cleaning awards

This “Absolute Gem” Made My Old Rugs Look New in Minutes (It’s Unbelievably Easy to Use!)

Charli PennEditor-in-Chief, Apartment Therapy
Charli PennEditor-in-Chief, Apartment Therapy
Hi! I’m Charli and I'm the editor-in-chief of Apartment Therapy. I’m an award-winning editor and writer who has previously worked at ESSENCE, The Knot, Entertainment Weekly, and GLAMOUR. I live for all things gold accents and hosting.
updated Apr 11, 2025
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Carpet before being cleaned.
Credit: Charli Penn

If you’re like me and love the cozy charm that area rugs bring to your home, you know how tricky they can be to clean. Regular vacuuming and spot cleaning help, but sometimes a deeper clean is needed to revive them. Enter the Tineco Carpet One Cruiser, an absolute gem for tackling carpets and area rugs. After using it on every rug in my home, here’s why I’m sold — and why you might be, too.

What Is the Tineco Carpet One Cruiser?

The Tineco Carpet One Cruiser is a carpet cleaner machine that delivers professional-level cleaning — washing and drying your soft surfaces! It has built-in sensors that enable smart motion detection (so you don’t struggle with pulling or pushing it), powerful suction for deep cleaning, efficient drying technology (reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit), and a self-cleaning system.

Why I Love the Tineco Carpet One Cruiser

Here’s why I recommend the Tineco Carpet One Cruiser.

Credit: Charli Penn

It makes cleaning practically effortless.

What immediately stood out when I used the corded Tineco Carpet One Cruiser for the first time is how lightweight and easy to use this cleaner is. It practically runs itself and effortlessly glides across a low- to medium-pile rug with minimal effort. As someone who occasionally struggles with lower back pain, this feature alone makes it a winner for me. The smart motion detection, powered by Tineco’s SmoothPower technology, ensures pushing and pulling feel effortless. It’s not just lightweight but powerful, delivering excellent cleaning results with surprisingly little water.

Setting up the cleaner takes just minutes, and the cleaning process is just as quick. One of my favorite features is the pretreatment spray for tackling stubborn stains. Simply spray the solution on the stain, let it sit for five minutes, and the Cruiser takes care of the rest. The built-in sensors detect how much power is needed for each rug, and automatically adjust suction and water based on how dirty the rug is, so it never feels like it’s overworking.

After a single session, I noticed my rugs looked almost new — gone was the dull, dusty look I’d thought was the norm. Seeing the filthy water tank afterward was both shocking and satisfying. Even though I regularly vacuum and spot-clean, the Cruiser found dirt I didn’t know was there. It’s especially effective if you’re a pet owner like me. The brush roller excels at picking up stubborn pet hair, leaving the rug spotless.

Credit: Charli Penn

It’s very fast drying with an impressive drying mode.

A standout feature on this cleaner is the PowerDry mode, which uses 167°F of heated air to speed up your post-cleaning drying time. if you’ve ever wound up with soggy socks after stepping on a rug or carpet that’s nowhere near dry, you know just what an added bonus this could be. After I cleaned my 8×10 dining room rug, it was dry in under 30 minutes — a game-changer if you’re prepping for company or need your rugs back in action quickly. I also used the handheld attachment to clean my carpeted stairs, and the results were equally impressive. The attachment is perfect for upholstery, too, making this cleaner versatile beyond rugs.

Credit: Charli Penn

It cleans your carpets and rugs and then cleans itself.

One of my biggest frustrations with carpet cleaners is typically having to clean them afterward. The Cruiser solves this with its FlashDry self-cleaning system. After each use, it deep cleans the brush roller, suction inlet, and cover with just the press of a button. Heated air dries everything to prevent odors or mildew, ensuring it’s clean and ready for storage. The clear voice instructions guide you through the process, so there’s zero guesswork involved.

It’s great for everyday maintenance and deep cleaning.

The Tineco Carpet One Cruiser has completely changed how I approach cleaning area rugs in my home. From its lightweight design to its fast-drying capabilities and self-cleaning feature, it’s a powerful tool to have handy around the house that takes all the fuss out of an annoying household chore. Whether you’re looking to revive older rugs — like I was — or keep newer ones in good condition, this cleaner delivers.

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