For a reliable carpet stain remover that can remove just about any stain, we recommend the Rocco & Roxie Oxy Stain Remover. It tackles both fresh and set-in stains, eliminating oily food marks, wine spills and mud. Plus, we think it has a great scent and the nozzle sprays a smooth stream of product.

On the other hand, this stain remover is expensive. It may also need ample time resting on the stain before it effectively removes the mark.

While the Carbona Oxy Powered 2-in-1 Carpet Cleaner handles old stains with ease, it excels at eliminating fresh stains. The product is easy to squeeze out of the container and then scrub with the built-in brush, so you don’t have to get your hands dirty. Plus, it works well on not just carpet, but also area rugs.

The downsides (which were hard to find): A few customers found that this product didn’t work as well on old, set-in stains. It’s also easy to squeeze too much product out of the bottle.

If you’re worried about the chemicals you’re spraying in the air and around your feet, consider an eco-friendly carpet stain remover like the Biokleen Bac-out Stain and Odor Eliminator. This product works well on even the toughest stains, including blood, mud and wine. It also eliminates odor (no more smelly cat spots).

However, some customers have noticed that this product can have a “ring” effect, meaning a ring from the stain may be left behind. It’s also one of our more pricey recommendations.

Got a tough, old stain that won’t budge? Try treating it with Krud Kutter. This water-based carpet stain remover works on all kinds of set-in stains, from oil-based marks to urine. It also works well on other surfaces, such as wood, to remove tape and glue residue.

The downsides (which were hard to find): We recommend letting Krud Kutter sit for at least 10 minutes on a stain before trying to blot or scrub it, and that wait time might be frustrating. In addition, be careful when using this on polished wood; it’s strong enough to remove wood stain and glazes.

If you’re struggling to find a formula that is safe around children’s hands and pet paws, we recommend the Bissell Woolite INSTAclean Pet Stain Remover. This product can eliminate the toughest stains, including old pet stains. Plus, most buyers agree that this spray smells better than other Woolite sprays.

On the other hand, the Bissell Woolite INSTAclean is more expensive when purchased online. Some customers also believe that other Woolite products perform better than this one.

Pet stains (urine, fecal matter and vomit) are notoriously difficult to remove from carpet, but the Angry Orange Stain remover handles them extremely well. It successfully eliminates odors too, and deters cats from urinating on the carpet again.

The downsides: You may find the citrus scent to be overpowering. Plus, pets could be sensitive to the ingredients — so it’s important to monitor your pets when you first try it. A few customers have also received defective bottles, and note that the formula isn’t as great for removing food stains.

Having tough pet stains on your carpet doesn’t mean you have to use harsh chemicals to remove them. The Bac-Out Pet Stain and Odor Remover is a great alternative to tough products because it works well on urine and fresh food stains, all while being biodegradable.

However, the effectiveness of this product can vary depending on the stain type. The formula works well on wine stains, for example, but not as well on grass and mud stains. In addition, a few customers find the scent to be off-putting.

If you want to completely remove carpet stains from your cat and deter your pet from marking its territory again, opt for Nature’s Miracle Advanced Stain and Odor Eliminator. This product effectively removes urine, vomit and fecal matter stains and eliminates odor. Plus, it’s easy to use and works well on other surfaces, such as rugs and wood floors.

The downsides: The effectiveness of this product varies when it comes to food stains. It works well on wine, for example, but not as well on barbecue sauce. Also, the foam sprayer can get messy, and some customers find the citrus scent to be overpowering.

Hoping to sanitize your carpet while removing stains? If so, opt for the Woolite Advanced Pet Stain & Odor Remover. The formula does a great job of making fresh and slightly older stains disappear, and it effectively kills germs. Plus, it has a pleasant, fresh scent.

On the other hand, the spray doesn’t thoroughly remove tough, set-in stains, and its effectiveness varies depending on the source of the stain. A few customers also didn’t like the scent.

Lingering smells from carpet stains are difficult to neutralize, but the OxiClean Carpet and Area Rug Stain Remover Spray does an excellent job of eliminating both mild and strong odors. It works well on tough, dried and set-in stains, and it has a pleasant scent.

However, this product is pricey, and it has to sit a long time on top of a stain in order to be effective. It also tends to work better on dried stains as opposed to wet ones, so you may need to let a fresh, wet stain sit in order for the spray to be effective. This is a gamble, unfortunately, because set-in stains are usually tougher to remove.

What we like about the Bissell Professional Power Shot Oxy Carpet Spot and Stain Remover: It has a high-pressure, stream sprayer which makes the product very easy to use. (You don’t have to constantly pump the sprayer!) The packaging is also eco-friendly, and the formula works well on tough, dark stains.

What could be improved: This product is pricey, and a few customers have received faulty sprayers. In addition, its effectiveness on pet stains varies.

With the Chateau Spill Red Wine Stain Remover, you don’t have to use a lot of elbow grease — the formula quickly cleans fresh and set-in wine stains without much scrubbing or blotting. It also comes in a travel-sized bottle, which is great for planes and long trips.

However, this stain remover isn’t the best at eliminating odors, and its effectiveness on other stain types (like pet and food stains) varies. It’s also expensive.

If you have a kid or two at home, you know just how difficult it is to keep up with their messes. Fortunately, the KIDS ‘N’ Pets Instant All-Purpose Stain & Odor Remover is exactly what you need. This versatile cleaner eliminates just about any type of stain, from lipstick to greasy foods to pet accidents. It’s also biodegradable, and the scent isn’t overpowering.

The downsides? A few buyers have received faulty sprayers, and the product is expensive if you buy it online. You may also need to let the product sit on top of the stain for a while before removing it.

Do you hate the extra step of rinsing out a carpet stain and letting it dry? If so, we recommend the FOLEX Instant Carpet Spot Remover. The formula is no-rinse, meaning you don’t have to wash it out of the carpet once you use it (so it won’t lighten the carpet if you leave it in). Also, it works well on upholstery and it has a light, pleasant scent.

However, some buyers have noticed that this spray may leave a ring around a stain if you use too much product. A few customers have also received faulty sprayers, while others note that the formula isn’t the best at eliminating odors.

Powder carpet cleaners do an excellent job of dissolving and absorbing dirt that you can easily vacuum away. The Arm & Hammer Powder Carpet Cleaner goes even further — it helps eliminate carpet stains. Indeed, customers note that the powder successfully eliminates fresh and set-in stains, which saves them the trouble of wetting the carpet with a sprayer.

On the other hand, you may need to scrub the powder into the carpet in order to fully lift stains, dirt and hair. A few buyers also found that the formula can get clumpy.