4 Best Portable Carpet Cleaner For a Spotless Home

Published by Hala Zaqqout on December 26, 2021 | Last updated on May 14, 2023

As the winter progresses, dirty slush started piling up, and mud seemed to be getting everywhere. My carpets have likely taken a hit from all the muddy and slushy boots that have walked through.

If you are thinking of cleaning your carpets after a muddy, wet winter but wondering what is the best portable carpet cleaner that can give the desired results.

We, at CleanersAdvisor, have prepared a detailed list of the best portable carpet cleaners, then a few tips to follow for using the portable carpet cleaner.

We’ve also made a piece on the best water filtration vacuums, providing the most effective cleaning you may be looking for.

Then we’ll go deeper in this article to compare vacuums and carpet cleaners that will help you decide which one should suit your job the most.

So if you’re on the lookout for the best portable carpet cleaner, you’ve come to the right place, check our list of Best Cordless Vacuums for Pet Hair, or continue reading our unbiased review to learn which best portable carpet cleaner to buy.

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Is Portable Carpet Cleaner Effective for Cleaning Carpets?  

Carpets are a magnet for dust and dirt. They’re a great place for hidden dirt and bacteria.

However, there’s no need to stress over a mess when you have a suitable cleaning tool for the job.

That’s where portable carpet cleaner comes in through wet spills and stains, equipped with onboard cleaning solution and a built-in spray at the nozzle to power.

Portability is a key design factor when looking for a handheld carpet cleaner that can handle stains and all of the hard-to-reach areas with vacuums.

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Why Choose a Portable Carpet Cleaner?

To keep your carpets clean and looking brand new, a portable carpet cleaner will help to remove dust mites, bacteria, and other allergens. It also helps for zapping smaller stains from your carpet.

A portable carpet cleaner is easy to carry and has a strong suction that gets rid of dirt and water. It is capable of tackling all of the hard-to-reach stains and spots found in your carpets. It is also easy to store in small places.

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Key Components of a Portable Carpet Cleaner

• Pump
• Vacuum
• Solution Tank
• Recovery Tanks
• Heating Unit
• Wet Cleaner
• Dry Cleaner
• Accessories
• Carpet Steamer

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Tips for Using a Portable Carpet Cleaner

1. Get furniture out of the way and try to clean your carpet during a time when it is less likely to be walked on while drying.

2. Follow instructions carefully. If you use too much cleaning solution may leave a soapy residue on your carpet, which will cause even more dirt and grime to stick to it.

3. Vacuum the carpet before using the carpet cleaner, and then apply a cleaning solution that can get grease and oils out, allowing for even more dirt to be extracted during the final cleaning.

4. Use caution while cleaning to avoid dropping your cleaner that can result in a messy spill if the tank accidentally opens.

5. Use heated water on stained and heavily soiled synthetics. Stains can be removed with a hot carpet cleaner.

6. Do not use heated water on natural fibers, like wool, which can shrink or suffer other kinds of damage at high temperatures.

7. Don’t allow stains to sit. The longer a stain is left, the more it settles. If you notice a mess, tackle it ASAP.

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How Do Portable Carpet Cleaners Work?

Carpet cleaners are commonly used devices to remove deeply embedded dirt, debris, and stains from carpets.

They have a chamber that holds clean water, cleaning solution, and dirty water that accumulates during use.

When the cleaner is turned on, clean water is injected into the carpet at a high speed.

The vacuum cleaner then works this into the carpet, sucking up the water and debris and storing it in the dirty water tank. Some units have components that heat the rinse water, whereas others do not.

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Difference between Vacuum and Carpet Cleaner

While vacuum cleaner is designed for removing loose debris from your carpets but eventually, you may notice dingy traffic areas or pet stains on your carpet that a vacuum can’t remove.

And here comes the carpet cleaner that is designed for deep carpet cleaning and can remove stains, bacteria, and long-term dirt.

It not only scrapes, but it also jostles dirt from your carpet threads and washes them in water. It doesn’t only scrape, but it also jostles dirt from your carpet threads and washes them in water.

But it’s recommended to use both to deep clean a carpet. You should first vacuum, then spray with a cleaning solution, and then use the carpet cleaner.

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How Often Should I Use Portable Carpet Cleaner?

Household Factors	Carpet Cleaner Frequency
Light Traffic	12 months
High Traffic	6-12 months
Pets	3-6 months
Children	6-12 months
Light-Colored	6 months
Family with Allergies	2-3 months
Smokers	3-6 months

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What to Look for in the Best Portable Carpet Cleaners?

Choosing a carpet cleaner is no easy task. Consider the options and features below to choose the right one

• Warranty
• Portability
• Brush Type
• Tank Capacity
• Power Rating
• Weight
• Corded vs Cordless
• Suction and Heat
• Attachments
• Set Your Expectations
• Storage
• Ease of Use
• Design
• Cleaning Path
• Stain Fighters

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Best Portable Carpet Cleaners by Features

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Bissel Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet Cleaner

Bissel Little Green Multi-Purpose Features

Lightweight

It’s lightweight at just under 12 pounds, making it easy to use anywhere.

Furthermore, it can be stored in small spaces and easily transported from one stain to the next.

Easy to use

The tank is completely removable and that makes it super easy to refill and clean.

More importantly, the full tank may be removed and emptied in the sink once you’re finished cleaning.

The handle also includes large buttons for switching between suction and spray.

Self-Cleaning

Bissel Little Green has a self-cleaning hose.

It is used to remove built-up pet hair and lingering odor. This forces the water back through, clearing it of clogs.

Powerful Cleaning

Bissel Little Green is designed to clean up both large and small messes and pick up tough stains from carpets.

It has powerful spray and suction capabilities that’ll remove even the toughest spots and stains.

Only for Small Areas

It works great on small areas and messes and picks up dirt and tough stains from carpets.

Bissel Little Green Multi-Purpose Verdict

This awesome Bissel Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner is great for pet stains and carpets. It has powerful spray and suction capabilities that’ll remove even the toughest spots and stains.

If you’re looking for a portable carpet cleaner you can rely on to clean tough carpet stains, then this Bissell model is the best choice.

However, if you’re struggling with fleas, then make sure to check the best vacuum for fleas list.

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Bissell SpotBot Portable Deep Cleaner

Bissel SpotBot Portable Deep Cleaner Features

Hands-Free

The SpotBot comes with spiral brushes that work swiftly on stains.

It has a hands-free, automated scrubber tool that gets rid of messes without getting your hands dirty.

Walk away and let the machine go to work!

Two Modes

It has two hands-free cleaning modes that can be changed depending on the type of stain you’re dealing with.

A quick clean, which is excellent for newer stains that haven’t had time to settle completely. And a deep clean, which is for older, deep-rooted stains.

Easy to Store

It has a unique design that makes it convenient to use and store in small areas when you need to clean up quick messes.

Excellent for Pet Mess

Pet owners will love this smart device!

The spiral brushes remove tough messes and dissolve deep pet stains and remove odors.

Uses More Water

The only downside of this cleaner is that dual brushes use a significant amount of water.

Bissel SpotBot Portable Deep Cleaner Verdict

This hands-free carpet cleaner will spray, brush, and suction out the smelliest odors and the toughest set-in stains from your carpet.

If you want your dirty carpets to be cleaned quickly, the Bissel SpotBot is the best choice!

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BLACK+DECKER Spillbuster Portable Carpet Cleaner

BLACK+DECKER Spillbuster Portable Carpet Cleaner Features

Suction Power

It has powerful suction and wide nozzle to pick up wet + chunky messes.

It can remove set-in stains as well as wet, chunky debris from the carpet.

Battery Indicator

It lets you know when it’s fully charged or and when it needs charging.

So you Know how much battery is left to complete the task.

Replaceable Scrub Brush

It helps lift set-in stains on carpet, rugs, and upholstery. You will be able to remove stains with less effort.

Luckily, it can be replaced when it wears out or breaks!

Easy to Clean Collection Bowl

The best part? It’s easy to clean the Spillbuster itself. The collection bowl, front nozzle, and tank are removable and dishwasher safe, so they won’t add another cleaning chore.

It fully opens for washing and drying.

Battery life

It has good suction but takes 4 hours to charge and then is good for maybe 5-10 minutes of use.

BLACK+DECKER Spillbuster Portable Carpet Cleaner Verdict

Black+ Decker’s Spillbuster with Powered Scrub Brush specializes in making short work of cleaning up gloppy stain-producing messes.

Wet or dry, old or new, if you want your dirty carpets to be cleaned quickly, this is a one-stop stain killer that will save you a ton of time — particularly if you have kids or pets who are prone to making a mess.

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4. Rug Doctor Portable Pet Spot Cleaner

Rug Doctor Portable Pet Spot Cleaner Features

Power

It has a lot of power that can remove excess water, odor, and dirt effectively.

You need to be able to lift a stain quickly and efficiently. Even deep-set stains should come out pretty quickly with the sustained power of the oscillating brush and the vacuum.

Power Rotary Scrubber

One of the amazing features of this spot cleaner is that it has a power rotary scrubber.

It can reach the deeper part of your carpet, attacking the accumulated stains and dirt underneath.

Separate Tanks

There’s no overlap between clean water and dirty water either. They prevent clean water from becoming dirty and full of gunk.

An additional benefit is that the split tanks enable you to use the machine for longer before a refill is needed.

That means you won’t have to pick up the whole machine to empty or refill, which could end in a huge mess.

Powerful Features

The powerful suction quickly removes excess water, odor, and dirt.

On top of this, you can add a carpet shampoo or stain remover to make the job faster and easier.

Cleaning Style

This machine isn’t going to clean your entire carpet either. It’s intended only for spot cleaning.

If you have to wash your entire carpet or a whole set of furniture, it’s going to take forever. This isn’t the machine for cleaning whole areas in your house.

Rug Doctor Portable Pet Spot Cleaner Verdict

The Rug Doctor does an amazing job in removing stains and spots from your carpet. It is only one of the few devices that have a motorized scrubbing brush that will do tedious scrubbing tasks for you.

Overall, it is a recommended tool for light to moderate cleaning tasks because of its high-powered suction.  

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Best Portable Carpet Cleaners FAQ

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To Wrap Up

Luckily, help is at hand! This article explains the best portable carpet cleaners with their features and downsides. The 4 best portable and spot carpet cleaners in 2022 are more affordable and durable than ever.

For crumbs and dusty footprints on your carpets, portable carpet cleaners are a quick and easy tool for dealing with a mess.

If you have any questions or comments, then please post them in the comments down below.