What's the Best Carpet Cleaner for Pets?
Having owned various pets over much of my life, I guess you could say they have taught me quite a bit about the care, love and attention. One thing I know they need quite a bit of is cleaning up after. Dogs and cats shed and have accidents, especially when they are young. This is why we are going to talk about the best carpet cleaner for pets.
What is a Carpet Cleaner?
Well, a carpet cleaner is just what it sounds like – any solution that removes stains, dirt and allergens from a carpet. These can be solutions, machines, or hired people with solutions and machines who do this job.
What messes might we as pet caregivers have to clean up? Pets have accidents and days when they are not at their best. Urine, feces, vomit, hairballs and even blood can become a mess that requires us to clean an area our pooches have been in.
Depending on the mess, different cleaners should be used. For instance, blood is not as easy to clean as vomit, but the smell of urine is harder to get rid of than vomit.
That is why it is important to choose the right cleaner for all sources. Just make sure you remove any solid material before attempting to clean the remaining liquid.
Enzymatic Cleaners
These are the cleaners that should be every pet owner’s best friend. They attack stains and odors at a cellular level, as they are specifically designed to treat biological waste.
In addition, pick a cleaner that also removes odors. Dogs are creatures of habit and will pee over the same spot if it exudes the scent of their pee. If a cleaner does not eliminate odors, you can use a separate odor eliminator.
Here are some of our favorite products for tackling tough stains and odors on carpets.
1. Shout Pets Enzymatic Stain and Odor Remover
This cleaner penetrates deep into the carpet and removes any organic waste that can cause stains or odors.
It will remove any lingering odors that will cause your pup to pee over the same spot again and again. This professional-grade stain-removing formula will attack stains on all surfaces like carpet, upholstery and nylon. This cleaner is sold on Fetch for Pets for $12.
2. Simple Solution Pet Stain and Odor Remover
This stain and odor remover from Simple Solution is designed to eliminate tough stains from urine, poop and vomit. With a pro-bacteria enzyme formula, it will prevent repeat markings and works on most surfaces, from carpet and upholstery, to fabric and clothing.
It is safe to use around pets and children and costs $16.99 on Petco.
3. Simple Green Bio Dog Active Stain and Odor Remover
This stain remover by Simple Green will remove all stains and cut any pee odor out, without the use of overpowering fragrances. Safe to use around pets, the powerful enzymes eliminate the odor at the source as opposed to simply covering it up with other fragrances.
This cleaner can be used on carpets, rugs, bedding and fabric, eliminating any tough stains from pee, poop, puke, or blood. This costs $13.98 at Walmart.
4. Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Pro Strength Stain and Odor Eliminator
Created by famed pet care specialists, Rocco & Roxie, comes this professional strength enzymatic cleaner that guarantees to eliminate stain and odor. This cleaner can be used on bedding, crates, litter boxes, carpets and all upholstery.
In addition, this cleaner has a seal of approval from the Carpet and Rug Institute, guaranteeing that it will not damage your carpet in any way.
It’s quite affordable too, sitting at $19.97 USD.
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Vacuums
In addition to stains, you are going to want to clean your carpets with a vacuum. Pets shed, and some lose hair more than others.
Hoover has one of the best vacuums in my opinion, but Bissel is not to be left out. These two companies offer both upright and handheld options, making cleaning up a breeze for pet owners, but something to consider if your pet is vacuum-anxious.
Now, let's dive into the best vacuums for pets in more detail.
1. Dyson Ball Animal 2
While this vacuum costs $499.99 USD, you are getting your money's worth, as this machine is known to have the strongest suction compared to other vacuums. This is why it is perfect for pet parents. This upright style also comes with a five-year warranty and can be used across all floor surfaces, including carpet, wood and tile. It gets the job done of removing dust and allergens too, no matter how microscopic.
2. BISSELL CrossWave X7 Cordless Pet Pro Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vacuum
The special thing about Bissel vacuums (especially this model) is that not only will they keep your floors sparkling, but with each purchase you help save pets, as proceeds go into their BISSELL Pet Foundation that aims to help homeless pets.
Now, let's get into the vacuum itself. It costs $499.99. This model is known as wet and dry because while you vacuum you can actually clean your floors. This saves you time, as typically you would clean your floors after vacuuming. Now, you can do both tasks at once. It's cordless and also has a TURBO Pet Mode, which is a setting to use for more stuck-on messes. When the cleaning feature is initiated, the vacuum uses a plant-based formula: PET Clean + Natural Formula. So, not only will it keep your floors clean, but it is safe for your pets too.
3. Samsung Jet 70 Pet Stick Cordless Lightweight Vacuum
If you want a more affordable vacuum that is still geared toward pets, then this is your best bet, as it has a price of $299. The Samsung Jet 70 Pet Stick Cordless Lightweight Vacuum has a 40-minute battery life if used uninterrupted. It's perfect for all floor types, including hardwood and tile and has 150 air watts of suction. One of the best things about this vacuum though is that it is lightweight, so you won't work up a sweat moving it from room to room or level to level.
4. Hoover MAXLife Elite Swivel XL Pet Vacuum Cleaner with HEPA Media Filtration
While this is also an affordable option, it is not quite as light as the Samsung alternative. This Hoover vacuum is on sale on Amazon for $145.89. It's an upright model and can be used on all floor types. It's perfect for pets because it comes with tools and accessories specific to pets that targets dirt and hair on furniture.
Homemade Remedies
Speaking of natural and safe, you can make your own homemade remedies too. It might be more time-consuming but less expensive in the long run and definitely better on the planet.
The most often used solutions in homemade remedies are found in commercial solutions as well: baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and detergent. This usually takes some DIY thinking and mixing but the results are magical and something you can be proud of.
Final Thoughts
Commercially-made products come in a variety of options, and you will also need to confirm the safety of whichever cleaner you choose.
If any of the cleaning products used are harmful and have left chemical residue, this can potentially get into the animal’s system and start wreaking havoc.
With dogs, the biggest issue is if they decide to chew something they shouldn’t, such as an empty bottle that held a cleaner. Just remember to always keep your furry friend in mind when you are cleaning up.