3 best portable carpet steamer

A portable carpet steamer, also known as a portable carpet cleaner or carpet cleaning machine, is a household appliance designed to clean carpets and upholstery efficiently. These devices are commonly used for deep cleaning, spot cleaning, and maintaining the cleanliness of carpets and furniture. Here's what you need to know about portable carpet steamers:

  1. Functionality:

    • Portable carpet steamers use hot water and cleaning solution to clean and sanitize carpets and upholstery.
    • They typically have a water tank to hold clean water and a separate tank for dirty water.
    • A heating element heats the water, creating steam, which is then injected into the carpet or upholstery to break down dirt, stains, and odors.
    • The built-in brushes or nozzles agitate the fibers, and the machine simultaneously extracts the dirty water, leaving the surfaces cleaner and fresher.
  2. Key Features:

    • Suction Power: A strong suction system ensures effective water and dirt extraction.
    • Attachments: Portable carpet steamers often come with various attachments for different cleaning tasks, such as crevice tools, upholstery brushes, and stair attachments.
    • Tank Capacity: The size of the clean water and dirty water tanks can vary, affecting the cleaning capacity and convenience of the machine.
    • Cord Length: Longer power cords provide greater mobility and convenience during cleaning.
    • Hose Length: Longer hoses are helpful for cleaning upholstery and reaching tight spaces.
    • Heat Settings: Some models offer adjustable heat settings to accommodate different types of carpets and stains.
    • Compact Design: Portability is a significant advantage of these machines, so they are designed to be relatively lightweight and easy to maneuver.
  3. Usage:

    • Portable carpet steamers are suitable for both routine maintenance and tackling stubborn stains or spills.
    • They can be used on various surfaces, including carpets, area rugs, upholstery, and even car interiors.
    • It's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations for cleaning solutions to avoid damaging your carpets or upholstery.
  4. Maintenance:

    • Regular maintenance is essential to keep the machine in good working condition.
    • This includes emptying and cleaning the dirty water tank, rinsing the hoses and nozzles, and periodically descaling the heating element if required.
    • Ensuring that the machine is thoroughly dry before storage is crucial to prevent mold or mildew growth.
  5. Benefits:

    • Portable carpet steamers provide a deep and thorough clean, removing dirt, allergens, and odors from carpets and upholstery.
    • They are convenient for quick spot cleaning and addressing spills as they happen.
    • Regular use can extend the life of your carpets and furniture by keeping them in good condition.

In summary, portable carpet steamers are versatile and handy tools for maintaining clean and fresh carpets, upholstery, and other fabric surfaces in your home.When used properly and with the right cleaning solutions, they can be highly effective in removing stains and dirt, contributing to a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing living environment.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best portable carpet steamer on the market
  

Bissell Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, 1400B, Green

Bissell

Based on 16 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Compact Deep Cleaner

Strong spray and suction contains at least 50% recycled plastic. 3 inch stain tool helps you scrub stains away.





Dimensions: 13.8 lbs Check for suction at the back of the unit after removing the hose where it attaches to the back of the unit. If there IS suction at the back of the machine with the hose removed, follow these steps: Unplug the unit from the outlet. Check the Pre- and Post-Motor filters for debris. Dirty filters can restrict airflow. The Pre-Motor Foam Filter is square. You can find it in a pull-out tray under the Dirt Tank. The Foam Filter may be hand washed in cold water with mild detergent. Reinstall the filter when it’s completely dry. The Multi-Layer Post-Motor Filter is rectangular. It can be found on the side of the machine. Note: The white Multi-Layer Post Motor Filter isn’t washable. Make sure the dirt tank is empty. Check the upper tank for build-up or clogs. If it needs to be cleaned, use a short, Phillips-head screwdriver and take off the separator plate with a cloth (can be dampened with water or mild detergent). Replace dirt tank. Check for good suction at the end of the upholstery hose. If there’s good suction, make sure the hose is connected firmly to the lower hose on the back of the vacuum. If there’s no suction, check the hose for splits, cracks, or clogs. Make sure the Brush Roll is rotating. If it isn’t, take the access plate off and examine the brush and belt for damage. The access panel can be taken off by lifting the four tabs on the bottom of your machine. Clearing clogs detach the Upper Hose from the machine. Insert a broomstick into the hose to push any obstruction through. Remove the screw from the left side of the lower hose on the back of the unit. Straighten this section of hose by pulling it down or laying the unit on its side with the lower hose towards the top side. Look through the hose for any obstruction. Use a broomstick to unclog the hose. Power source - corded. Power rating: 3 amps.

  • Buy Bissell, save pets; Bissell donates up to 10 dollars to the Bissell pet foundation for every pet product purchase, upon activation
  • Tackles tough spots and stains with strong spray and powerful suction
  • Take on small and large cleanups with this compact carpet cleaner
  • Removable water tanks for easy filling and emptying; Tank capacity 48 ounce
  • Use the hydro rinse tool attachment to easily clean out the hose after each use
  • Clean set in stains with the trial size spot & stain formula and 3" tough stain tool

User questions & answers

Question: How can I clean the suction brush head
Answer: The brush head detaches from the hose. I clean it by running extremely hot water through it. You could even soak it in a warm water bath if needed. If there is a hair stuck inside the plastic portion, you can use an unbent page clip to dig it out.
Question: could you use this to clean car upholstery seats
Answer: Yes you could, yelyah - this cleaner is designed for carpet and upholstery!
Question: Has anyone taken the suction head apart for cleaning the fuzz that gets stuck along the side
Answer: I have a spot-bot as well as a Bissell upright (about to buy this little green one) - and I use a zip tie - the kind you can use for bundling wires - very long and flexible - as long as the fuzz inside the suction head is still wet, a zip tie works really well for me!!
Question: What am I doing wrong? My sprayer doesn't work. I just tried my little green for the first time. I tried pumping the trigger, then tried holding it for a time. help! I am hoping it's not defective and is just operator error. Thanks
Answer: Sorry to tell you this - I've had my first machine for yr and it worked fine until it would no longer spray- since it was old I thought some part must have worn out - and since it had given me many yrs of great service - I just went out and bought another one - I have had this new one for just about a yr and now the same problem is happening to this one - I've given up and use a spray bottle to apply solution and the machine to pick up the residue - I'll have to be in touch with the company - but this does seem like it could be a chronic problem.

Product features

Why choose a portable spot cleaner?

These machines remove deep-down dirt, spots, and stains quickly and more effectively because the powerful suction lifts and removes them for good.

Why is it better?

Spot cleaners combine warm water, a targeted cleaning formula, and powerful suction to get deep down to the exact spot that needs it.

Are upright or portable deep cleaners better?

Uprights are better suited for large areas and whole rooms, while portable spot cleaners specialize in stairs, area rugs, upholstery, auto interiors, and more.

Clean Multiple Surfaces

Clean carpet, upholstery, stairs, area rugs, auto interiors, and more.

Easy to Use

Easy to carry and clean with a lightweight design and tanks that are easy to fill and empty.

Easy to Store

Small and compact so it can be stored easily in cabinets.

Tough Stain Tool

The 3" tough stain tool helps you clean hard-to-reach areas.

Easy-Empty Water Tanks

Removable water tanks for easy filling and emptying.

Cleaning Formula

Trial size Spot & Stain with Febreze is specially designed to loosen and remove stains and soils.

BISSELL SpotClean ProHeat Portable Spot and Stain Carpet Cleaner, 2694, Blue

Bissell

Based on 7 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Permanently remove tough spots and stains with the Bissell Spot Clean Preheats and Bissell Professional Spot and Stain + Oxy formula. The built-in Heatwave Technology helps maintain consistent water temperature. It's a powerful, compact, portable cleaning machine.

  • Tank capacity 37 ounce; Heatwave technology maintains consistent water temperature while cleaning
  • 3 inch tough stain tool for cleaning stairs, upholstery and hard to reach places
  • Deep reach tool removes embedded dirt and stains from the bottom up; Dirt tank capacity
  • Self cleaning tool makes cleaning out the machine a breeze
  • Removable water tanks for easy filling and emptying

User questions & answers

Question: Can this be used on couches marked with an “S
Answer: I use it on my couch and it lifts all the stains! We have toddlers so we use it every week!
Question: Is this like A carpet shampooer and steam dry
Answer: No it's like a mini steam cleaner when you don't want to drag out the big steam cleaner. this little machine is amazing. have a spot you want to clean? It gets the job done in spades!!
Question: Does this work on a headliner of a car? Would basically have to work upside down
Answer: I would never shampoo a headliner in a car because the glue comes loose and the headliner will hang down, use a barely damp lint free cloth to blot the headliner and it will be fine.
Question: Suction power amp
Answer: Suction, yes suction is created Power, 120 volts Amperage a little over two Your ability to ask a coherent question- ZERO

Product features

Why should I use a portable carpet cleaner?

It’s the convenience! Take many of the features of a full-size carpet cleaner to hard-to-reach places around your home. These machines can remove smaller deep-down spots and stains quickly and on the go, meaning you don’t have to break out your full-size carpet cleaner every time.

Why are carpet cleaners better than a spray or foam?

Carpet cleaners use a combination of warm water, special cleaning formulas and powerful suction to get deep down, below the surface of a spot or stain, where sprays and foams can’t reach. Carpet cleaners are also more effective in removing stains for good, whereas with sprays and foams, there’s a possibility the stain may re-appear.

Are full-size, upright or portable carpet cleaners better?

Both have their benefits – it just depends what part of your home you need to clean. Portable carpet cleaners are excellent for stairs, area rugs,

upholstery, auto interiors, and other smaller spaces, while full-size, upright carpet cleaners are best for large areas like whole rooms.

Cleans Multiple Surfaces

Easily clean carpet, upholstery, stairs, area rugs, auto interiors, and more.

Take On Tough Stains

BISSELL SpotClean ProHeat permanently removes tough spots and stains.*

*When used with BISSELL Professional Spot & Stain + Oxy formula.

Easy to Use

With a portable, lightweight design with tanks that are easy to fill and empty.

Easy to Store

Compact design makes it easy to store in the closet or even under the sink.

Heatwave Technology

Heatwave Technology helps maintain water temperature during the cleaning process. Just add hot tap water!

Deep Stain Tool

Dispenses formula deep into carpets to remove tough, set-in stains.

Tough Stain Tool

Quickly cleans up a variety of messes.

HydroRinse Self-Cleaning Hose Tool

Rinses the hose after use to remove built-up, pet hair and lingering odor.

Bissell 3624 Spot Clean Professional Portable Carpet Cleaner - Corded

Bissell

Based on 17 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The Bissell SpotClean Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner is our most powerful spot and stain cleaner. It uses a combination of superior suction, scrubbing action and specially formulated Bissell cleaning solutions to remove spots, stubborn stains and embedded dirt. This compact, 13-pound machine is easy to take to hard-to-reach areas, so you can remove spot and stains from carpets, area rugs, stairs, upholstery, auto interiors, and similar soft surfaces. It comes with a 6" Stair Tool, 3" Tough Stain Tool and a trial-size bottle of our Pro Max Clean + Protect formula to permanently remove tough pet stains. And it doesn't just clean up after pets, this machine helps save them, too! Bissell proudly supports Bissell Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets. When you buy a Bissell product, you help save pets too. We’re proud to design products that help make pet messes, odors and pet homelessness disappear.

  • Every Bissell purchase helps save pets. Bissell proudly supports Bissell pet foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
  • Our most powerful portable spot and stain cleaner for carpets, stairs, upholstery, auto interiors, and more.
  • Combines superior suction, scrubbing action and professional cleaning solution to remove stubborn pet stains, embedded dirt and more.
  • Provides a deep clean that leaves you with professional-style results.
  • Permanently removes tough messes and protects from future stains with the power of stain protect.
  • Includes a 6" Stair Tool, which makes cleaning stairs easy. Also comes with a 3" Tough Stain Tool and a trial-size bottle of Pro Max clean + protect formula.

Product features

Tackle Stains & Dirt on Upholstery

Our most powerful formula for tough, ground-in dirt and stains. Contains StainProtect to add protection each time you clean.

Superior Suction Powers Through Tough Pet Messes

Large Capacity Tank

Holds 3/4 gallons so you can go further between refills.

PRO MAX Clean + Protect

Trial-size bottle of our most powerful formula for tough, ground-in dirt and stains.

3" Tough Stain Tool

Scrubs and suctions away tough pet stains on carpet, upholstery and auto interiors.

6" Stair Tool

Wide clean path designed to make cleaning stairs easy.

Every Purchase Saves Pets

BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets. When you buy a BISSELL product, you help save pets, too.

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