEP Carpet Shampoo 128 oz
The ZEP Carpet Shampoo is a powerful cleaning solution designed to help you get your carpets thoroughly clean. It comes in a large 128-ounce bottle, which can be diluted to make up to 25 gallons of cleaning solution, giving you plenty of value and convenience for multiple uses. This product is professional strength, meaning it offers a deeper and more effective clean compared to regular shampoos. Additionally, its low foam formula ensures that you won't have to deal with excessive suds, making the cleaning process smoother and easier. Overall, the ZEP Carpet Shampoo is a reliable choice for maintaining fresh and clean carpets.
Bissell Little Green Formula 20386
The Bissell Little Green is a specially designed carpet cleaner formula that helps you maintain fresh and clean carpets easily. This formula is made to work perfectly with carpet cleaning machines, ensuring deep cleaning that lifts stains and dirt effectively. Using this detergent allows you to refresh your carpets without much hassle, making carpet care more convenient. With Bissell Little Green, you can enjoy a cleaner home environment by tackling messes quickly and efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What detergent can you use in a carpet cleaner?
Carpet cleaners are designed to work best with carpet shampoos, but you can also use laundry detergent as a safe substitute. Using laundry detergent in a carpet cleaner can provide effective results without needing a large amount of it.
2. What can I use in my carpet shampooer for dog urine?
For dog urine stains, it is recommended to use an enzymatic cleaner specifically designed for pet stains. Enzymatic cleaners, like OxiClean Carpet & Area Rug Stain Remover, are effective in breaking down the proteins present in urine, feces, and vomit.
3. Can you use other detergent in Bissell carpet cleaner?
While it is possible to use other cleaning formulas in a Bissell carpet cleaner, it is recommended to use Bissell brand formulas. Bissell formulas are free from dyes, phosphates, and optical brighteners, ensuring optimal cleaning performance when used with Bissell carpet cleaning machines.
4. Can Dawn dish soap be used as a carpet cleaner?
Dawn dish soap can be used as a spot cleaner for carpet stains. Mix 2 tsp. of Dawn dish soap with cold water in a spritzer bottle and spray it on the stain, ensuring it is thoroughly soaked. However, it is important to note that dish soap should not be used for overall carpet cleaning.
5. Why does my carpet still smell like dog pee after shampooing?
If the dog urine stain has penetrated the underlay of the carpet, it may still retain the smell even after shampooing. In such cases, specialized treatments may be necessary to effectively remove the wet dog smell after carpet cleaning.
6. Is Dawn dish soap safe for carpets?
While Dawn dish soap can be effective in removing dirt and stains from carpets, it is not recommended for general carpet cleaning. The soap may seep into the carpet fibers and can leave residue. It is best to use products specifically designed for carpet cleaning.
During our carpet machine detergent research, we found 24 carpet machine detergent products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 801,150 customer reviews through our big data system to write the carpet machine detergents list. We found that most customers choose carpet machine detergents with an average price of $18.81.
The carpet machine detergents are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of carpet machine detergents, including Bissell, OxiClean, Shark, Hoover, Zep. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Bonnie Salem is a stay-at-home mother with two-year-old twins and has spent almost half of her life surrounded by baby products. As a mother and a professional copywriter, she has an insightful and unique eye for researching products suitable for infants. Bonnie Salem is an expert in health and nutrition who lives with her family in New Jersey. She has over 15 years of working experience in an institute of medicine after graduating from the University of Toronto. She is highly interested in personal health and wellness.
Carpet Machine Detergents Comparison Table
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| Brand | Bissell | Amazon Basics | OxiClean | Shark | Hoover | Bissell | Bissell | Zep | Zep | Bissell |
| Material Feature | Biodegradable Warning | Safer Choice Certified | Spray | Scented | Stain Remover | Biodegradable | Biodegradable Warning | Natural | Scented | - |
| Item Form | Liquid | Liquid | Liquid | Liquid | Liquid | Liquid | Liquid | Liquid | Liquid | - |
| Scent | Febreze | Fresh | Unscented | Citrus | Tropical Breeze | NO | Fresh | Unscented | Fresh | - |
| Specific Uses For Product | Carpet | Carpet, Upholstery | Carpet, Rug | Carpet | Upholstery, Carpet | Carpet | Upholstery, Carpet | Carpet Cleaning | Carpet | - |
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