If your car carpet picks up stains from everyday use, you’ll need an excellent car carpet stain remover. With so much choice, we’ve made your decision-making easier with our top 3 recommendations. Also, we share car interior detailing tips on how to make an eco-friendly homemade car carpet cleaner without harmful chemicals.

You can learn more about green car care when you download our Eco Wash Benefit Guide:

3 Best Car Carpet Stain Remover You Can Trust

Spills from food and drinks or mud tracked into your vehicle can lead to marks on your carpet. And if you travel with pets, they may leave stains on mats or carpets. However, help is at hand with deep-cleaning foams and formulas.

Whichever product you use, do a spot test first on a small, hidden area to ensure it doesn’t cause carpet discoloration. Note, prices may vary depending on the retailer.

1. Lightning Fast Stain Extractor from Chemical Guys

Chemical Guys has a reputation for creating excellent car care products. For example, its car carpet stain remover, Lightning Fast Stain Extractor, dissolves the toughest stains. Also, it makes it easier for you to clean carpets without intense scrubbing. I.e., less effort on your part and better for your carpet!

As its name suggests, this super-concentrated formula works fast. Dilute as desired, then apply to any kind of stain. For instance, it works brilliantly to remove coffee stains, wine, grease, chocolate, and more. For lighter stains, dilute the formula 1:20 with distilled water.

Another benefit is odor-removal. The stain extractor destroys bad smells, leaving your car carpet smelling clean and fresh. See also our tips on how to get bad smell out of car.

Happy customers highlight the benefits of this best car carpet stain remover. For example, Jason K. says, “Tried it on my white seats that had coffee and soda stains along with being dirty. Worked amazing. Looks new and with little effort.”

And Jeffrey Smith adds, “There hasn’t been a stain I couldn’t get out with it. Tannins, proteins, anything, it works.”

So, when it comes to types of surfaces and car carpet fabrics, the product seems to work on pretty much anything. It’s great for carpets, upholstery, headliners, seat belts, etc. Also, try it when you want to get oil out of car seat. Additionally, it’s gentle to the surface’s color and will not cause fading.

When using this car carpet stain remover, do the following:

• First, use your car vacuum to lift loose dirt from carpet.
• Spray on the stain.
• Let it sit for a minute. This will give enough time for the agents to separate the dirt and odor particles and bring them to the surface.
• Then, agitate with a car wash brush.
• Wipe clean with a microfiber car cloth.
• Vacuum again to finish.

Prices from $11.99 for 16 fl. oz. Or from $49.99 for 1 gallon.

2. Bissell Pro Oxy Power Shot

Try this one if you’re looking for a strong car carpet stain remover that is also kind to the environment. Bissell Pro Oxy Power Shot Carpet Stain Remover contains biodegradable detergents instead of phosphates or dyes. This earth-friendly formula makes it safe to use around children and pets.

Its high-pressure spray nozzle directs a “power shot” of cleaning formula at tough stains. Use it to remove motor oil, greasy spots, pet mess, soda, and other stains.

Also, it has a patented odor-elimination technology that helps get smoke smell out of car. Similarly, it works on mold, mildew, and pet odors when you want to freshen your car interior.

Let’s see what other users say. MG writes, “This stuff is absolutely excellent. And I love the spray nozzle because you don’t have to pump it; it just keeps a steady stream until the stained area is covered.”

And Becca is impressed, too, “This is an unbelievable stain remover; it gets EVERYTHING out, not just pet stains and it removes odor. It also works on old stains, which almost nothing else does.”

Bissell Pro Oxy Power Shot is one of the best car carpet stain removers because it is safe for all colorfast carpets including wool, nylon, acrylic and stain-resistant carpets. Moreover, it continues to work on the stain 24 hours after blotting.

When using this auto carpet stain remover, do the following:

• Spray in a circular pattern to cover the stain.
• Leave for 5 minutes to allow the cleaner to work.
• Then, blot with a clean microfiber cloth.
• If you’re dealing with a set-in stain, repeat as necessary.

Prices from $6.99 for 14 fl. oz.

3. Tuff Stuff Multi-Purpose Foam Cleaner

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly car carpet stain remover, try Tuff Stuff Multi-Purpose Foam Cleaner. As the name implies, this product isn’t just for your car carpet. You can use it on multiple surfaces, such as upholstery, car headliner, seats, and mats.

It comes in an easy-to-use aerosol can that sprays the solution deep into the fabric. The strong foaming action lifts dirt, so you can say goodbye to your tough stains. Additionally, it helps restore true color and appearance.

There are a lot of positive reviews about this product. For example, Kevin writes, ““I’ve been doing details for 5 years now, and this is one of the best time-saving products.”

Julie also gives the foam cleaner the thumbs up, “Does a great job keeping the car clean from road trip stains and accidental stains.”

When using this best stain remover for car carpet, do the following:

• Shake the can well.
• Hold it upright and spray onto the stain.
• Leave the foam for 30-40 seconds to work its magic and lift the stain.
• Then, gently scrub with a car wash brush or sponge.
• Wipe clean with a dry cloth.

Price from $8.99 for 22 fl. oz. Alternatively, check out special offers at Walmart where it sometimes sells for under $5.

If you like these recommendations, we have more car care advice. See our guide to best car interior detailing products.

Homemade Car Carpet Cleaner

If you prefer to use a homemade car carpet cleaner without the harsh chemicals, follow our step-by-step guide to tackle the toughest stains.

Select Your Tools and Equipment

You may already have most of the items at home. If not, you can easily buy them at your local store or supermarket.

• Microfiber towels
• Paper towels
• Funnel
• Spray bottle
• Small mixing bowl
• Toothbrush
• Car vacuum
• Rubber gloves (optional)

Also, having a slightly larger bristle brush to hand is useful, especially if you ever need to clean salt from car carpet. Use the brush to agitate the salt stain. Then apply your homemade car carpet stain remover, see below.

Collect Your Ingredients

You can adjust the ingredients for this homemade car carpet stain remover according to the type of stain. Water is a natural diluting agent when it comes to making a stain remover, so add less or more depending on the severity of the stain. A multi-purpose stain remover will include the following:

• Distilled white vinegar
• Dish soap
• Water
• Lemon juice or lemon/lavender essential oil

For stubborn stains and odors:

• Baking soda
• Water

Make the Homemade Car Carpet Cleaner

Use your funnel to avoid spills when pouring liquids into the spray bottle. But if you don’t like the smell of vinegar, add a couple of drops of lemon juice or essential oil to create a citrussy fresh scent.

• Add equal parts vinegar and water to your spray bottle. For example, ¼ cup of vinegar to ¼ cup of water.
• Shake the mixture well.
• Add 1 teaspoon of dish soap. Dish soap is great for cutting through grease.
• Add a few drops of lemon juice/oil or more if you prefer a stronger fragrance.
• Shake again.

If the stain has left an unpleasant smell on the carpet or you want to know how to remove mold from car interior, it’s a good idea to use baking soda. Not only will it remove the stain, but it will also get rid of any bad odors.

Simply mix 1 tablespoon baking soda in a small bowl with enough water to create a paste. For larger stained areas, mix ¼ cup baking soda with 1 cup warm water.

Baking soda is a cost-effective alternative to store-bought car carpet stain remover. Furthermore, this eco-friendly mild abrasive has antibacterial properties that also help to eliminate any nasty odors from a stained carpet. It is also good for removing pet or smoke smells inside of your car.

Car Carpet Stain Remover Technique

First, remove any loose particles or dirt from the stained area. For example, vacuum or brush chocolate, crumbs, or road salt from the carpet. Then do as follows:

• Spray the stain with your soapy, vinegar solution.
• Dab the stain with a clean cloth, gently rubbing the carpet to get the mark out.
• Blot any excess soapy water and moisture with a microfiber cloth or paper towel.

For stubborn non-greasy stains and odors, rub your baking powder paste into the stain. Gently agitate the stain with the toothbrush or bristle brush. This will help work your DIY cleaner deep into the carpet fibers for best results.

If you’re dealing with a larger stain, such as a coffee or juice spillage, do the following:

• Sprinkle a generous dose of the baking soda directly and evenly onto the carpet stain.
• Spray with a light mist of warm-to-hot water.
• Gently work the baking soda into the stain to get deep into the carpet fibers.
• Leave to sit for at least a couple of hours.
• Blot excess baking power with a paper towel.

The trick is not to overload the stained area with too much soapy solution or baking soda. Otherwise, you’ll end up with saturated carpets that can take a while to dry. This advice applies to upholstery. For instance, see how to remove stains from car seats.

Vacuum Car Carpet for Spotless Results

Once you have used your homemade car carpet cleaner, vacuum the area to leave it looking like new again. Then, open all the car doors and windows to let the air circulate while giving damp areas of the carpet or mats a chance to dry properly.

If you think your car carpets need a deeper clean, follow our tips on how to steam clean car interior. Steam’s high temperature breaks down stains, leaving your vehicle’s interior looking like new. But if you don’t have a steam cleaner for cars, contact professional detailers to do the job.

Conclusion

In summary, if you’re shopping for the best stain remover for car carpet, our top 3 recommendations will help your decision-making. Choose from fast-acting sprays, earth-friendly formulas, or multi-purpose foam cleaners.

Alternatively, it only takes minutes to make a cost-effective homemade car carpet cleaner for spotlessly clean results. For instance, vinegar, dish soap and baking soda are your go-to ingredients.

Finally, if you don’t have time to clean your car carpets, leave this task to the auto detailing professionals. Our friendly team will transform your car interior, leaving it like new.

To find out more about green cleaning techniques, download our Eco Wash Benefit Guide: