10 Best Rug Cleaner For Area Rugs 2025 in the United States

The BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner is a solid choice for anyone looking to tackle tough stains from area rugs and upholstery. One of its biggest strengths is the powerful suction, which effectively removes pet spots and odors, making it ideal for pet owners. With a 48 oz. tank capacity, you can clean larger areas without frequent refills, which adds to its convenience. Its portable design allows for easy maneuverability across different surfaces, whether in the home or in the car.

In terms of ease of use, this handheld cleaner scores high. It comes with specialized attachments like the HydroRinse Self-Cleaning Tool and a Tough Stain Tool that enhance its versatility. The included Spot & Stain formula with Febreze Freshness further helps in tackling odors and tough stains effortlessly.

There are some considerations to keep in mind. While the corded power source provides continuous cleaning without worrying about battery life, it does limit mobility compared to cordless options. The machine itself weighs around 9.7 pounds, which could be a bit heavy for some users during extended cleaning sessions. Additionally, while it does a good job on stains, it may not be as effective on larger scale cleaning tasks or heavily soiled carpets compared to larger, more powerful machines.

The BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Cleaner is particularly effective for spot cleaning and is user-friendly, making it a great fit for pet owners or anyone needing a portable solution for minor spills and stains. Just remember that for bigger cleaning jobs, you might need a more robust option.

The Shark StainStriker is a lightweight and portable spot cleaner designed to tackle stains and odors on area rugs, carpets, upholstery, and pet messes. Weighing under 9 pounds and battery powered, it is easy to carry around for quick cleanups. Its powerful suction combined with Shark’s dual-activated cleaning solution promises strong stain removal, including tough spots like pet urine and smoke odors. The cleaner holds about 2 liters of solution, which is a decent capacity for multiple small jobs without frequent refills. It comes with several attachments such as reversible bristle tools and a pet mess extractor, making it versatile for different surfaces and stain types.

Since it is a portable spot cleaner rather than a full-sized carpet cleaner, it is best suited for targeted stain removal rather than deep cleaning large area rugs. Drying time is typical for this kind of machine, but not specifically fast-drying, so some waiting is needed after use. The unit is user-friendly with no assembly required and easy hand-wash care for brushes. It scores high in stain removal and convenience, but those looking for a solution to clean large rugs thoroughly might find it less suitable compared to larger carpet cleaners. This makes it a solid choice for pet owners and anyone needing quick, effective spot cleaning on area rugs and upholstery.

The Hoover Powerscrub XL Pet Carpet Cleaner is designed specifically for deep cleaning carpets and area rugs, making it a strong choice for pet owners facing stubborn stains and embedded dirt. Its standout feature is the five SpinScrub brushes, which effectively scrub at multiple angles, ensuring that even the toughest stains are lifted. The inclusion of HeatForce technology helps accelerate drying time, allowing you to walk on your rugs sooner, which is a great advantage for busy households.

Another strength is its TruMAX tank technology that allows for a larger dirty water capacity of 0.8 gallons, meaning you can clean more before needing to empty it. Additionally, the versatile tools included, such as the pet tool and upholstery tool, make it easy to tackle various surfaces beyond just carpets, enhancing its usability.

However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. Weighing in at 18.7 pounds, it may not be the most portable option for those who need to carry it up and down stairs. While the performance is promising, some users might find the cleaner somewhat cumbersome for smaller spaces due to its upright design. Also, some may feel that the 0.8-gallon tank could still require frequent emptying for larger cleaning jobs.