In times of domestic accidents, we know the drill. Pour white wine over a red wine stain to neutralise it, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on top and hope for the best.
Many of us have succumbed to the false hope provided by these old wives’ tales in a blind panic to save that brand-new sofa or the carpeted floors of the flat you’re currently renting.
While bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, vinegar, and lemon certainly have the chemical power to help reduce the appearance of stains and remove funky smells, they won’t provide a magical cure for that nasty stain. Likewise, carpet cleaning substances that promise to vanquish stains and harsh scents including Vanish and Dr Beckmann are all well and good – but we often can’t deliver the necessary elbow grease to truly rinse the stain from carpets, fabrics, and upholstery.
Big stains require big guns. This is where dedicated carpet and upholstery cleaning devices come in.
Vax is the name to know. The brand is one of the most popular names for professional-level carpet cleaning devices and stain-removing gadgets. Founded by industrial carpet cleaning expert Alan Brazier in 1977, he invented the world’s first multi-functional floor-care machine which was initially sold through doorstep sales. This iconic little device was known simply as the “orange tub”.
More than 40 years later, Vax has continued to innovate and expand its unbeatable floor care offering.
How we tested
When it comes to home cleaning, the best tools aren’t always the ones that promise to solve every problem with one magical spray. That’s why we rigorously tested each of these carpet and upholstery cleaning devices in real-life scenarios, applying them to a variety of stains and surfaces to gauge their effectiveness, ease of use, and versatility.
The ES Shopping team evaluated their cleaning power by tackling everything from coffee and red wine stains to grease and pet messes, on carpets, upholstery, and even car interiors. We took note of how each device handled stubborn stains, the speed at which they worked, and how much effort was required to get the desired results. The setup process was also considered – ease of use, tank capacity, and the time it took for each product to be ready for action were all key factors in our review.
Additionally, we assessed the durability of each device and its accessories, checking how well the parts stood up to extended use and whether the cleaning results remained consistent over time. Our expert reviewers also looked at the practicality of storage, including cord length, weight, and whether the devices offered any handy features like easy-to-change cloths or a variety of nozzles for different cleaning tasks.
Best Vax carpet cleaners at a glance
Whether you’re a member of a growing family and can’t keep up with the mess, are a pet owner, or simply a klutz looking to implement a stain removal safety measure at home – we’ve rounded up a selection of the best Vax carpet and spot cleaners currently available.
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Best Vax alternatives
Best Vax carpet cleaners
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Vax Platinum Smart Wash Carpet Cleaner
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Best for: old carpets and upholstery
The Vax Platinum Smart Wash carpet cleaner is among the most expensive models in the range, but its range of features means it more than earns its keep. This powerful upright cleaner is designed to remove over 99 per cent of the bacteria hidden deep within your carpet - with minimal effort on your part.
Thanks to the innovative motion sense technology, you don’t need to go over your entire floor twice in order to properly wash and rinse, nor do you even need to flip a switch. The Platinum SmartWash automatically transitions between washing and drying depending on whether you’re pushing forward or pulling backwards.
Unlike smaller spot washers, you also won’t need to worry about dispensing too much, or too little cleaning solution. The triggerless design of the Platinum Smart Wash ensures the perfect amount of water and solution is dispensed every time.
We’re big fans of the additional handheld Spinscrub tool that comes alongside the Platinum Smart Wash, which enables you to remove dirt and stains from stairs due to its smaller, more compact brush head.
Buy now £198.00, Amazon
Vax Spot Wash Home Pet-Design Spot Cleaner
Best for: pet-owners
One of our all-time favourites within the Vax range, the lightweight, portable, and packable SpotWash Home Pet-Design Duo is a brilliant stain-busting tool for those with smaller spaces and less ample storage solutions.
Just like the majority of spot cleaners within the Vax range, this one removes over 99 per cent of bacteria when used with the corresponding Vax Antibacterial Solution. However, the main difference between the Home Pet-Design and other models is the many, varied brush heads that come alongside it.
The latest addition to the Vax brush head family is the advanced Spinscrub tool, which has automatic rotating bristles that work to remove the deepest dirt and grime lodged inside carpet and upholstery. Other specialised tools designed with pet owners in mind include a ‘messy’ tool that prevents cross-contamination with your everyday cleaning brush head.
Buy now £199.00, Amazon
Vax Rapid Power Revive Carpet Cleaner
Best for: an industrial clean
This hefty machine from Vax is detailed with orange accents, harking back to the industrial origins of the very first Vax prototype of the 70s. Perfect for large families with even larger surface areas to clean, or even owners of office spaces looking to get the job done themselves, the Vax Rapid Power Revive has an extra-large tank for your longest clean yet.
This machine also comes with additional brush heads for a thorough clean – allowing you to get into every nook and cranny with the dedicated auto-mixed cleaning solution.
Plus, your purchase of the Vax Rapid Power Revive comes with the brand’s fan-favourite Platinum Solution included, so you can achieve a powerful deep clean and remove stubborn stains.
Buy now £129.00, Amazon
Vax Spot Wash Duo Spot Cleaner
Best for: spot cleaning
The original Vax SpotWash Duo makes a versatile and efficient addition to any home cleaning arsenal. It features a range of additional anti-microbial tools, as well as a self-cleaning function that flushes the inner hose clean after every use – so keeping your home smell- and stain-free has never been so easy. While this machine is relatively lightweight, coming in at a mere 3.9kg, it is also equipped with a long-reach hose so that you don’t have to lug the device into each corner of the room that you’re working on.
Buy now £92.00, Amazon
Vax Spot Wash Spot Cleaner
Best for: keeping in your car
We know what you’re thinking: what on earth is the difference between the SpotWash Duo and the regular old Spot Wash?
Despite the fact that Vax’s classic SpotWash is considered the most bog-standard of all the models within the upholstery and carpet-cleaning range, it still comes equipped with a bottle of Vax’s dedicated cleaning solution and a pre-attached long-reach hose. It’s a useful cleaner for keeping in your car boot in case of emergencies.
Buy now £92.00, Amazon
Best Vax alternatives
Bissell Spot Clean Pro
‘Spots and stains come off in seconds’ with the Bissell Spot Clean Pro, so says Bissell. We spot-cleaned our way around a cream carpet that houses a large golden retriever, and we can confirm that this powerful but compact machine lives up to the hype.
Its lightweight, portable design allows you to remove stains from stairs and upholstery as well as carpets and rugs and it comes with an extra-long power cord plus a selection of brushes to remove ‘it just happened’ stains as well as older, ingrained marks wherever they may occur.
It tackled older stains impressively and got to work on ingrained stains effectively, leaving them surprisingly clear.
The only downside of this powerful machine is that it is pretty noisy, so not one for use late at night or while the baby’s napping.
Buy now £179.01, John Lewis
Kärcher Steam Cleaner SC 4 Easy Fix
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Several professional cleaners recommend the Kärcher SC 4 EasyFix for achieving exceptional results in clients' homes, with its powerful design delivering both efficiency and reliability.
The Kärcher SC 4 EasyFix steam cleaner offers a deep cleaning solution that eliminates 99.999 per cent of viruses and bacteria using nothing but tap water. Its 3.5-bar steam pressure effortlessly tackles grease, dirt, and grime without the need for chemicals, making it perfect for homes with children or pets.
Ready to use in just four minutes, this steam cleaner excelled at removing stubborn grease from ovens and refreshing upholstered furniture and hard flooring. The two-tank system ensures continuous cleaning, while its built-in storage makes accessory organisation simple.
It includes a microfibre floor cloth and a set of versatile nozzles to suit any task. The innovative EasyFix system allows for mess-free cloth changes using its lamella technology, while the descaling filter keeps the cleaner operating at peak performance.
Buy now £279.99, Amazon
Henry Wash
Who doesn’t adore a Henry Hoover? Proudly designed and made right here in the UK, Henry the cheeriest of vacuums has returned, only this time, he’s made for fabrics as well as floors.
Henry Wash revives and refreshes carpets and upholstery for a clean, hygienic, and fresh-smelling home all while looking iconic in your hallway. Just a glimpse of Henry never ceases to make us smile.
There’s no job too big or too small for this blue version of Henry; be it reviving carpets, refreshing the sofa, cleaning out the car, or sucking up spills. Surprisingly, you can even unblock the sink with this model too if the need arises. Our hero.
Buy now £249.00, Currys
Verdict
The Vax Platinum Smart Wash Carpet Cleaner is one of the most powerful carpet cleaners we’ve tested, and despite being one of the pricier models, it definitely earns its keep. What I love most about it is how effortlessly it tackles even the most stubborn dirt and bacteria hidden deep within carpets.
With its motion sense technology, you don't have to worry about going over the same area repeatedly. It automatically switches between washing and drying as you move the cleaner forward and back. Plus, there’s no need to worry about dispensing too much or too little solution, thanks to its triggerless design.
The cherry on top is the handheld Spinscrub tool. This smaller brush head makes it super easy to clean tricky spots like stairs, lifting dirt and stains without the fuss. Overall, if you’ve got old carpets or upholstery that need some serious attention, the Platinum Smart Wash is definitely up to the task.
