Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner Vs. Zep Carpet Cleaner: Which Is Better?

Upgraded Home Team
by Upgraded Home Team

If you have kids, pets, or a spouse, you’ve probably discovered Zep’s Foaming Wall Cleaner or Instant Carpet & Upholstery Spot Removal products. People swear by both of these products, and claim that they’ve removed stains they thought it was completely impossible to get rid of! So between the two, which is better?

It’s obvious that each product has a completely different purpose. However, in this guide, we’ll be discussing the similarities between the two.

Zep created both of these products to deeply penetrate traditionally tough to clean surfaces in order to remove stains, scuffs, dirt, or grease without damaging the surface. Additionally, both products extend the lifetime of the surface they’re used to clean. While one is not better than the other, one is better for certain uses than the other. We will cover those uses in this article.

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History Of Zep And Its Creation

Zep, the creator, and manufacturer of both of these products has been distributing cleaning products since 1937. Since then, Zep has expanded its portfolio to include products in the retail, food & beverage, and vehicle care industries.

Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner and Instant Carpet & Upholstery Spot Removal products are just two of many cleaning products Zep offers. Popular products produced by Zep include the Neutral pH Floor Cleaner product and the Alcohol Gel Instant Hand Sanitizer.

Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner

You can find Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner at home improvement stores including Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply Co., ACE Hardware or online through Amazon. Depending on the store, it retails at around $20 for an 18 oz unit. Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner is commonly sold in 2-packs.

To use Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner, don the appropriate PPE (a mask, goggles, and gloves are recommended) and test the product on an inconspicuous part of your wall. If you feel comfortable with the test results, spray the product on the stain in question. The product consists of a thick foam that should stay on the spot without dripping.

Once you spray the foam on the wall, let it penetrate the surface for a second or two. Then, wipe it off with a paper towel. Voila! Using Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner is that easy.

What Stains Can I Use Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner For?

According to Zep’s website, the product successfully removes scuffs, fingerprints, grease, food, ink, marker, rubber, lipstick, and crayons. However, customers use Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner to remove nicotine stains from walls, rust off of bathtubs, pawprint marks from the haphazard cat or dog, and much more.

Basically, Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner penetrates the surface of the wall to remove any stain with dirt, grease, or oil base. However, the product has worked in the past to remove stains far beyond dirt, grease, or oil.

Zep Instant Carpet & Upholstery Spot Remover

Just like Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner, Zep Instant Carpeting & Upholstery Spot Remover is sold at major home improvement stores as well as online. It retails for around $13 for one 19 oz can.

Also similar to Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner, don all of your PPE and spray the Carpet & Upholstery Spot Remover on the spot you’re trying to remove. Then, using a paper towel, blot the thick foam out of the carpet… I repeat blot, don’t rub! Rubbing the carpet might cause the stain to spread.

What Stains Can I Use Zep Instant Carpet & Upholstery Spot Remover On?

According to Zep’s website, the product eliminates staining from pets, food, drinks, dirt, grease, and oil.

However, customers online say they use the product for much more. Reviews indicate that the product eliminates carpet stains from blood, red wine, soda, pet accidents, and various “mystery stains.” Many reviewers mentioned that this product effectively removes tough staining out of car seats in particular.

Although the product is called a “Carpet & Upholstery Spot Remover,” customers use the product on area rugs and floor mats as well. Zep recommends using this product as a spot treatment product, not to deep clean the entire carpet. If you’re looking for a product to deep clean your carpeting, Zep’s Carpet Shampoo might do the trick.

Similarities Between The Two Products

It’s obvious that Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner and Zep Instant Carpet & Upholstery Spot Remover are two different products used to remove tough stains on two different surfaces. However, the uniting factor between the two is that they’re both handy to have around the house if you’re prone to tough stains.

Furthermore, both products extend the lifespan of either walls or carpeting. Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner removes the dirt, grime, and stains on your wall, extending the lifetime of your paint job. Similarly, Zep Instant Carpet & Upholstery Spot Remover extends the life of your carpeting by removing spots, stains, and dirt before they become a problem.

Additionally, customers apply both products in the same way and wear the same PPE (masks, gloves, and goggles). So, while the products both have very different uses, they are very similar in the way that they’re applied. One is not better than the other when it comes to application.

Which Product Is The Best Between The Two?

Between the Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner and the Zep Instant Carpet & Upholstery Spot remover, both of these are great for different projects. For instance, if you want something that’s going to be fast-acting and tough on stains, then you’ll want to use the spot remover. If you’re looking for a thorough deep clean, you’ll want the foaming wall cleaner.

So, while one product is not better than the other, you’ll want to choose one over the other depending on what it is that you’re trying to achieve. That being said, you wouldn’t want the wall cleaner for removing a stain quickly from your couch, or the spot cleaner to clean your entire wall.

Zep Products Are Safe To Use

Zep as a company has a wonderful reputation because their products are safe and effective, and their sourcing, manufacturing process and development is heavily regulated. They know what they put into their products, and the ingredients they choose have been proven to be the most effective, and safe across the market.

Non-Toxic

Zep also creates products that have no carcinogens in them. That means, there are no potential cancer-causing agents in their solutions. moreover, they are classified as RCRA non-hazardous. The ingredients are non-toxic and do not have any chlorinated solvents.

You could use Zep Green Link Multi Clean to clean other surfaces throughout your home as well such as:

  • Vents
  • Mirrors
  • Counters
  • Ovens
  • Grills
  • Machinery
  • Floors
  • Walls

So, they do make more products than just the floor or wall cleaner.

Eco-Friendly

These products are also environmentally friendly and biodegradable. They contain no APEs, and the material is borne down into water, minerals, and carbon dioxide. However, this depends on the product you are using so check the label if this is something that you’re concerned about.


Related Questions

How do I make my carpet last for a long time?

Have you just invested in a good quality carpet that you want to last? We’ve all been there. To make your carpet last longer, be sure to integrate a frequent vacuuming regimen into your routine. This will cut down on dirt penetration.Additionally, deep cleaning your carpets once a year removes deep staining and dirt penetration not seen from the surface.Setting up a mudroom or “clean-up station” by the entryways of your house can also be helpful. This establishes that one cannot wear shoes inside. Not wearing shoes inside substantially decreases the amount of dirt trapped in the carpet.


Do I have to clean my walls before painting them?

Yes, always clean your walls before painting. This is to make sure that the paint sticks to your walls properly and evenly. For walls with no visible dirt or staining, a mixture of soap and water should do the trick. However, if visible staining is present, use a wall cleaner or other form of the grease-cutting product.Once you’ve cleaned your walls, let them dry before starting the painting process. If you don’t allow your walls the proper time to dry, the paint won’t stick to your walls effectively either.


What tools do I need to wash my walls?

Washing your walls helps your house look nicer and aids in extending the life of your paint job. To clean your walls, you need the following items: a broom, towel, vacuum, soapy water, wall cleaning spray, and a drop cloth.

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Our Final Thoughts

If you’ve invested in a quality carpet, want your security deposit back, or simply want to keep your home tidy and presentable, Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner and Zep Instant Carpet & Upholstery Spot Remover products are handy to keep around.

Customers rave about each product tackling stains that comparable products have not been able to remove. Users advise keeping Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner and Zep Instant Carpet & Upholstery Spot Remover products in your supply closet.

You never know when you’re going to need a wall or stain remover product on hand. That being said, perhaps it’s a great idea to buy both products so that you have them on hand when you need them since their uses are different. However, it’s up to you!

Upgraded Home Team
Upgraded Home Team

We are a team of passionate homeowners, home improvement pros, and DIY enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and more with other homeowners! Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help.

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