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A pet accident or a spilled coffee shouldn’t mean renting a big machine. A portable carpet cleaner (also called a spot cleaner) sprays water and cleaner into the fabric, then sucks the dirty water back out. They’re great for rugs, stairs, couches, mattresses and car seats.
Quick picks
- Best overall: Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner
- Best for big messes and lots of pets: Bissell SpotClean Professional
- Best cordless, for cars and quick spots: Bissell Little Green Mini Cordless
How we picked
We compared the most popular spot cleaners sold on Amazon.ca by tank size, cord or battery, tools in the box, and what thousands of buyers say in their reviews, including the complaints. We haven’t used these ourselves yet. If that changes, we’ll say so here.
1. Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner: best overall
This is the one most people start with, and for good reason. It’s small enough to carry up the stairs, has a plug-in cord so it never runs out of power mid-stain, and comes with a stain tool for carpets and couches. Buyers mostly use it for pet accidents, kid spills and couch cushions.
Good to know:
- Simple to use: fill, spray, suck up, rinse
- Light and compact, so it’s easy to store
- Downside: the tank is small, so bigger jobs mean a few trips to the sink
Skip it if: you have several pets or lots of carpet. Go for the SpotClean Professional instead.
2. Bissell SpotClean Professional: best for big messes and lots of pets
The SpotClean Professional is a step up from the Little Green. It has bigger tanks, a stronger motor and a 5-foot hose, so you can do a whole staircase or a large rug without stopping to refill as often. It comes with a stain brush, a stair tool and a rinse tool for cleaning the hose. It’s a common pick for homes with more than one pet.
Good to know:
- Bigger tanks than the Little Green, so fewer refills
- Comes with tools for stairs and upholstery
- Downside: bulkier and heavier to carry around and store
Skip it if: you only deal with the odd small spill. The Little Green is cheaper and easier to store.
3. Bissell Little Green Mini Cordless: best for cars and quick spots
No cord means you can take it straight out to the car or grab it the second the dog has an accident. It includes a stain tool and a self-rinse tool for cleaning the hose afterwards. Buyers like it for car seats, small rugs and fast touch-ups.
Good to know:
- Cordless and light, so no hunting for an outlet
- Self-rinse tool makes clean-up easier
- Downsides: the smallest tank here, and the battery won’t last through big jobs
Skip it if: you mostly clean stairs or large rugs. A corded model keeps going longer.
4. Hoover CleanSlate Plus: best if you hate cleaning the cleaner
Hoover’s spot cleaner has a self-cleaning cycle that rinses the hose for you, which is the part of spot cleaning most people dislike. It’s a popular alternative to the Bissell models for pet stains on carpet and furniture.
Good to know:
- Self-cleaning hose cycle cuts down on smells
- Compact enough for a closet shelf
- Downside: replacement cleaning formula and parts can be harder to find in Canadian stores than Bissell’s
Skip it if: you want the most common model with the most support. Stick with Bissell.
Side by side
| Cleaner | Best for | Power | Tank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bissell Little Green | Everyday spills, couches | Corded | Small |
| Bissell SpotClean Professional | Stairs, big rugs, many pets | Corded | Large |
| Bissell Little Green Mini Cordless | Cars, quick spots | Battery | Smallest |
| Hoover CleanSlate Plus | Pet stains, easy clean-up | Corded | Small |
What to look for
- Corded or cordless: corded never runs out. Cordless is handier for cars.
- Tank size: bigger tanks mean fewer trips to the sink on stairs and rugs.
- Hose and tools: a longer hose and a stain tool make couches and stairs much easier.
- Easy clean-up: a self-rinse tool or cycle stops the hose from getting smelly.
Questions people ask
Do portable carpet cleaners really get out pet stains?
They work best on fresh stains. Blot up what you can first, then spray and suck up a few times. Old stains may need more than one go.
Can I use them on my couch?
Yes, on most fabric couches. Check the tag first: a “W” or “W/S” code means water is OK. Test a hidden spot before you start.
Do I have to use the brand’s cleaning formula?
Makers recommend their own formula, and some say other cleaners can affect the warranty. Plain warm water works for light jobs.
Bottom line
For most homes, the Bissell Little Green is the easy choice. If you have lots of carpet or several pets, the SpotClean Professional is worth the extra space. For the car, go with the Little Green Mini Cordless.
