Bissell is one of the most popular brands of carpet cleaners on the market today. From upright deep carpet cleaners to portable spot cleaners, Bissell offers a variety of models to meet any household’s needs.
With this wide range of products, many Bissell owners wonder what types of cleaning solutions and formulas they can safely use in their carpet cleaner.
The good news is that while Bissell’s own branded cleaning solutions are recommended, there are also some effective DIY options that can be used in many Bissell carpet cleaner machines. Read on to find out in this article.
Types of Bissell Carpet Cleaners
There are three main types of carpet cleaners made by Bissell:
Upright Carpet Cleaners
Upright carpet cleaners are designed to deeply clean large areas of carpet. They have large tanks that hold clean water and dirt water, as well as strong suction to pull up deep dirt.
The water tanks on upright carpet cleaners can hold anywhere from 1 to 8 gallons of water, ensuring you can clean a large area without having to stop to refill the tanks frequently.
Portable Carpet Cleaners
Portable carpet cleaners are lightweight and smaller in size. They are ideal for cleaning stairs, upholstery, vehicle interiors, and hard-to-reach spots.
The water tanks are smaller than a full-size upright model, usually around 1 gallon capacity. Portable cleaners are great for tackling localized messes and jobs where you need to carry the cleaner to the area being cleaned.
Spot Cleaners
As the name suggests, spot cleaners are designed to clean localized spots and spills on carpets and upholstery. They have very compact sizes, weighing 5 pounds or less.
The small but powerful units use just ounces of solution at a time to target stains. Spot cleaners are meant only for small jobs rather than whole rooms.
Their portability and ease of use makes them ideal for hard-to-reach spots like car seats or furniture.
Read: Can I Use Pine-Sol in My Bissell CrossWave?
What Can Be Used in Different Bissell Carpet Cleaners
The cleaning solutions that can be used depend partially on what type of Bissell carpet cleaner you have.
Upright Carpet Cleaners
Upright Bissell carpet cleaners are designed to use Bissell’s own deep cleaning formulas. These solutions are specifically engineered to work with the suction and internal components of the upright machines.
That said, many homeowners have success diluting gentle liquid dish soap or using DIY cleaning solutions. Concentrated white vinegar can also be effective when mixed properly – usually a 50/50 ratio of vinegar to water.
Portable Carpet Cleaners
Like upright models, portable Bissell carpet cleaners also use Bissell’s specialized portable cleaning solutions.
Again, because portable cleaner tanks are smaller, getting the solution concentration right is key. Some DIY cleaning shampoos and soaps can be substituted if diluted correctly.
White distilled vinegar mixed with water in a 1:3 ratio works as a DIY rinse agent in portable units.
Spot Cleaners
For spot cleaners, it is best to use Bissell’s branded spot cleaner solutions. Because spot cleaners use only a small amount of liquid directly sprayed on the spot or stain, mixing DIY solutions of the proper concentrate and consistency can be tricky.
However, in a pinch, a very mild dish soap and water mix – about 1 teaspoon soap to 1 cup water – can clean spots adequately.
DIY Cleaning Solution Recipes
Here are some examples of effective DIY cleaning solutions that can be used in Bissell carpet cleaners:
Basic DIY Carpet Shampoo
- 1/4 cup liquid dish soap (clear/unscented)
- 1/4 cup washing soda
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 2 gallons hot water
Mix all ingredients together thoroughly in a bucket. Use in full-sized upright carpet cleaner. The washing soda helps lift dirt while the vinegar disinfects.
DIY Spot Cleaner
- 1 tablespoon gentle laundry detergent (non-bleach)
- 2 cups warm water
Stir detergent into the warm water until fully dissolved. Use small amounts of this solution for spot cleaning only. The detergent helps cut through greasy spots.
DIY Pet Stain Remover
- 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide (3% solution)
- 1 teaspoon clear liquid dish soap
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 cup warm water
Mix all ingredients together thoroughly in a spray bottle. Spray directly on pet urine stains and let sit for 5-10 minutes before extracting with your carpet cleaner. The peroxide fizzes and lifts the urine odor while the soap cuts through stains.
All-Purpose DIY Carpet Cleaner
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 5-10 drops essential oil (optional for scent)
- 1 gallon warm water
Mix ingredients together in an upright carpet cleaner tank. The vinegar and baking soda work together to clean and deodorize carpet fibers. Essential oil adds natural fragrance.
Tips for Using DIY Solutions
When using homemade concoctions in your Bissell, keep these tips in mind:
- Always test any DIY solution on a small, hidden area of carpet first to ensure colorfastness. Check for any discoloration or carpet fiber damage before cleaning visible areas.
- Carefully follow recipes and do not exceed recommended amounts of ingredients. Overdiluting cleaners can lead to poor cleaning results.
- Make sure to shake or stir DIY mixtures very thoroughly before pouring into the carpet cleaner. Granular ingredients like baking soda need to dissolve fully.
- Stick to mild dish soaps, white distilled vinegar, washing soda, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach.
- Only use essential oils for scent in very small amounts. Strong oils can damage carpet fibers and dyes.
- DIY solutions may require more passes over a stain or spot than commercial cleaners. Be prepared to go over areas a few times.
- Rinse with clear water after using DIY mixes to prevent residue buildup on carpet fibers.
Conclusion
While Bissell’s own cleaning solutions are specially formulated to work with their carpet cleaner machines, many standard DIY cleaners and soaps can also be used safely and effectively.
Make sure to use upright, portable, and spot cleaner solutions based on your specific Bissell model. And investing some time into DIY carpet cleaner solutions can save money and allow you to customize cleaning recipes for problem stains in your home.