The best carpet cleaners for homes with pets 2024

Pet-friendly carpet cleaners that will leave your home looking and smelling fresh.

Carpet cleaner for pets

by Ellen Kinsey |
Updated on

Below, are our pick of the best carpet cleaners for households with pets. Carpets are soft to walk on and make our homes cosier; however, pets and carpets are not always the most compatible. When furry friends walk or play on the carpet, the fabric will rapidly trap dirt, dust, and bacteria.

Deep cleaning the carpets may seem like a daunting task, especially if you have an entirely carpeted home, but you will be surprised how quickly you can get the job done with the right carpet cleaner. Whether you have entirely carpeted floors or just a few segments, they'll help eliminate pet odour and stains.

Best carpet cleaners for pet homes at a glance:

Best all-around carpet cleaner: BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro – View on Amazon UK
Editor's pick: Vax ECR2V1P Dual Power Pet Advance Carpet Cleaner – View on Argos
Best compact cleaner: VAX Compact Power CWCPV011 Upright Carpet Cleaner – View on Argos

Pet owners will know that accidents are bound to happen, and sometimes, a standard carpet spray or 'shake and vac' solution sometimes doesn't cut it when it comes to wee or mud stains. If you have a pet that is guilty of messing up your beloved carpets, carpet cleaners are a great investment as their powerful scrubbing brushes mix with amazing suction.

The cleaner's brushes agitate, scrub and loosen the dirt and/or stain and then the powerful vacuum suction lifts it away - making easy work of tasks that usually require a lot of effort. Even if you only use your carpet cleaner once a month, they're especially good at removing animal hair and ingrained dirt on a wider scale, which means you'll have faith knowing your carpets have had a proper clean from top to bottom.

The best carpet cleaners for homes with pets

Best all-around carpet cleaner

BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet ProBISSELL/Amazon UK

One of the top-rated carpet cleaners on the market is the BISSELL Pro Heat 2x Revolution Pet Pro, an update to the Pro Heat 2X revolution carpet cleaner. The carpet cleaner is made with pets in mind; it comes with two rotating brush rolls with 12 rows of dirt-lifting power brushes made to lift away any dirt build-up. The CleanShot Pre-treater will combat any tough spots, and the three-metre cleaning hose provides you with good flexibility to manoeuvre around the room. When using the Express Clean Mode, your carpets will be completely dry in under 30 minutes.

Customer review: "Used numerous times now and absolutely love it! I even go over my cream carpets in rooms that hardly get used and absolutely amazed at how much dirt comes out of them."

Pros

  • Quick drying
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Some reviews say it is very loud
Weight8.62 kg
Clean Tank Capacity3.7 L
Dimensions38 x 32 x 110 cm
Power800 W
ToolsTough Stain Tool<br>2-in-1 Pet Upholstery Tool<br>3-in-1 Stair Tool<br>Upholstery hose<br>Nozzle cleaning tool

Editor's pick

Vax ECR2V1P Dual Power Pet Advance Carpet CleanerVax/Argos

The Vax ECR2V1P Dual Power Pet Advance Carpet Cleaner is designed with Twin Tank Technology that separates clean water from dirty water and is convenient to fill and empty out. It uses dual rotating brush bars to lift tough, deep-down dirt from your carpets and a pre-treatment wand and solution to tackle stubborn stains.

Customer review: "I don't often leave reviews. But I felt this needed a 5* review. Really simple to put together. Really simple to work. Pulls out so much dirt. I knew our carpet needed a clean due to our puppy having a couple of accidents. I was shocked how much dirt it actually got out!"

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Not as powerful as others on the market
  • Took a long time to dry
Weight6.4kg
Clean / Dirty Tank Capacity2.7 / 1.5 L
Dimensions48.9 x 40.4 x 38 cm
Power800 W
ToolsWash Tool<br>Pre-treatment wand<br>Accessory Bag<br>1 x 250ml Ultra+ Pet solution<br>1 x 250ml Pre-treatment solution

Best compact cleaner

VAX Compact Power CWCPV011 Upright Carpet CleanerVax/Argos

If you are looking for a compact super-light carpet cleaner, this VAX Compact Power CWCPV011 Upright Carpet Cleaner is ideal for smaller homes. It weighs just 5.7kg, so it's perfect for storing and transporting around the house. The Aquaspin brush combats everyday stains, and grime and the narrow head will help you to get into small spaces. This carpet cleaner is easy to empty and keeps dirty water separate. Though it does not have any additional attachments this carpet cleaner would be a great pick for a smaller home.

Customer review: "I've bought a few carpet cleaners in the past and found them very heavy. As I now suffer from arthritis, heavy equipment is a no-go. I'm so pleased with the lightness and performance of this little machine. Some might find it a nuisance that the tank needs replenishing quite quickly, but I find that is a very small price to pay. I'm over the moon!!!!"

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Quick drying

Cons

  • No attachments
  • Tricky to clean as brush doesn't come out easily
Weight5.7 kg
Clean / Dirty Tank Capacity1.8 / 1.5 L
Dimensions106 x 25 x 33 cm
Power840 W
ToolsUnspecified.

Best for hard surfaces

BISSELL CrossWave Cordless 3-in-1 multi-surface cleanerBISSELL/Amazon UK

Ideal for regular, routine cleaning as well as those messy accidents that happen in an active family home, this BISSELL CrossWave Cordless 3-in-1 multi-surface cleaner vacuums, washes and dries hard floors and area rugs at the same. The easy-empty tank strainer separates and traps hair and dry debris from the dirty water. The two-tank system keeps clean and dirty water separate, ensuring you're always using fresh water and solutions on your floors.

Our review, tried and tested by Commercial Content Editor, Natalie Corner: "The great thing about the 3-in-1 Crosswave is that you can choose between hard floor or carpet/rug at the click of a button on the handle. It's easier to use on hard floors as you can keep track of where you've cleaned and where you haven't. On carpets, it's still good and collects large amounts of pet hair that was missed by a regular vacuum while using the cleaning feature. I'd probably use this way more for my kitchen and bathroom areas, and less so on my carpet but it's great to know it can do both."

Pros

  • Features two tank system
  • Sturdy cleaner option
  • Great for hard floors

Cons

  • Small tank capacity
Weight4.9 kg
Clean / Dirty Tank Capacity828 / 620 ml
DimensionsD35 x H118 x W33 cm
Power1560 W
ToolStorage Tray Charging Station<br>Dual Action Multi-Surface Brush roll<br>Multi-Surface Formula

Best multi-purpose carpet cleaner

VYTRONIX TUB1600 Multifunction 1600W 4 in 1 Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner & Carpet Washer With Blower FunctionVYTRONIX/Amazon UK

This multi-purpose VYTRONIX WSH60 Multi-Function Wet + Dry Vacuum Cleaner + Carpet Cleaner is ideal if you do not want to purchase several tools for your cleaning needs. It contains a powerful bagged hoover that can collect dirt and spills in a breeze. If the carpet cleaning head is attached, you can freshen up your carpet and leave it smelling like new. This model also has a built-in blower function.

Customer review: "Works fine. Easy and not too heavy. Ok for light to medium cleans. But anything heavy you’ll need a steam cleaner."

Pros

  • Easy to pull around
  • Great price
  • Does three things in one

Cons

  • Some attachments are tricky to get off
Weight6 kg
Clean / Dirty Tank Capacity5 L
Dimensions40 x 36.5 x 50 cm
Power1600W
ToolsWet floor head<br>Dry floor head<br>Cloth dust bag<br>2 in 1 Crevice/dusting tool

Best carpet cleaner for larger homes

Vax ECB1SPV1 Platinum Power Max Carpet CleanerVax/John Lewis

The Vax ECB1SPV1 Platinum Power Max Carpet Cleaner claims to remove up to 93 per cent of fungi, allergens and bacteria and will dry within an hour. It is designed with a large tank, so it is perfect for larger homes or frequent use. The hand wash tool and added stretch hose allow you to get into every nook and cranny, and the seven SpinScrub brushes and rotating brush bars work to get rid of any dirt lodged in your carpet.

Customer review: "I bought this around one month ago to see if I could restore the house carpets. Amazing results… stains, grime etc, all came out. Equally as effective on the stairs with the wash tool and the hose is more than long enough. I also used it on fabric car seats to remove old coffee and liquid stains… seats are now like new. Also brilliant results on car mats. The platinum cleaning solution works wonders. Quality and versatile. With a six-year guarantee, will be a household staple now. A great thing to have. Great job Vax."

Pros

  • Large water tank
  • Powerful and effective

Cons

  • Brushes hard to clean
Weight9.6 kg
Clean / Dirty Tank Capacity3.5 / 2.9 L
Dimensions110 x 34 x 41 cm
Power1200 W
Tools2 x 250ml Platinum solution<br>1 x 250ml Pre-treatment solution<br>Pre-treatment hose<br>Upholstery tool<br>Spin scrub brush<br>Hard floor tool

Best carpet cleaner for spot cleaning

Rug Doctor Spot Portable Cylinder Carpet CleanerRug Doctor/Currys

This Rug Doctor Spot Portable Cylinder Carpet Cleaner is suitable for getting rid of spills and stains. However, it is important to note that it isn't designed to clean your entire house unless you have a lot of time on your hands. This appliance is ideal for cleaning up rugs, carpeted stairs, or small carpet segments and can also be used on fabrics such as car seats, mattresses, or sofas.

Customer review: "I ordered this as I have 2 dogs and occasionally they have accidents in the house so wanted to try this to see if it would extract all the mess from the carpet. I wasn't expecting much as I had read mixed reviews of this product but I can't tell you how happy I am with this machine. I have used it to clean up spillages, clean a large 4 seater sofa & even full carpets & it surpassed my expectations massively. It cleans remarkably well & also dries well too. I am so impressed with this machine I wish I'd bought it years ago. It's so light & compact and so easy to use."

Pros

  • Great for smaller spaces
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Won't clean large areas
Weight7.4 kg
Clean / Dirty Tank Capacity1.9 / 1.12 L
Dimensions40 x W 41 x 28 cm
Power100 Air Watts

Most reliable carpet cleaner

Henry Wash HVW 370-2 Cylinder Carpet CleanerHenry/Currys
Price: £199 (was £249)

www.currys.co.uk

Many regard Henry as the ultimate vacuum brand in the cleaning world, and this carpet cleaner lives up to its reputation. If you are looking to refresh your carpets, hard floors, or upholstery, this Henry Wash HVW 370-2 Cylinder Carpet Cleaner quickly and efficiently shifts spills and stains. The Henry Wash has a large clean and dirty tank, so it is suitable for a large home or frequent use; one thing to keep in mind is that it is quite heavy at 12.1 kg. A bonus of this cleaner is that it can even help you to unblock the sink.

Customer review: "Very happy!! Dries (sic) the carpets in no time I am very happy indeed!! I thought Henry would let me down but nope he wasn't so happy with the results. I have done my carpet twice due to young baby crawling and I'm amazed brilliant product and easy to put together very pleased!!"

Pros

  • Sturdy and long-lasting
  • Can use on carpet and hard floors

Cons

  • Some reviewers say that it is noisy
Weight15.3 kg
Clean / Dirty Tank Capacity5 / 9 L
Dimensions37 x 36 x 51 cm
Power1600 W
ToolsDual Scrub Floor Tool<br>Fishtail Tool<br>Upholstery Tool<br>NuChem 4 Carpet Washing Solution

How we chose the best carpet cleaners for homes with pets

All of these carpet cleaners have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered the effectiveness and value for money in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching carpet cleaners to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.

And, with pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by us and our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval.

FAQs

How often should you clean your carpets?

It is advised that you deep clean your carpet at least once a year. However, different environmental factors will change this. For example, every three to six months would be more suitable if you have a large household, several pets, or smoke indoors.

Cleaning your carpets regularly will ensure that any bacteria, dust, pet hair or allergens are eradicated, making it more comfortable for those with asthma or allergies. It also ensures that your home smells fresh and your carpets will stay in good condition for longer.

How to stop pets from messing on carpets:

To stop your beloved furry friend from messing on your carpet, it depends on whether you have a dog or a cat. For dogs, it’s important to establish a routine when it comes to toilet training early on and let them outside for regular relief. To stop cats from spraying on your carpets and furniture, you’ll want to make sure they’ve got easy access to a designated toilet area and that their litter box is regularly cleaned to entice them to use it. Whatever type of pet you have, consistency, positive reinforcement and appropriate deterrents are key for effectively preventing them from messing on your carpets.

Ellen Kinsey is a Senior Health & Wellness Product Writer for Take A Break, specialising in natural health. She lives and breathes all things food, travel and wellness.

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