Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner (Model 1400B) Review

Discover the Bissell Little Green 1400B: A portable cleaner tackling stains, pet messes, and upholstery with ease.

 

 

I've been using the Bissell Little Green 1400B for about six months now, and it's become my go-to tool for tackling everyday messes around the house and in the car. As someone with pets and kids, spills and stains are inevitable, and this portable cleaner has saved my carpets and furniture more times than I can count. Priced around $100-120 depending on where you shop, it's an affordable investment for anyone who wants a compact, easy-to-use spot cleaner without renting a bulky machine or calling professionals. Let me break down my experience in detail, covering setup, features, performance, pros, cons, and whether I'd recommend it.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links from Amazon Associates. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting!

Unboxing and Setup

Right out of the box, the Little Green 1400B is almost ready to go—it's lightweight at about 9 pounds and comes mostly assembled. The package includes the main unit, a 3-inch tough stain brush tool, a spraying crevice tool, a HydroRinse self-cleaning hose tool, and a trial-size 8-ounce bottle of Bissell's Spot & Stain formula with OXY (which has a fresh scent thanks to Febreze). There's also a 15-foot power cord and a 4-foot flexible hose, making it maneuverable for tight spaces.

Setup is straightforward: Fill the clean water tank (48-ounce capacity) with hot water and the included cleaning solution, attach the hose and tool, plug it in, and you're good to start. No complicated instructions or tools needed—it took me less than 5 minutes the first time. The two separate tanks (one for clean water, one for dirty) are removable and easy to empty, which is a huge plus for hygiene.

Key Features and Specifications

• Portability and Design: Measuring about 17.25 x 10.5 x 8.25 inches, it's compact enough to store in a closet or under a sink. The green plastic body is durable but not overly fancy—it's built for function over form.
• Suction and Cleaning Power: It has a 3-amp motor with strong suction for its size, designed for spot cleaning rather than whole-room jobs. The process involves spraying the solution, scrubbing with the brush, and then sucking up the dirty water in one pass.
• Tools: The 3-inch brush is great for general stains, while the crevice tool handles edges and tight spots like car seats. The HydroRinse tool is genius for cleaning the hose itself by flushing out residue.
• Tank Capacity: Both tanks hold 48 ounces, meaning fewer refills for small jobs but you'll need to empty/refill for larger areas.
• Versatility: Works on carpets, rugs, upholstery, stairs, and auto interiors. It's especially marketed for pet messes, with formulas that target urine and odors.
• Other Specs: 96-ounce total fluid capacity (combined tanks), no built-in heater (unlike ProHeat models), and it's corded only—no battery option.

Performance in Real-Life Use

I've tested this on a variety of surfaces and stains, and overall, it performs admirably for fresh or moderate messes. For example, when my dog tracked mud onto the living room carpet, I sprayed, scrubbed lightly, and vacuumed it up—the stain was gone after two passes, and the area dried in about an hour. On upholstery, like a coffee spill on the couch, the suction pulled out most of the liquid without soaking the fabric too much.

For pet accidents, it's a lifesaver. I used the PET PRO OXY formula (bought separately) on a urine spot on an area rug, and it not only removed the stain but neutralized the odor—no lingering smells after. In the car, the crevice tool got into seat crevices to clean crumbs and spills from road trips. However, for older, set-in stains (like a year-old wine spot), it lightened them but didn't fully erase them—I had to pre-treat with a stronger cleaner and make multiple passes.

The machine isn't steam-based, so it relies on the solution and mechanical scrubbing. Suction is powerful enough to extract a good amount of dirt, but the small brush head means it's best for spots under a few square feet. Trying to clean a whole rug takes time and effort—expect to spend 30-45 minutes on a 5x7 area, refilling tanks midway.

Noise-wise, it's about as loud as a standard vacuum—not whisper-quiet, but tolerable for short sessions. Drying time varies: Carpets take 1-2 hours, upholstery a bit less if you blot excess moisture.

Pros

• Excellent for Quick Spot Cleaning: Handles fresh stains like mud, food, pet messes, and spills effectively, often in one or two passes.
• Portable and User-Friendly: Lightweight, easy to carry up stairs or to the car, and simple to operate—even for beginners.
• Strong Suction for Size: Pulls out impressive amounts of dirt and liquid, leaving surfaces cleaner and drier than manual methods.
• Pet-Friendly: Pairs well with odor-eliminating formulas, making it popular among pet owners.
• Affordable and Reliable: With over 75,000 Amazon reviews averaging 4.5 stars, it's durable and backed by good customer service from Bissell.
• Self-Cleaning Feature: The HydroRinse tool makes maintenance a breeze—no clogged hoses.

Cons

• Limited to Small Areas: The small brush and tank size make it inefficient for large carpets or deep cleaning whole rooms—you'll need a full-size machine for that.
• No Heat Function: Doesn't heat the water, so it may not tackle the toughest, set-in stains as well as heated models.
• Manual Scrubbing Required: The brush doesn't rotate automatically, so you do the work, which can be tiring for bigger jobs.
• Corded Design: The 15-foot cord limits mobility in large spaces, and there's no cordless version.
• Formula Costs Add Up: The included trial bottle is small, and refills aren't cheap if you use it often. 

Buy it here: The Bissell Little Green 1400B on Amazon

Overall Verdict

The Bissell Little Green 1400B is a solid 4.5 out of 5 for anyone needing a reliable spot cleaner for home or auto use. It's not a miracle worker for ancient stains or massive areas, but for everyday accidents, it's efficient, convenient, and worth the price. If you have pets, kids, or just a spill-prone household, I'd highly recommend it—it's earned its viral status on social media for good reason. If you need more power or heat, consider upgrading to the ProHeat or HydroSteam versions, but for basic needs, this classic model delivers. Just remember to clean it after each use to keep it performing like new!