Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner Review

One of my guilty pleasures is scrolling through Amazon’s bestsellers, and monitoring (read: often buying) the current trending products. Naturally, my binge-scrolling has introduced me to a number of incredible items, from portable fans that saved me in the summer, to indoor hydroponic gardens that have seriously elevated my cooking game. The Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner ($86, originally $124) is one of my best finds yet, and it’s now on sale for under $100.

If you’re a fellow Amazon browser, you’ve likely seen this bestselling machine bubble up on your own recommended results — and for good reason. The cleaner is designed to tackle even the toughest stains, and with nearly 62,000 five-star reviews on Amazon’s site, it remains a top seller. Shoppers like the little green machine for its practical and compact design, price point, and serious cleaning power.

Curious to see if the cleaner would live up to its bestselling title, I decided to purchase it myself. Read on for my little green carpet cleaner review, including how to use the machine, and whether or not it’s worth buying.

What I Liked About the Bissell Little Green Carpet Cleaner

As someone who lives in a smaller apartment space that requires me to clean it once (if not a few times) every week, I appreciate the portable and easy-to-use nature of this cleaner. The product is easy to assemble, as it comes mostly put together and simply requires that you join the actual cleaner with attachments like the flex hose storage bracket. Within a few minutes, you’re ready to put the cleaner to work.

How to Use the Bissell Little Green Carpet Cleaner

Per directions from the brand, it’s recommended that you start by vacuuming your carpet, rug, or desired surface before using the cleaner — that way you remove all the loose dirt in the area. After I finished vacuuming my space, I filled the product’s clean water tank with the Bissell spot and stain pre-treatment formula (which is included in purchase) all the way up to the “formula” line on the tank, then filled the rest with warm tap water. From there, I slid the water tank back into the machine and selected my preferred cleaning tool. Each Bissell cleaner comes with a variety of different sized tools for different types of cleaning. For example, there’s a heavy-duty pet stain tool for removing pet-related messes, whereas the three-inch and four-inch tools are better for day-to-day wear and tear.

I personally got the most use out of the three-inch and four-inch tools. They were easy to attach — I simply released the flex hose, plugged the product’s cord into an outlet, snapped the tool onto the end of the hose, and then switched the power button to “on.” I hovered the tool about one inch above the spot or stain I was looking to remove, then pressed down on the cleaner’s spray trigger. From there, the cleaner did its magic, and I gently scrubbed the stain with the spray trigger, moving in a back and forth motion until the entire area was well-coated.

Did the Bissell Little Green Carpet Cleaner Work?

I saw results within a few minutes, and I noticed that my upholstery looked visibly more vibrant and refreshed — particularly my vintage rugs and bath mats, which have a tendency to look pretty discolored and worn down. The aftercare was also incredibly easy — I simply unplugged the cleaner, emptied and rinsed the water tank, and let the tank air dry. The cleaner is compact enough to fit within the linen closet in my bathroom, so it’s easy to conceal when I’m not using it, and transport with ease when I’m prepared to use it again.

What’s Worth Noting

I haven’t had my Bissell portable cleaner for too long yet, so it’s difficult to rate how the model holds up after several months of use. However, I’ve combed through reviews from other shoppers who have had the cleaner for longer, and while there are relatively few complaints when it comes to this model, some have expressed disappointment with its durability and build. One shopper wrote that the scrubber wore down over time, saying, “The bristles are already worn out on the attachment it came with, and the spot where the hose has to connect within the water/solution container is very brittle.” Another reviewer noted that while they “like this deep cleaner,” they found the Bissell difficult to clean, writing: “It has a major design flaw in my opinion, which is that the tool cap doesn’t come off so you can’t adequately or completely clean it.”

Still, the majority of reviews are overwhelmingly positive, and my experience so far can speak to that. However, as with most things, it’s important to do your research prior to purchasing this cleaner to ensure it’s the best choice for you and your household.

Who Is the Bissell Little Green Carpet Cleaner Best For?

This bestselling cleaner is great for all types of households and messes, but especially homes with kids or pets (where dirt and spills are abundant). Unlike most traditional cleaners, this model is incredibly compact and easy to transport, making it ideal for families who constantly find themselves cleaning all corners of their household. It also holds a decent amount of water within its 48-ounce tank, so you can use the tool multiple times without having to empty out the dirtied water afterwards.

Additional Details

Rating:

★★★★☆

Kyley Warren is an award-winning writer, editor, and affiliate strategist with more than four years of experience in the publishing space. She currently works as an assistant editor on PS Shopping and is an expert on all things related to shopping and fashion. She previously worked with Entertainment Tonight as a style commerce writer, and her byline has appeared in publications globally.

Chandler Plante is an assistant editor for PS Health & Fitness. Previously, she worked as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributed to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group. In her free time, she overshares on the internet, creating content about chronic illness, beauty, and disability.