Regular cleaning of your car carpet and other surfaces is essential to keep it looking neat and fresh.
However, you won’t get too far with ordinary cleaning solutions, especially if you want to retain the fabric quality and appearance. While vacuuming is great, it might not be enough to guarantee the longevity of your carpet.
What you really need is a deeper cleaning solution. And there’s no better candidate for this purpose than a carpet cleaner.
These cleaners provide an inexpensive way to preserve your vehicle’s showroom and keep it smelling fresh. They do not only clean the surface but also go deeper to remove those stubborn stains and dirt lurking inside your carpet and upholstery.
In this article, we are going to help you choose the best car carpet cleaner to make your carpet shine and last as long as possible. All the products we’ve reviewed here are highly used by auto detailers as well as normal car owners.
How We Chose the Best Car Carpet Cleaner?
We are always on the lookout for the best auto cleaning solutions in the market. And the reason we do this is to provide you with comprehensive reviews that will save you time and money.
During the selection of the best car carpet cleaners, we researched the top products in the market, and in the end, eight products made it to our exclusive list. This comprises of the best products from leading brands such as Chemical Guy, Spot Shot, Armor All, Mother’s, and Meguiar.
In arriving at this list, we did not only focus on research and expert recommendations but also carried out several tests and interviews. We got feedback from various categories of users, including regular car owners and professional detailers.
We also looked up existing reviews left by customers on the products.
The next section that follows is the result of our effort. We intend to continue updating the list as we explore new and better solutions. But for now, these are the best carpet cleaners available in the market.
8 Best Car Carpet Cleaner Reviews in 2022
The market is filled with numerous carpet cleaners; however, there is only a handful that really produces the desired result. But not to worry, we’ve done all the hard work and come up with a list of the top eight products out there.
Without wasting any more time, let’s get into it.
1. Chemical Guys CWS 103 Overall Best in 2022
To kick off our list, it is a product from one of the biggest companies in the world of auto cleaning solutions – the Chemical Guys Fabric Citrus Carpet Cleaner.
When it comes to quality and performance, you already know what to expect from a brand like Chemical Guys. This is why it’s one of the most popular options in the market.
As the name suggests, this is a perfect cleaner for removing stains and filth from your carpet and other fabric surfaces.
Why Choose Chemical Guys CWS 103?
What We Liked
What We Didn’t Like
Our Verdict: Overall, the CWS 103 is a powerful carpet cleaner that promises to give your car a new look. For its price, you won’t find a better deal.
2. Carfidant Ultimate Car Interior Cleaner
The Carfidant Ultimate Car Interior Cleaner is another powerful option you can consider for effective stain removal from your car fabrics. Unlike many cheaper cleaners, it doesn’t leave any residue and works well on carpet as well as other fabric surfaces.
Why Choose the Ultimate Car Interior Cleaner?
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict: Overall, we consider the Carfidant Ultimate to be the best all round auto cleaner. So if you need something that works well not only for your carpet but other interior and exterior areas, then you won’t go wrong with this one.
3. MEGUIAR’S G191419 Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
When it has to do with car care, you can bet Meguiar will always come up. And this is simply because they make some of the best products. The Meguiar G191419 is a professional strength formula specifically designed for effective stain removal from carpets and upholsteries and to eliminate bad odor.
Why Choose the Meguiar G191419?
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict: Overall, this is an effective cleaner that makes it super easy and fast to remove small stains. Although it costs a little higher than many similar products, it is well worth the extra expenses.
4. Armor All Oxi-Magic Carpet and Fabric Spray Cleaner
To deal with tougher stains like coffee, ink, and mud, you need a more effective carpet fabric cleaner. One of the best options you will find on the counter is the Armor All Oxi-Magic Carpet and Fabric Cleaner. This product offers a smooth cleaning action that removes even the worst stains to get your fabric looking new again.
Why Choose Oxi-Magic?
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict: Overall, the Oxi-Magic is an affordable car carpet cleaner that promises to deliver amazing results. However, there’s a tendency for the product to dry out leather surfaces or discolor sensitive areas. So make sure you use it properly.
5. Adam’s Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
Adam’s Polishes is another reputable brand in the car care industry, and its Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner is one of the more effective and easy-to-use options out there. It is designed to work against the toughest stains to restore your car fabric to its natural state without leaving behind any strong scent or odor.
Why Choose the Adam’s Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner?
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict: The Adam’s Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner is a product that really delivers on its promises. It is extremely easy to use and safe. We cannot recommend it enough.
6. 303 (30676) Fabric Protector and Stain Guard
If you’re looking for a cleaner that doesn’t only clean but also repels liquids to prevent or minimize future stains, then you should consider the Fabric Protector and Stain Guard by 303 Products. This auto cleaner is specially formulated to help you take care of liquid stains no matter how long they’ve been there.
Why Choose the Fabric Protector and Stain Guard?
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict: Overall, we consider this product to be well worth the price. It might not be the best option for every job, but it’s definitely one you can rely on to tackle liquid stains.
7. Aero Cosmetics Carpet Cleaner
If you are tired of using old-fashioned regular cleaners that do less than a good job on stains and want something that will really impress you, then look no further than the Interior Cleaner from Aero Cosmetics.
One of the major reasons we love this carpet cleaner is that it works so well — not only on carpet but on other surfaces as well. And its 32-ounce bottle makes it a great deal for its price.
Unique Features of the Aero Cosmetics Interior Cleaner
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict: We highly recommend this product to restore the natural look of your carpet. Make sure you follow the accompanying instructions to get the best results.
8. Naturally It’s Clean Carpet Cleaner
To conclude, our list is one more option from Naturally It’s Clean brand. Available in 24-ounce and two pack bottles, this is one of the more affordable options on the list. As the brand name suggests, this is a natural product, so it’s safe, non-toxic, and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals.
Like the other cleaners on the list, it is designed to remove various kinds of stains from car fabrics, and this includes carpets, upholstery, rugs, and drapery.
Why Choose Naturally It’s Clean?
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict: Overall, we consider this product a good option for effectively removing small stains and odors on car carpets.
Things to Consider Before Buying
If by now, you still haven’t figured out which carpet cleaner would work best for you, then don’t worry; we’ve prepared this buying guide to provide the additional insight you need.
With this in mind, here are the few key things to look out for in order to find an auto carpet cleaner that will meet your needs.
Multi-Purpose
Some stains cause the car to stink, especially when they are allowed to stay for long. It’s important to get rid of the foul smell as you clean the stains.
You can always use a carpet cleaner along with a deodorizer, but this might not always produce the desired result. Perhaps, it will cost you more money and time.
Luckily, some carpet cleaners are formulated to offer both deep cleaning action and also eliminate odor. A cleaner that doesn’t only clean but also eliminates odor is definitely more desirable than one that only removes spots and stains.
So instead of purchasing a simple carpet cleaner, consider purchasing one that doubles as a deodorizer. This will save you time and the extra expenses of purchasing an additional deodorizer.
Non-Toxic
Whether you decide to purchase a natural or organic cleaner, the most important thing is to ensure it’s safe for your vehicle carpet. Being non-toxic doesn’t necessarily guarantee that a product will not discolor or damage your fabric.
It’s usually better to choose something that is safe and less powerful than to choose something that is powerful but potentially destructive.
So the idea is to choose an eco-friendly product – something that will safeguard the quality of your vehicle interior materials so that they don’t get damaged in the long run.
Luckily, all the products we selected above are both powerful and safe, so you can shop freely without worrying about putting your carpet at risk.
Quick Drying
There are many products that take hours to dry after application. Except you have all the time in the world, you want to stay away from such cleaners. Instead, you want to use something that cleans and dries quickly so you can go about with your other businesses.
Thankfully, the best carpet cleaner products do not usually require much time to do their job. Most of the items above only take a few minutes to work.
In addition to a product that dries quickly, you also want something that is easy to use, something that can work with little to no agitation or brushing.
Spray cleaners are usually the easiest to use.
Surface Compatibility
Finally, you want to purchase a cleaner that is compatible with your carpet. This ensures your carpet doesn’t get damaged in the long run.
The best products work well on both light and dark colored carpets without bleaching or causing any discoloration.
In the same manner, if you end up purchasing a cleaner that is formulated for different surfaces, make sure it’s one that doesn’t pose any risk to these surfaces. Or else you might end up replacing those components or parts.
Price
Although carpet cleaners are generally affordable, most people still want the cheapest product that they can lay their hands on. While there’s nothing wrong with this, experience shows that the cheapest products are not always the best deals.
Rather than focusing exclusively on price, pay more attention to the overall value of the product.
Types of Car Carpet Cleaners
There are basically three kinds of carpet cleaners you will find in the market – spray bottle, aerosol and deodorizing.
Aerosol
Aerosol car carpet cleaners are best known for their foaming power. They use foaming action to remove dissolve and remove stains. Most of the time, they are supplied in cans that have a nozzle tip and a cap. The tip is usually small, while the cap can be replaced. We strongly advise shaking the container first before using it anything.
Spray Bottle
Spray bottle cleaners are very similar to aerosol cleaners except that they don’t usually produce as much foam as aerosols do. Also, aerosols are typically stored in cans while spray bottles come in bottles, which may be fitted with adjustable nozzles that make it easier to get to areas that are hard to reach.
Deodorizing
Some car carpet cleaners are usually marketed as deodorizers. What this simply means is that, apart from removing stains, these products also deodorize (i.e., they also help to eliminate odors caused by these stains). We personally advise purchasing cleaners that are also marketed as deodorizers as they usually leave your car smelling fresh and revived after cleaning.
How to Clean Your Car Carpet Properly
Having the best auto cleaner solution is just the first step towards seeking a clean car carpet and interior. The second and all-important step is to know how to use the cleaner.
Here are the steps you can follow to get a professional finish.
Remove Mat and Trash : To make everything easier for you, remove all visible particles and trash. Now, remove the mat on the car’s floor so you can easily reach the carpet.
Use a Vacuum : Next, vacuum the carpet to remove some surface dirt and filth. Make sure you do a thorough job as this reduces the amount of job your carpet cleaner has to do. We advise using attachments to access areas that are ordinarily hard to reach, such as crevices, under the seats and dashboard, and so on.
Cleaning : Now, it’s time to apply your carpet cleaner. Ensure you use the product as directed. Give enough time for the solution to sit in order to get the best results.
Brushing: Next, brush the carpet gently by moving in circles to bring out the loosened stain particles. In the case of an old or stubborn stain, you might need to reapply the product and give more time to settle before brushing again.
Residue Cleaning: To get rid of any sticky residue left after brushing, dampen the surface with a moist rag. Make sure you use a clean rag. Most of the cleaners we reviewed above do not leave behind any residue, so this step might not be necessary.
Drying Up: Finally, allow the carpet to dry. Open the car doors and windows to allow enough fresh air. Make sure the carpet dries properly before rearranging the car to prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use household cleaners to clean my car interior?
Answer: Yes, you can, but not always. Some household carpet cleaners may also work for car carpets. However, we advise testing the product before you go all out. You can do this in an inconspicuous area of the carpet.
It is also possible to use soapy water that is hot to remove surface stains; however, you will need something more potent for a deeply rooted stain. Overall, it’s best to use a car carpet cleaner.
How much of the cleaner do I need to apply?
Answer: This really depends on the stain. For light stains, you might need to only apply a small amount of the solution directly on the affected area just one time. However, for tougher stains, you might need to reapply the solution a couple of times until the stains come out.
Can I also use these cleaners to remove pet stains and odors?
Answer: Absolutely! All the products we reviewed above perform well against pet stains and odors. But we strongly recommend getting rid of the stains once you notice them. Also, you might still need to use an ozone machine to completely remove pet odors even after deodorizing the car with a cleaner.
Are interior cleaners also good for carpets?
Answer: It depends on the particular product. There are some multi-surface car cleaners that may also be geared towards carpets.
However, most of the time, these products are not as effective as those specifically designed for carpet surfaces. We strongly believe the Carfidant Ultimate is the best interior cleaner available for cleaning car carpets.
Final Words
Filth and stains can take a toll on your car showroom when allowed to thrive. But with the best car carpet cleaner, you can prevent this from happening.
All the products above have been tested and tried, and they all come highly recommended. If we were asked to pick a favorite, then it would be the Citrus Fabric Cleaner from Chemical Guys. And that is because we find it more professional and extremely effective.
But such a premium cleaner might not be necessary if all you want to remove is a small stain. So make sure you go for something that suits your budget and purpose.
Personally, we believe you can’t go wrong with any of the products above, as they all have some unique features that separate them from the crowd.