Having pets and little children in a carpeted house is probably one of the most complicated things.
This was the case for me when my children were growing up, and I had two dogs to handle as well. The amount of pet hair, dirt, sand, and whatnot on the carpet sometimes surprised me. However, it was not that much of a hassle as I had an excellent carpet cleaner. The issue came in after we shifted to a multi-storeyed house.
While my carpet cleaner worked like a charm in the whole house, the stairs never truly had a thorough clean. That’s when I had a few friends suggest some specific brands.
Hi! I'm Stacy, and if you're in a similar situation, I can help. I have put together this review of the best carpet cleaner for stairs, so you know what to buy when the time is right!
Top 5 Carpet Cleaner For Stairs Reviews
1. Hoover FH50700
Who doesn't know Hoover, right? In my mission to find the ideal carpet cleaner for me, Hoover was the first brand I turned to. This was mainly because I had used Hoover’s products before and was sure of their quality.
Product Highlights
The Hoover Powerdash Pet is a great carpet cleaner to have if you are looking for something lightweight and compact. Since you will be using this on the stairs, it is essential that it is light so you do not strain yourself. The Hoover Powerdash only weighs 12.5 lbs making it easy to carry around.
Don't let its compact frame fool you; this carpet cleaner is quite powerful and ideal for removing any daily stains and pet hair from the carpet. Since it is small, it can easily clean smaller spaces too. Additionally, the antimicrobial brush roll ensures a deeper, more thorough clean.
Moreover, the cleaner has a fast-drying heat force which is ideal for drying wet stains on the carpet. Not only will the rug be cleaned, but it will also dry in no time. Also, the overall design is quite ergonomic, and it is effortless to store.
What's There To Like About It?
One of the things I loved the most was how convenient it was to use. It is incredibly lightweight, did not take up much effort to use, and it perfectly sits in the corner of any room. Moreover, the power of the cleaner was quite shocking too. Despite its compactness, it still has two times more cleaning capacity than other similar brands.
Additionally, it has a 20 ft. cord that allows for a large cleaning radius and also a water/solution trigger with the handle.
What's There Not To Like About It?
While this is a great cleaner to use in the house, there are a few aspects where it lacks. Firstly, it is louder than most carpet cleaners. It would be best to use it in the middle of the day so that no neighbors are disturbed. Plus, there is no indicator to tell if the water tank is empty.
Pros and Cons of Hoover FH50700
Pros
Cons
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND COMPACT: Featuring a lightweight and compact design, the Hoover PowerDash Pet Carpet Cleaning Machine provides efficient cleaning power and easy storage. It's an excellent choice for small homes and apartments.
- SMALL BUT MIGHTY: This upright carpet cleaner is perfect for pet messes, high traffic areas, area rugs and small spaces. The antimicrobial PowerSpin pet brush roll helps protect against pet odors.
- FASTER DRYING: Built with HeatForce technology, the PowerDash helps you enjoy clean, dry carpets in no time.
2. BISSELL 3624
This next one was recommended to me by my son. He, too, was in search of a carpet cleaner and bought this one. He mentioned it was quite popular among pet owners.
Product Highlights
The Bissell carpet cleaner is a compact, portable, yet powerful, ideal for removing stains and pet messes on multiple surfaces like carpets, upholstery, and even car interiors. It has high-quality suction, so you know that no pet hair will be spared. Moreover, it is quite light and easy to carry around in the house.
Additionally, it comes with a 6-inch stair tool specifically made to remove spots and stains from stairs. Its wide cleaning path and compact design allow a thorough and easy clean-up. Plus, it comes with a 3-inch tough stain tool that will remove pretty much anything in its path!
You will also like that it can hold 3/4 gallons of water/solution, thanks to the large tank. Hence there is no need for constant refills. Another thing that aids effortless cleaning is the 5-foot hose and 20-foot long power cord.
What's There To Like About It?
Having a stair cleaning tool specifically along with the cleaner was a big help. That tool made it much easier for me to remove some hard-to-reach stains. Moreover, it weighs around 13 lbs, so it is not that difficult to carry on the stairs.
Another thing I really liked was its large tank size. Once I started using these on the stairs, I did not have to run around filling the tank in the middle of cleaning.
What's There Not To Like About It?
Among the many glowing reviews of different users and my own experience, it was challenging to find a serious fault. However, I was a little disappointed to see that the handheld brush holder was not up to the mark and broke after prolonged use. Other than that, functionality wise it works perfectly.
Pros and Cons of BISSELL 3624
Pros
Cons
- Every Bissell purchase helps save pets. Bissell proudly supports Bissell pet foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
- Our most powerful portable spot and stain cleaner for carpets, stairs, upholstery, auto interiors, and more.
- Combines superior suction, scrubbing action and professional cleaning solution to remove stubborn pet stains, embedded dirt and more.
3. Eureka NEN110A
When I messaged my friend and neighbor, Angie, which carpet cleaner I should try, she immediately recommended Eureka. She found it to be incredibly lightweight and said it offers a ton of value.
Product Highlights
If you are looking for the most lightweight cleaners, this is definitely the one to consider. This Eureka cleaner only weighs 8 lbs making it almost effortless to maneuver, especially when using it to clean the stairs. Additionally, it has a 16-feet extra long cord that allows more cleaning range.
Another great feature is that everything snaps and locks into place. All the detachable parts are made this way to ensure everything is secure and easy to remove and assemble whenever needed. Plus, the dust cup can be emptied directly into a trash can after you finish cleaning.
This Eureka cleaner is suitable for multiple surfaces. While it's great for carpets, it can also be used for the floor and rugs, with a push of a button.
What's There To Like About It?
The multi-purpose function of this cleaner was what caught my attention as I love to have tools that have more than one use. Not only is it more cost-efficient, but it also makes the job easier as I don't have to keep changing tools.
Moreover, it comes with many tools that make it easier to clean stairs, sofas, windows, and hard-to-reach places. The automatic cord rewind helps, too, since the 16-ft cord can get a bit hard to manage.
What's There Not To Like About It?
While this carpet cleaner has a lot to offer, there are a few quirks here and there. Firstly, the switch, which makes it suitable for various surfaces, is quite loose. This means you will have to ensure it is in the desired setting constantly. Plus, the dust collection bin is small and needs emptying quite quickly.
Pros and Cons of Eureka NEN110A
Pros
Cons
- Innovative Multi-Surface Vacuum: Deep clean with EUREKA whirlwind canister vacuum. Which features an integrated airflow control on the handle that can be easily switched at your fingertips. Suitable for: Carpet, Upholstery and Hard Floors. 960 watts.
- Lightweight And Easy To Maneuver: Eureka whirlwind lightweight vacuum cleaner weighs only 8.15 ponds, It can easily maneuver under and around furniture and stairs thanks to its swivel steering and telescoping metal Wand.
- 2.5L Dust Container, No Maintenance Costs: No bags or filters required. The whirlwind has a Bagless design and uses washable filters. Rinse the filters as needed and you’re ready to go
4. Bissell SpotBot 33N8A
If you are a pet owner, stains and dirt are a given. It's the same for me, which is why, based on the recommendation of a few neighbors, I tried the Bissell SpotBot.
Product Highlights
This carpet cleaner is a blessing in disguise for anyone with pets. It spot-cleans any mess efficiently on the carpet with minimal effort on your part. All you need to do is set it on the stain, choose one of the two preset cleaning cycles, and let it do its job. The days of sitting on the carpet scrubbing out the stain for hours are gone.
This machine has DeepReach technology that pours the cleaning formula deep into the carpet. And, the automatic sprays and brushes allow for a deep clean. Additionally, it also comes with a hose and a tough stain cleaning tool. It is appropriately shaped to remove stubborn stains on stairs and car interiors.
Moreover, storing this machine is a cakewalk since it is compact and does not take up much space. Also, the whole package comes with a trial-sized pet stain, odor formula, and a formula enhancer.
What's There To Like About It?
The convenience of the whole thing was what impressed me. As much as I love using traditional vacuums, this did make the work a lot easier. I was able to get a lot of things done on the side as this cleaner removed all the tough stains. Plus, the cleaning tool helped as I cleaned the car and the stairs.
I also like the little formula bottles that came with the cleaner. Since they are specifically made for carpets, it made the cleaning a lot faster.
What's There Not To Like About It?
This cleaner helped me a lot in many instances where I thought the stain wouldn't go. However, I did find it slightly inconvenient that the tank and the brush are a little tough to clean. For the cleaner to work at its best, it is essential to clean its parts regularly.
Pros and Cons of Bissell SpotBot 33N8A
Pros
Cons
- Every BISSELL purchase helps save pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
- Get rid of messes without getting your hands dirty. This hands free portable carpet cleaner does all the scrubbing for you
- Preset cleaning cycles that automatically spray, brush, and suction to permanently remove both surface and tough set-in pet stains. Just push the button to clean.
5. Rug Doctor 93390
Another excellent cleaner for pet lovers is the one by Rug Doctor. This was also recommended to me by my neighbors since most have cats and dogs that can dirty the house quite a bit.
Product Highlights
This one caught my attention as it performs a dual-action. The cleaning tool with this machine cleans stains and odor and is also equipped to tackle pet hair. This is because it has rubber bristles that efficiently remove pet hair, no matter how deeply embedded it may be in the carpet.
The Rug Doctor cleaner is lightweight and portable. To make things easier, it has a retractable handle and carpet-friendly wheels that allow you to get to the stain quickly. Additionally, it has a dual tank system that separates dirty and clean water, so draining is much easier.
Moreover, it is made to have twice the suction power compared to similar products in the market. You can use it on carpets, furniture, and auto interiors. Plus, since it is a compact machine, storing it is not a problem either.
What's There To Like About It?
I particularly liked the retractable handle on the device. It is not possible for me to carry around portable cleaners by always lifting them at my age. Having this handle makes it more comfortable for me and makes the process a lot quicker too.
Additionally, the cleaning tool was quite impressive as well. Not only were the bristles efficient in cleaning pet hair, but the 2x suction power allowed for a deep clean.
What's There Not To Like About It?
One significant issue is that the tanks are not very easy to clean. While it is easy to drain out, especially the dirty water tank, it doesn't remove dirt properly. This leads to mold formation on the inside. The only solution is to pay close attention when cleaning and ensuring it dries thoroughly.
Pros and Cons of Rug Doctor 93390
Pros
Cons
- THE MOST POWERFUL SUCTION/SUCTION POWER based on ASTM peak airwatts and integrated tool). The Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot Cleaner Machine deep cleans and removes tough pet stains and odors for professional grade results.
- HANDHELD DUAL ACTION PET TOOL with rubberized bristles removes pet hair, tough stains and odors. Easily removes embedded dirt, stains and everyday pet accidents like urine and vomit.
- PORTABLE, LIGHTWEIGHT, COMPACT: Our portable carpet cleaner machine design features carpet-friendly wheels and a retractable handle. Perfect for everyday cleaning, spring cleaning, touch-ups or deep-down cleaning.
Buyers Guide
And there you have it; a review of the best carpet cleaner for stairs. But we are far from being done here. Much like with any other product, some specific features need to be considered when buying a carpet cleaner.
This is why I have put together this buyer's guide to help you understand and identify a few of the essential factors. Hopefully, this will be informative and will help you pick a new carpet cleaner.
1. Carpet vs. Vacuum Cleaner
The first step in buying a carpet cleaner is understanding that you need a carpet cleaner. Often the terms vacuum cleaner and carpet cleaner are used interchangeably, but they are different products.
A vacuum cleaner is mainly for dirt and dust. It does work on carpets, but it will not help against stains and any wet mess. Moreover, it is more surface cleaning with a vacuum. On the other hand, carpet cleaners are made to deep clean carpet by washing, rinsing, scrubbing, and drying.
If you are specifically looking for a machine to deep clean hard to remove stains and dirt, then carpet cleaners are what you need. Otherwise, for basic cleaning, vacuums would be perfect.
2. Dry Or Wet Cleaning
Even in carpet cleaners, there are some that dry clean and some that need liquids and solutions. Dry cleaning involves steam for cleaning and is usually a bit more expensive than wet cleaners.
The wet carpet cleaners are a more affordable, less noisy, and easier to use option. Moreover, they get the job done faster.
3. Design And Size
Since the idea is to find something convenient, I would suggest buying something lightweight and not too big. This is mainly so that it's easy to carry around, especially when using it on the stairs. Moreover, it needs to be compact to fit on the stairs without you having to hold onto it constantly.
It is not just during usage but also storage. Traditional vacuum cleaners can be hard to store, but since this is a bit of an upgrade, ease in storage should also be kept in mind. Additionally, design-wise, it is essential to look at the tanks. Dual tanks make it easier to separate clean from dirty water when cleaning.
However, larger tanks or more than one tank in a cleaner can make the cleaner heavy and less portable.
4. Power
Power is everything when it comes to carpet cleaners. The cleaner needs to have strong suction and scrubbing ability to remove all the deeply rooted stains. The USP of any carpet cleaner is that it can spot-clean no matter how stubborn the stain is.
But the thing about too much power is that it can be harmful to the machine. So, ideally, you should look at a carpet cleaner with an excellent heat-release system like little vents. This will ensure that the heat has a space to get out from, ensuring the machine does not overheat.
5. Price
Of course, the price point of the carpet cleaner is critical. There is no point in buying a machine that costs a fortune when there are affordable alternatives out there. Simultaneously, it wouldn't be wise to buy a carpet cleaner only because it is cheap. The best thing to do would be to research the market price and buy something that offers a balance of value and worth.
6. Noise
Noise is a significant factor to consider since traditional vacuum cleaners can be loud. If you have pets, you will find them scared of the vacuum at times, causing a bit of disruption in their lives. Since carpet cleaners are a bit quieter, it does make it easier to have them on for a longer period.
However, it is essential to remember that carpet cleaners are not absolutely noiseless. They will make a low sound, but it is not enough to disturb pets, kids, or neighbors.
7. Brush and Tools
While the carpet cleaner is excellent for removing stains and marks, some also have additional brushes or tools to pick up hair or fibers. These also include specific tools to clean carpeted stairs. They are designed in a particular way that allows them to reach every corner and not miss a spot.
The brushes are made to comb through the carpet fibers in the carpet cleaner to offer proper cleaning. The only thing to ensure is that it does not get too tangled with hair or fibers, as those brushes are not equipped to handle that.
One good way to ensure the longevity of the brushes is by cleaning them regularly. The ideal situation would be to buy a model where the brush is removable, so there is no need to disassemble the whole machine just to clean the brush.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Since carpet cleaning with machines like these isn't as extensive as professional services, you can use these carpet cleaners daily for deep cleaning. This way, you can take care of the carpet little by little every day.
Mostly it can remove all stains ranging from dirt to bodily fluids. In some cases, it may not completely go, but it does decrease by a vast amount.
Odor, on the other hand, might not always be easy to get rid of as it depends on the carpet and solution used. However, using an enzymatic cleaner can help decrease the odor.
My Final Recommendation
Finally, we come to the end of my review of the best carpet cleaner for stairs. Buying a carpet cleaner was definitely a life-changing tool as it made everything easier. It is not always possible to sit and scrub a stain for hours, only to see some of it remains.Â
Before I leave, allow me to reiterate my personal favorites. Out of the five I have mentioned, I loved the Eureka NEN110A and BISSELL 3624. These two helped me remove stains from the carpet, furniture, and car on countless occasions. Both have indeed been multi-functional machines.Â
On that note, I shall say goodbye and be back soon with more guides and reviews.Â
See you next time!