From drippy ice cream cones in the summer to piping hot drinks all winter long, there’s a lot of potential for an accident to occur in your vehicle. Take the time to freshen it up with our top picks for the best car carpet cleaner. This buying guide will help you pick out the best solution to bring your car’s interior back to like-new status.
Best OverallSpot Shot Professional Carpet Stain Remover
Check Latest PriceSummaryFor the toughest stains in carpet and upholstery, choose Spot Shot’s Professional formula, which requires zero scrubbing and leaves your car smelling fresh.
ProsBlue Coral Upholstery Cleaner
Check Latest PriceSummaryIf you’re looking for a cheap solution to nasty carpet stains, Blue Coral is a name you should know. The stain remover plus deodorizer makes quick work of tough stains.
ProsArmor All Oxi Magic Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
Check Latest PriceSummaryPairing the best of Armor All and Oxi Clean, this Magic Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner works deep to loosen tough stains within your vehicle, without the fear of bleaching.
ProsIf you’re looking for true foaming action, you’ll definitely want to seek out an aerosolized carpet cleaner. They typically come in anywhere from 16- to 25-ounce cans with a replaceable cap and small nozzle tip. Most require a little shake before use but will easily clean most four-door sedans with moderate levels of dirt. If you find yourself tackling a large, dirty vehicle, seek out multi-packs of this type to save your trigger finger from excess fatigue—and a few bucks as well.
Car carpet cleaners are typically either packaged as an aerosol or spray bottle. Spray bottles don’t necessarily have the foaming power aerosol cans command. However, you can just as easily soak a trouble spot with a spray bottle as you would with an aerosol can. Some spray bottles may have adjustable nozzles, which will allow you to target hard-to-reach areas with greater ease.
Most car carpet cleaners are marketed to not only clean but deodorize as well. It’s best to purchase a carpet cleaner that includes this feature because most stains will emit an odor, even if they’re still relatively fresh. Plus, the cleaner will likely leave behind a fresh-smelling scent that will help you forget the stain ever happened.
Spot Shot has been cleaning carpets since the 1980s. Its Spot Shot Pet Instant Carpet Stain Remover should be on your grocery list—and your shelf—if your family includes a furry friend or two. Spot Shot is based out of Budd Lake, N.J.
Based out of California, the crew at Chemical Guys has been innovating car care products for quite some time. Check out their Lightning Fast Stain Extractor if you’re looking to spiff up your ride.
Supplying auto parts stores across the nation, Armor All is a household name when it comes to taking care of your vehicle. Its 60 years of experience shows in every product, including the aerosol Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner bound to make a difference in your car.
Located in California, Meguiar’s headquarters is where all the magic happens. At least, that is, when it comes to car care. We suggest its Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner, packaged in a 19-ounce aerosol can. Because when you’ve been at it for over 100 years like Meguiar’s has, chances are you’ve got a solid formula for tackling even the toughest stains.
Mother’s has quite a few years under its belt when it comes to the car care industry. We recommend its—you guessed it—Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner. Just look for the California red-hot-colored bottle.
Invest in a car carpet cleaner that is going to make as much of a difference on a microbial level as it will visually. You don’t necessarily need to look for bleach as an ingredient as there are equally-powerful alternatives. Just be aware that a car interior is a closed environment that can easily become a breeding ground for all kinds of nasty germs. Err on the side of caution—and deep cleaning.
You may not smell it, but your car stinks. At least, that stain (or those stains) can cause an odor, even if left overnight. Do yourself and your nose a favor by picking out a carpet cleaner that doubles as an odor eliminator. You don’t necessarily have to buy a scented cleaner either. The point here is to remove any musty, moldy, mildew-smelling bacteria that could potentially cause health problems if left alone.
Whether you’re sensitive to scents or not, using a non-toxic cleaner in your vehicle widens that margin of error when it comes to discoloring or damaging your car’s interior materials. You don’t necessarily have to purchase organic or natural cleaners. The idea is to choose safer (for you and your car) chemicals to get the job done, rather than turning to powerful and potentially harmful alternatives.
The easiest part of cleaning your vehicle’s carpet is spraying on the cleaner itself. The best car carpet cleaners will do most of the grunt work for you, soaking down into the carpet fibers to penetrate deep into set-in stains, with little or no agitation required. The best cleaners will make the process as simple as spray, soak, vacuum, and air out. A fast-acting formula will speed up the process as well.
Purchase a carpet cleaner that isn’t going to do more damage than good. The formula should be safe to use on both dark- and light-colored carpets without the fear of bleaching or dyeing. If you do end up getting some spray on leather seats, plastic trim pieces, rubber moldings, or other components (as is likely to happen), you don’t want to worry about replacing those pieces as well.
Spot Shot’s Professional Carpet Stain Remover won our top pick for the best car carpet cleaner. Use this product once, and you’ll see why it’s the go-to solution for even the toughest stains. The extra-strength formula specifically designed for professional cleaning companies can work wonders on any stains discoloring your vehicle’s interior.
One of the best features of the Spot Shot Professional Carpet Stain Remover is that it comes packaged in a 32-ounce spray bottle. That’s plenty of cleaning product for even the biggest dirty jobs. The handy spray nozzle directs the solution exactly where you want it. An ergonomic frame allows for easy gripping and maneuvering into the tightest of spots, where stains like to hide best. Spot Shot can be sprayed on almost any surface, from carpets and cloth seats to headliners and cloth door panels. Best of all, you don’t need to scrub the area, because Spot Shot not only removes the stain, it deodorizes your carpets as well.
One drawback of this product is that you’ll have to use a steam cleaner, in addition, to get out the worst stains. The mix of hot water and Spot Shot will likely do the trick. Spot Shot should also not be sprayed on a surface and then left to dry, as mold may grow beneath the surface if left unattended. All the same, Spot Shot’s Professional Carpet Stain Remover can be purchased and used by anyone who wants a cleaner, fresher-smelling vehicle.
It’s hard to beat the value Blue Coral offers in its handy Upholstery Cleaner, which features a removable cap that functions as a carpet brush as well. The spray-can design allows for the directed application of the cleaning solution. Plus, once you’re finished, you can easily replace the cap and store for the next time something spills in your car.
Blue Coral formulates its carpet cleaner to not only remove stains but to deodorize as well. Simply direct the spray can nozzle towards the dirty area, keeping the can about six inches away from the affected surface. The removable cap works well as an agitator for stubborn stains. Just make sure to clean it before you replace it and store the cleaner. You can even use this product in your home as well. Take the Blue Coral Upholstery Cleaner with you to the car wash as well to remove stubborn mud and debris from your floor mats.
Carpets with longer fibers won’t be as easy to clean with the small-bristled brush included atop this product. The short bristles likely won’t reach into deeper pockets between seats and around seat rails. However, the Blue Coral Upholstery Cleaner is easy for almost any car owner to use, both in their vehicle and the home.
A highly-capable formula that bonds the best of two names well-known in the cleaning industry, Armor All’s Oxi Magic Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner could be the stain-fighting solution you need to finally get your carpets and cloth seats looking new again. A powerful alternative to bleach-based solutions, Armor All’s Oxi Magic cleaner blends non-toxic cleaning agents that penetrate deep into carpet fibers.
We chose Armor All’s Oxi Magic Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner for our list for the product’s ability to clean deep while sanitizing and deodorizing. It’s important to not only remove the stain but to also pull out any contaminants that may cause further damage. With the oxygenated formula of Oxi Magic, this is possible. This product also stores very well. The spray nozzle is equipped with a sealable cover that prevents spillage as long as the product is upright. A slim neck and ergonomic built-in handle make application as easy as pulling the trigger.
The biggest drawback to this product lies in the formula itself. While the ingredients won’t necessarily discolor interior surfaces as regular bleach would, it’s not a good idea to spray the product on a surface and then leave it to dry. The oxygenated formula could dry out leather surfaces it may come into contact with or discolor particularly sensitive areas over time. Armor All’s Oxi Magic Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner is, however, a worthy solution for any car owner looking to spiff up their ride.
The Chemical Guys Lightning Fast Carpet and Upholstery Stain Extractor is a great option because you can spray it on, wipe it off, brush it in, vacuum it out, or even use it with an extractor machine. The formula lifts dirt and grease caused by beverages, pets, and other factors and then removes it. This spot and stain remover will not discolor or fade the carpet, and it's dilutable.
In addition to carpets, you can use this product on upholstery, fabric, furniture, etc. It's easy to use and designed to prevent additional staining. The product is also an odor eliminator and cleans and deodorizes simultaneously. All you have to do is spray it on the carpet, agitate the area, then wipe it clean. You don't need to scrub or brush very hard to remove set-in stains and grime.
There are not many complaints about this product. However, the spray head/trigger may prematurely fail, and there may be some better alternatives for deep stains.
The Turtle Wax Power Out! Carpet and Mats Cleaner and Odor Eliminator is a heavy-duty formula designed to remove stench caused by cigarettes, pets, mildew, and more. The product has a micro scrub brush that thoroughly cleans carpet fibers and rubber mat crevices. It's also removable for use in small spaces.
We like this formula because it both cleans and deodorizes. After use, it leaves behind a soil-repelling silicone shield that minimizes future stains. To use it, simply rub the foam onto the carpet, scrub it, and wipe the area with a clean cloth. If you have a stubborn stain, it may take several applications to remove it. Users report that the fragrance is pleasing and works well overall.
One downside is that it doesn't work as well on deep stains as it does on lighter ones. Also, the cap comes off rather easily, which can be a bit of a hassle.
A: Direct the product towards concentrated stains and soak the area for 3-5 seconds. You may need to vacuum or steam clean the area and then reapply the carpet cleaner again to remove stubborn stains that won’t come out the first time. If you chose a foaming carpet cleaner, covering the area in question with foam should be plenty in terms of application.
A: If you’re not worried about the integrity of your vehicle’s interior, yes. However, bleach is likely to discolor any surface it comes into contact with. There are other alternatives to bleach that will remove bacteria just as effectively. Enzymes are just one example. If you’re concerned about specific spills, speak with your local dealership and request product suggestions.
A: Carpet stain removers meant for household use are likely to work on your vehicle’s interior, but we suggest testing a carpet spot in an inconspicuous area before going all-out. While hot, soapy water will remove surface discoloration, it may not penetrate deep enough to remove stuck-on stains.
A: Yes, you can. We recommend using the products before and after the use of your boat to keep your materials clean. It’s crucial to remove as much moisture from a boat before storage as is possible since the enclosed space will foster bacteria and mold during the storage period.
A: It’s always a good idea to test out a cleaner before use. Speaking with your local dealership may just end up with them trying to sell you their brand of cleaner, but in that conversation, you can ask them what ingredients the cleaner has. If you can find something with a similar formulation, you should be safe to use it on your vehicle.
A: This one is a bit tricky since it depends on the material, age, and color of your headliner. The important thing to remember with headliners is that you should not soak them in any liquid, no matter how dirty they may be. Spray your cleaner directly onto a rag and then apply it to the headliner surface. Use air or another method to completely dry the headliner afterward.
A: We can’t speak for every stain out there, but the carpet cleaner meant for vehicles could be useful on your toddler’s car seat. However, it’s probably a good idea to check what chemicals are in the cleaner, as they could react negatively against your child’s skin.
A: Yes, most of the products meant for cleaning car carpets can handle pet stains and odors. The key to removing these types of stains is quick application. As soon as the stain occurs, have your car carpet cleaning product ready. And while carpet cleaners for your vehicle might deodorize the car, full removal of pet smells usually requires an ozone machine, similar to what’s used to remove smoke and other unpleasant odors.
A: Interior cleaners, depending on what they’re geared towards, may not work the best on carpet stains. These cleaners are typically meant for surface gunk that accumulates due to day-to-day use. Many are multi-surface, so they won’t necessarily scrub as deep as could be necessary to remove stubborn stains. Even interior foam cleaners may not have the strength to pull out carpet stains.
We chose the Spot Shot Professional Carpet Stain Remover as our top pick because of the powerful cleaning formula and oversized bottle.
Our top value pick comes from Blue Coral. Its Upholstery Cleaner fits most budgets and still gets the job done right.
