Our experts scrub coffee, soy sauce, red wine and more out of fabric for weeks at a time, to find out whether spot stain removers live up to their cleaning claims.

• How we choose which spot stain removers to test
• How we test spot stain removers
• Test criteria explained

How we choose which spot stain removers to test

Spot stain removers are a relatively new product, so we aim to test popular models from well-known brands with a strong market presence. Our market researchers find out what the most popular brands are on the market. They’ll survey manufacturers about their latest products, and ask them whether those products are likely to stick around beyond publication time.

How we test spot stain removers

Performance is assessed by removing wet and dry stains from strips of upholstery. Wet stains are removed immediately while dry stains are left to absorb and dry before cleaning. Tests are conducted on the front and back of each strip.

For each stain, the percentage cleaned is calculated by comparing the reflectivity of the cleaned stain with the reflectivity of the unstained fabric and the reflectivity of the stained fabric. The closer the cleaned fabric is to the original uncleaned fabric the greater the percentage cleaned.

Fluids used for testing are:

• Coffee
• Gravy
• Red wine
• Soy sauce

Ease of use

We look at setup, cleaning and storage. This includes assembling the stain removers, attaching and swapping the heads and filling the tanks.

Our experts consider how easy it is to use the cleaning wand while removing stains during the performance test. We look for models that feel light and easy to move around, with a precise, consistent water spray. Hose and power cable length factor in as well.

The storage test includes emptying dirty water from the tanks and stowing the hose and power cable. We check for extra storage features such as stowage for additional brush heads.

Noise test

We measure noise at the operator’s ear level. Some models in our test are loud enough to cause hearing damage when used for extended periods, so hearing protection is recommended.

Safety tests

This is a general electrical safety and insulation assessment to ensure each product meets the requirements to be sold in Australia.

Test criteria explained

The ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating for spot stain removers is made up of:

• Performance: 70%
• Ease of use: 30%

Performance scores are an average of all four wet and dry stain removal tests for each product.

Our test lab

Our labs are up to date with the latest reference machines and calibrated measurement tools to ensure we get the right results. The reflection of each stain is measured before and after cleaning using a spectrophotometer.

The post How we test carpet spot stain removers appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

Keeping your carpets looking good requires a multi-pronged approach: vacuuming, stain removal and carpet shampooing.Ìý

The key to keeping on top of stains is to act quickly: soak up the stain ASAP, then use a stain remover on the area.Ìý

Electric carpet shampooers (also known as carpet cleaners) are better suited to removing in-ground dirt, rather than cleaning stains, so they’re more of a once-a-year thing.Ìý

We’ll talk you through stain removal and carpet shampooing, and reveal the best stain remover we’ve tested.Ìý

How to get red wine, coffee, sauce, dirt and oil stains out of carpet

The best stain remover

Here’s the stain remover product recommended by our experts:

Peerless Jal Carpet Spotter And Deodoriser

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 76%
• Price: $14.99 ($2 per 100mL)

Best for: red wine stains, sauce stains, coffee stains and oil/dirt stains.

Read theÌýfull Peerless Jal Carpet Spotter And Deodoriser review.

How we test carpet stain removers

So we can make sure which stain removers really do the job, we stain cream-coloured carpet with five different stains: red wine, coffee, sauce, dirt/oil and foundation. We apply the stain remover and leave it on the stain according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then use a special device to measure what percentage of the stain has been removed.Ìý

We repeat each type of stain four times (that’s 20 tests for each product!) so you can be confident that the stain remover you buy really works.Ìý

The DIY stain remover that works better than some shop-bought products

As part of our testing, our experts whip up a homemade stain remover that contains products that you already have in your kitchen.Ìý

It didn’t perform especially well in our testing, but you can use it in a pinch if you don’t have a stain remover on hand but need to deal with a stain asap.Ìý

It’s far cheaper than anything you can buy at the shops, and it actually performed better than some commercial stain removers. It’s also not bad at removing oil and dirt, so is a good option if you’re trying to deal with spilt olive oil or the like.Ìý

Home Recipe One:

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 49%
• Price: 55c per 100mL

Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons dishwashing liquid
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• ¼ cup water

Directions

Work the mixture into the stain, being careful not to over-wet the carpet.Ìý Blot the area clean with a towel.Ìý

Best for: oil/dirt stains, foundation stains

The stain remover products that performed worse than our DIY recipe

Our homemade recipe scored just 49% in our testing – which isn’t exactly surprising considering it doesn’t have any fancy stain-removing chemicals in it.Ìý

But what is surprising is that several shop-bought products that cost far more failed to outperform our DIY stain remover.Ìý

These are the products you shouldn’t bother putting in your trolley:

• Bissell Heavy Traffic: 42%Ìý
• Britex Spot ‘n’ Stain Carpet & Upholstery Wipes: 43%Ìý
• No Vac Instant Spot And Stain Remover: 45%Ìý
• Vanish Gold Preen 3 in 1 Deep Cleaning Foam: 49%

The standout of these poor performers is the Bissell Heavy Traffic product: not only was it the lowest-scoring product overall, it also costs a whopping $2.08 per 100mL. That’s more than 3.5 times more expensive than our homemade recipe!

DIY carpet shampooers – buy or hire?

If your carpet is in need of some TLC beyond just a stain remover spot treatment, the next step is using a carpet shampooer.Ìý

Carpet shampooers use a combination of water, concentrated detergent and suction to lift deep-down dirt from your carpet pile when your traditional vacuum or carpet cleaning methods aren’t up to the task.

You can hire a carpet steam cleaner for around $50 for 48 hours (plus cleaning solution), but if you want to buy, you’re looking at anywhere from $200 up to $1600 (plus cleaning solution). You don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune to get a good carpet cleaner, though: a number of models our experts recommend cost less than $500.Ìý

Whether or not you’re prepared to spend the money on buying your own machine depends on how often you think you’ll use it, and whether you have space to store it: it might be better value to just hire a machine once a year.Ìý

To make buying a carpet shampooer outright worth your while, you’d have to be using it a lot to get value out of it, unless you’re using it across multiple properties or sharing it with someone else.

Before you hit the hire shop or the high street, check our reviews to find the best carpet shampooers on the market. And if you’re on the fence about buying or hiring, read our carpet shampooer buying guideÌýfor more information.Ìý

The carpet shampooer to avoid

In our review of carpet shampooers, one model in particular stood out – for all the wrong reasons.Ìý

The Sauber Pro Carpet Shampooer (SG-100) scored a woeful 43% in our tests, performing especially poorly for stain cleaning and general carpet cleaning (so pretty much everything you want a carpet shampooer to do!).Ìý

At $349, it falls at the cheaper end of the market, but even for the price it’s hardly a bargain given its poor performance.Ìý

The post How to get stains out of carpets appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• How we choose what we test
• How we test carpet stain removers
• Test criteria explained

How we choose what we test

Our market researchers find out what the most popular brands are on the market. They’ll survey manufacturers about their latest products, and ask them whether they’ll stick around beyond publication time.

Carpet cleaners come in a variety of applications, from foam spray to liquid spray to powder, and we also put a couple of home recipes through our testing regime. In some instances, these homemade stain removers outperform the more costly retail versions.

Home recipe 1

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons dishwashing liquid
• 3 tablespoons white vinegarÌýÌý
• 1/4 cup water

Directions

Work the combined mixture into the stain being careful not to over-wet the carpet and blot it dry with a clean towel.

(Plus: A clean towel, clean sponge and a spray bottle).

Home recipe 2

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquidÌý
• 1 tablespoon white vinegarÌý
• 1 cup warm waterÌý
• 1 teaspoon baking sodaÌý

(Plus: A clean towel, clean sponge and a spray bottle).

Directions

Spray the soiled area with the carpet cleaner being careful not to over-wet the carpet, and then gently rub and dab with the towel.

How we test carpet stain removers

We soil cream-coloured carpet with five soils: red wine, coffee, sauce, dirt/oil and foundation. Reflectance readings are taken of the soiled carpet stains.Ìý

We follow the directions for applying the product and the amount of time it should be left on the stain. The time differs depending on the manufacturer recommendation. Once the product is removed, the reflectance readings are taken and the percentage of soil removal is calculated. We repeat the test four times for each stain, or 20 carpet tiles for each product.

Because each carpet stain remover falls into a category (spray, foam, powder), we test to a couple of different methods to accommodate manufacturer directions for use.

Method 1

5mL of product is applied to the centre of the carpet square and left for a set amount of time. A damp cloth is then used to massage the product into the carpet for 30 seconds in a clockwise circular direction, and the carpet tile is then left to dry.Ìý

Method 2

5g of product is applied to the centre of the carpet square and brushed in for 30 seconds. The carpet is left for a set time.

Test criteria explained

The ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating, our overall score, is based on how well each carpet stain remover gets rid of these five common stains (all weighted equally):

• red wine
• coffee
• sauce
• oil/dirt
• foundation.

We recommend carpet stain removers with a ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating of at least 70%.

The post How we test carpet stain removers appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Our expert testers
• How we choose what carpet shampooers to test
• How ÌÇÐÄVlog tests carpet shampooers
• Test criteria explained
• Our test lab

Here’s how our lab experts discover which ones perform best and are easy to use.

Our expert testers

At ÌÇÐÄVlog, the vast majority of our product testing is done by our qualified in-house testers. Our testers are highly experienced in testing a wide range of products using calibrated equipment, and many sit on Standards committees and belong to other professional bodies.

How we choose what carpet shampooers to test

Carpet shampooers can be bought outright or hired through a range of retail outlets, and we test what you’d typically see in major retailers. Our product researcher will survey manufacturers to find out about their range of models, and our buyers purchase them anonymously to ensure they’re the exact same models you’d buy yourself. This means we know they haven’t been ‘tweaked’ in any way.

For practical and cost reasons, we may borrow rental models from manufacturers for a number of weeks during our testing process, but when it’s time to conduct key carpet cleaning tests we still go out and rent them in their used form, as a consumer would, to replicate the experience.

How ÌÇÐÄVlog tests carpet shampooers

Our test includes carpet cleaning, stain removal, noise, ease of use and residual wetness.

Carpet cleaning and stain removal

We embed a mixture of clay, sand and canola oil spray into our test carpet and leave it to set. The aim of this concoction is to replicate months, if not years, of built-up dirt, sweat and oil – the type of stuff you want to get rid of with a carpet shampooer.

After using the carpet shampooer according to the manufacturer’s instructions, we use a spectrophotometer to see how close the carpet cleaner can get the soiled carpet back to its original and new colour, then convert this into a carpet cleaning score.

We also test how well they remove wine, gravy and coffee stains using a visual assessment. This is only a small part of our testing, as most carpet cleaners don’t do a good job (and don’t claim to be stain removers). For any spills, you’re better off using a dedicated carpet stain remover.

Ease of use

Some of the machines are very bulky and cumbersome to operate. To test ease of use, our expert assesses:

• how easy it is to move the cleaning head over carpet, and whether it drags
• mobility, which includes reach from the power point, weight of the unit and wand, and wand length
• ease of accessing and using controls
• ease of filling/emptying the water containers.

Residual wetness

Over a 24-hour period, we periodically assess how wet the carpets are after cleaning, and also check the undersides for any dampness.

Noise

Measured at operator’s ear level. Many of these machines are very loud and irritating, and the use of ear protection is recommended.Ìý

Test criteria explained

The performance score makes up 70% of the ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating, and ease of use comprises 30%. Performance includes 80% carpet cleaning, 10% noise and 10% residual wetness score.

Our test lab

Carpet cleaning tests are conducted in ÌÇÐÄVlog’s temperature controlled vacuum lab. Our labs are up-to-date with the latest reference machines and calibrated measurement tools to ensure you get the right results.

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