Sprays, scrubs and then pulls the dirty water back out, which is what separates it from every spray-and-blot product. A spot machine, not a carpet cleaner.
- Best for
- Pet accidents, upholstery, stairs and car interiors
- Key highlight
- Extracts the dirty water instead of leaving you to blot
- Stain removal4.8
- Suction4.6
- Tank size4.2
- Noise3.5
- Value4.7
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Most cleaning products loosen a stain and leave you to blot it. The Little Green does something different: it sprays cleaning solution into the fabric, you scrub, and then it sucks the dirty water back out. That last step is the whole point, and it is why a fifteen-year-old design is still on the best-seller lists.
What it actually does
Two tanks: clean solution goes in one, dirty water comes back into the other. The hose ends in a tool with a trigger and a clear head so you can see what is coming out of the fabric, which is either satisfying or horrifying depending on how long you have owned the sofa. Suction is strong enough to leave the fabric damp rather than wet, so it dries in a few hours rather than a day.
The 1400B has a 48 oz clean water tank, which is enough for a large sofa cushion or a car's front seats before refilling.
What it is good at
Pet accidents, spilt drinks, muddy paw prints on stair carpet, car seats and floor mats, high chairs, the pale armchair that seemed a good idea. It excels at anything where the mess is in the fabric rather than on it. Bissell says the brand has been tested against a hundred-plus common stains, and the ones we have thrown at it — coffee, red wine, dog — have come out with patience and two passes.
What it is not
It is not a carpet cleaner for a whole room. It is a spot machine with a short hose and a small tank; doing a full lounge carpet with it would take an afternoon and a dozen refills. For that you want a full-size upright cleaner. It is also loud, and the motor is the cheap-sounding part of the product.
Maintenance
The single most important habit: rinse the hose and tool after every use by running clean water through them. Dirty solution left to dry in the hose is what kills these machines, and it is the most common complaint you will read. Two minutes of rinsing buys years.
Should you buy it?
Buy it if you have pets, children, pale upholstery or a car you care about. Skip it if you actually need to clean whole carpets, or if you will not commit to rinsing it after use.
Key features
Spray and extract
Sprays solution, you scrub, then it vacuums the dirty water back out.
Two-tank system
Clean solution and recovered dirty water kept separate.
48 oz clean water tank
Enough for a large sofa cushion or a car's front seats.
Specialty tools
Included tools for upholstery and tight areas.
Clear tool head
Shows the dirt coming out so you know when to stop.
Compact body
Carries by a handle and stores in a cupboard.
Pros & cons
What we like
- Pulls dirt and liquid back out of the fabric
- 48 oz clean water tank covers a large cushion
- Works on upholstery, stairs, car seats and mats
- Clear tool head shows what is coming out
- Leaves fabric damp rather than soaked
- Small enough to store in a cupboard
What could be better
- Not practical for a whole carpet
- Loud motor
- Dies early if you do not rinse the hose after use
Specifications
Frequently asked questions
Not realistically. The hose is short and the tank is small; a full room would take an afternoon and many refills. It is designed for spots and upholstery.
A few hours in a ventilated room. The suction leaves fabric damp rather than wet, which is the main advantage over spray cleaners.
The machine is designed around it and the warranty assumes it. Plain water works for a rinse pass, but strong household detergents can foam badly and damage the motor.
Almost always because dirty solution was left to dry in the hose. Run clean water through the hose and tool after every use.
Yes, that is one of its best uses. Bring the car to the machine with an extension lead rather than the other way round.
Final verdict
Sprays, scrubs and then pulls the dirty water back out, which is what separates it from every spray-and-blot product. A spot machine, not a carpet cleaner.
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