The joys of owning a pet are immeasurable. Apart from showing us affection on the door when we come home, they also offer us loyal companionship throughout their lifetime. Unfortunately, this friendship comes with some baggage: urine stains and stench.
But, can we blame them? Dogs are naturally predisposed to mark territory with their urine- that’s just a biological mishap we will have to live with. Others do not have the necessary IQ to take their pee to the right places. Unless you have those super trained and intelligent dogs that can sit on the toilets, chances are you are dealing with the problem of stinky stained carpets.
There is a wide variety of detergents that promise great results, but do not seem to deliver. You spend money on them, but they still leave all the stains plus the stench on your carpet. So, how do you know if the detergent is really up to the task?
Our Recommended Carpet Cleaners for Old Pet Urine Stains in 2023
Hoover Power Scrub Elite FH50251PC
The Hoover Power Scrub Elite FH50251PC is a very efficient carpet cleaner that is built for thorough scrubbing. It relies on a mobile and versatile design, as well as the very powerful Spin Scrub System.

While you are moving the Hoover FH50251PC Carpet Cleaner across your floors, the Spin Scrub System scrubs and brushes the stains and gunk that are on your carpets. But, what’s really nice about these brushes is that they spin at 360-degrees, allowing for more effective brushing and scrubbing.
By using the eight-foot hose and the different spot cleaning tools, you can easily clean pet stains that the carpet cleaner misses. Plus, you can also clean on couches, chairs, and other surfaces.
- SPIN SCRUB SYSTEM: Powerfully removes deep-embedded dirt and stains with 360 degree...
- FAST DRY TIME: Tackle surface stains as they happen with Quick Clean Mode and enjoy dry...
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet 1548F
With the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet, you have a carpet cleaner that offers a sleek, elegant, and mobile design. Because of this design, moving the carpet cleaner across your carpets is easy, leading to a convenient carpet cleaning process.

By using the Bissell 1548F Carpet Cleaner, you can easily clean all kinds of nasty pet stains and messes. To do this, you’ll be relying on systems such as the Dual Dirt Lifter Power Brushes, which scrub and loosen all kinds of stains and bits of gunk.
Through the use of a small hose and various spot cleaning tools, removing stains and messes on other surfaces is easy.
- Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission...
- Outcleans the Leading Rental. Plus, half the weight of the leading rental carpet cleaning...
Hoover Smartwash FH52000
The Hoover Smartwash FH52000 is a simple carpet cleaner that offers excellent cleaning power. It also offers one very useful cleaning system that changes the carpet cleaning experience.

While using the Hoover Smartwash FH52000 Carpet Cleaner, you’ll be relying on a series of different automatic systems.
Each one of these automatic systems allow for things like the right amount of water and cleaning solution to be mixed together, as well as for the automatic dryer to be turned on; along with various others. All of these systems make the carpet cleaning process more convenient.
As for the cleaning power this cleaner offers, it’s exceptional. Removing the stains and messes that are on your carpet is an easy and pleasant process.
- Automatic cleaning technology. Push forward to clean and pull back to dry
- Auto clean motion sensing design eliminates the guesswork. 1-Step Removable Nozzle makes...
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Max Clean Pet Pro 1986
From Bissell, we have the ProHeat 2X Revolution Max Clean. With this carpet cleaner, you have a large machine that has an ergonomic and mobile design, allowing for ease-of-use. Within the machine, there are a variety of excellent cleaning systems that make carpet cleaning nearly effortless.

As you move the Bissell 1986 Carpet Cleaner across your floors, Dual Dirt Lifter Power Brushes loosen up and remove the dirt, gunk, and grime that is within the carpet. But, along with that, they make quick work of whatever pet stains are on the carpet.
To enhance the cleaning process, there is a Clean Shot system that shoots water mixed with cleaning solution. It makes removing certain stains much easier.
- Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission...
- Engineered to be our best and most powerful carpet cleaning system for the toughest pet...
1) Bissell Big Green Professional 86T3
The Bissell Big Green 86T3 is a very large carpet cleaner. It offers excellent brushing power and fantastic suction, as well as a very powerful detergent system.

By using the brush power the Bissell Big Green Carpet Cleaner offers, you are able to easily remove all kinds of nasty pet urine stains, as well as just about any other pet stains. Water and detergent flows out of the machine as you do so, allowing for an even more thorough cleaning. All of the dirt, gunk, and grime you loosen up is sucked into the machine.
Even though this carpet cleaner is very large, moving it around and using it is quite easy. Because of that, the carpet cleaning experience is convenient.
- Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission...
- Outcleans the Leading Rental. Get professional grade cleaning results, Power Rating:12...
Different types of cleaners
Before knowing which cleaning products work for you, you have to be familiar with all the types of cleaning products. Switching one for another’s task may not work in your favor.
For instance, if you were to use a deodorizer to remove stains, then you will most definitely be disappointed with the results. So, which are the different types of cleaning products?
Enzymatic cleaners- they break up the chemical composition of the urine, including bacterial cells. They, therefore, have antibacterial properties and are also effective in odor neutralization.
There are various types of enzymatic cleaners: proteases work on food and blood stains; lipases work on oils, greases and fat stains; and amylases work on starch stains.
Odor neutralizers- although many deodorants claim they are odor neutralizers, most of them aren’t. What they do is mask the original stench with a totally new scent. The problem is that the cause of the stench does not go away.
What odor neutralizers do is to alter the chemical composition of the odor molecules, and in the process destroying their stench producing state. Getting the right odor neutralizer can be tricky.
To be on the safe side, just use enzymatic cleaners or baking soda from your kitchen.
Stain removers- they are classified based on how they work on stains. There are those that dissolve the stain. They have chemical components that dissolve the compounds of a stain. There are those that emulsify the stain.
They are divided into two, surfactants and emulsifiers. Surfactants increase the ability of stain molecules to retain water. Emulsifiers remove the stain by coating it and allowing its molecules to separate from the fabric of the carpet.
Then, there are those that digest the stain- these are just the enzymatic cleaners discussed above.
Lastly, there are those that simply hide the stain. They are just stain whiteners that make stains less noticeable. However, they do not remove them. These should be avoided at all cost.
Disinfectants- these cleaners kill bacteria and other microorganisms. Unfortunately, there are so many bacteria and microorganisms that one disinfectant cannot destroy all of them. You will, therefore, need to use more than one disinfectant, each with different chemical compositions.
Below a table that shows the different types of carpet cleaners, their ad- and disadvantages:
Type of carpet cleaner | Advantages | Disadvantages |
Carpet shampoo | • A high dwell time | • Long drying time |
• Deep down | • Risk of stain if not used properly | |
• Need special equipment to apply | ||
Carpet spray | • Suitable for upholstery | • Not ideal for a large area |
• Good cleaning effect | ||
• Targeted stain removal | ||
Carpet powder | • Fast cleaning method | • Complicated to apply |
• Short drying time | • No entry after application | |
• No special cleaning machine needed | ||
Carpet foam | • Easy to use | • Manual training necessary |
• Ready for use | • Long exposure time | |
• Effective against oil and dirt |
Carpet Cleaners for Pet Urine Stains FAQs
Do not get carried away by your mission to save your carpet and then overlook the risks that some products may pose for you, your family and your pet. These cleaning products have chemical compounds that increase the risk of medical complications when you are exposed to them for a long time.
Select cleaners that are suitable for the environment, such as enzyme-based products rather than the ones with harsh chemicals.
Carpets respond differently to dog urine. Carpets made from natural fiber tend to absorb the wetness easily than synthetically based carpets. Therefore, natural fiber carpets are harder to clean and also have a shorter period before the urine discharge becomes a stain.
Furthermore, since they are made from natural fiber, they are more predisposed to have faster bacterial build up. You should know your carpet type, before purchasing the right cleaning agent.
With a new moist stain, a stain cleaner is not really necessary. Just make a white vinegar solution with water on a 1:1 ratio, sprinkle the stained area with baking soda and spray it with the vinegar solution.
Allow the fizzing to continue for a few minutes before drying it with paper towels.
Older stains are a bit challenging, because as they get older, they become more stubborn. The first step is to sprinkle water on the dried stain to soften it. Use a wet vacuum if necessary to draw out the dirty water. Apply the odor neutralizer and let it dry out, keeping in mind all the recommendations of the manufacturer. Lastly, apply the right stain remover to get the job completely done.
Benefits of Carpet Cleaners
Here are the advantages that you would get when you use the best carpet cleaner to remove old pet urine stains from your carpet.
- Pleasing smells such as apple or lemon
- Cleaning is more affordable than getting a brand new carpet
- They make your carpet look brighter
- You will appreciate gentler and softer carpet bristles

If you have any questions or comments, please add them below in the comment section. Similarly, please let us know if you spot any mistakes or omissions. Thanks!
Last Update: 2023-09-30 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API