When the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab evaluates portable carpet cleaning machines, we test how well they lift fresh and set-in food, dirt and other stains and how easy they are to fill, empty, clean and store. Plus, they're nimble and easier to use than a full-sized carpet cleaner. While you could go to work with a carpet stain remover spray and a cloth, a corded or cordless portable carpet cleaner can suck up wet spills better than a cloth and powers through stains better than you can by hand. Having the right tools on hand to act promptly when pets have accidents or guests spill wine on carpeting and upholstery is essential. Fresh stains are always easier to remove than dried ones, so time is of the essence. The key to effectively removing stains, whether from clothing, carpet or upholstery, is to tackle them quickly.
A new pick from Tineco was added to replace a discontinued model from another brand.
This story was updated in March 2023 to ensure all recommendations vetted and tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab were both current and in stock.