I tried the latest version of the internet-famous Bissell Little Green. Here's my review
Curious if you should add it to your cleaning arsenal? Keep reading for my full review.
Bissell Little Green Mini Portable Carpet Cleaner
The latest version of the Little Green has all the features we love about the OG (which has been around since 1993!), but in an even cuter miniature size. It's a great choice for cleaning carpets, mattresses, furniture and more in small homes with limited storage space. Its compact size is great for small spaces (and small messes)
My first task while testing the Bissell Little Green Mini was to refresh the middle seat on my couch. I don't have a kitchen table (small apartment problems), so I eat dinner on the couch whenever I'm home. And since I'm a creature of habit, I always sit in the same exact spot — you could tell from the slight discoloration on the lower left of the cushion.
I gave the middle cushion a once-over by spraying the solution and extracting until the appliance stopped sucking up liquid, and that was all it took to refresh it. Is it a super noticeable difference? Not really, but I can tell — and I feel good knowing that if I did spill something, I have a good way to clean it up.
In the future, I'm sure I'll clean the entire sofa at once. However, it's important to know that this machine is definitely designed for small spaces and minor messes. That's because the main difference between the Little Green and the Little Green Mini is their size. The new model is significantly more compact, so it's easier to store in small spaces — you could easily stash it in a cabinet or under the bed. And as someone who lives in a one-bedroom apartment, I appreciated that I didn't have to scramble to make room for another bulky cleaning tool — it easily fits in my cramped closet.
The Little Green Mini also weighs just 7 pounds, compared to the original's nearly 10-pound weight, making it easier to hold in one hand and carry around the house. It comes with a 4-inch nozzle (surprisingly bigger than the original's 3-inch nozzle), which sprays, scrubs and extracts all in one tool. It also has a generous 4-foot hose and 12-foot cord, which allows for plenty of movement without unplugging and finding a closer outlet.
If you're trying to deep-clean anything big (like an entire couch), you'll likely need a lot of passes with this portable carpet cleaner. You'll also have to refill the clean water tank and empty the dirty water tank because they're pretty small — but more on that later.
You can see exactly what it's extracting
Next up, I stained a small, low-pile area rug and a high-pile carpet square with red wine, coffee, olive oil, ketchup, sriracha, soy sauce and dirt. I wanted to see the full potential of the Little Green Mini, so I let those stains set for 24 hours before tackling them with the carpet cleaner. (After all, it's not always possible to clean up messes right away!)
This was how I could really get a good look at how the appliance works. As I passed over every stain with the tool, I was able see exactly what it was sucking up since the nozzle has a clear cover. So while I passed over the red wine stain, the liquid getting extracted was tinted burgundy, while the ketchup and sriracha were bright red. Then once most of the stains were extracted, the tool just suctioned up the remaining water and cleaning solution mixture.
The dirty water tank was also a great visual of how much work this little cleaner was doing. I was honestly shocked by how disgusting the water in the dirty tank was — a true testament to the fact that it was working.
It's easy to set up, use and clean
The Little Green Mini required very little assembly before it was ready to use. All I had to do was attach the hose clip and cord bracket. Then, I simply filled the clean water tank with warm tap water and a bit of the included cleaning formula. That's it! Using it is pretty easy too: Just press down on the trigger to spray the solution, scrub the mess with the tool's bristles and then pull the tool toward you to suction it up.
And once I was done using the appliance, cleanup was simple. I emptied and rinsed the dirty water tank, and I removed the cleaning tool and rinsed its clear cover and bristles. It also came with a HydroRinse Self-Cleaning Tool, which is designed to rinse the hose so gunk doesn't build up over time. Instructions for using it were pretty self-explanatory: Attach the tool to the hose, hold it upright and press down on the trigger for 30 seconds. (It's worth noting that I experienced a bit of leaking while using this tool, which I'll touch on more later.)
A post shared by CNN Underscored (@cnnunderscored) Set-in stains will require pretreatment and a lot of manual work
Unfortunately, the Little Green Mini wasn't able to remove most of the set-in stains from the carpet sample or area rug. The coffee and soy sauce stains definitely showed the most improvement, but the red wine stain looked like it was barely touched — and I gave it many, many passes. (Maybe pretreating it with Wine Away would have given better results.)
Surprisingly, I had just about the same results when I tested this cleaner out on fresh stains. If you're dealing with major messes (especially set-in stains), I'd strongly suggest pretreating them with a dedicated stain remover before attempting to remove them with the Little Green Mini.
It leaks a bit
I wasn't initially concerned about the leaking I noticed while cleaning with the Bissell, but once I was done and tidying up, I saw quite a bit of water on my floor, which made me reconsider. In my experience, the clean water tank started dripping the second I turned it upside down, so I suggest waiting until you're right above the appliance before flipping it over and installing it.
The troubleshooting guide says leaking would really only be caused by a damaged tank or improperly installed cap, but I tried several times and experienced a bit of leaking no matter what I did. I also noticed some water leaking from the hose nozzle while using the HydroRinse tool, so I wish I had used that over the sink.
The tanks don't hold as much as they seem to
Even though the water tanks are pretty big, the size is actually quite misleading. Both the clean and dirty tanks seem like they could actually hold so much more liquid than the max fill lines indicate. I'm sure there's some reason why they can't be filled to the top, but it just feels like there's a lot of empty, wasted space. The clean tank is designed to hold 16 ounces, while the dirty tank can hold 13.5 ounces — and that's significantly different compared to the capacity of the original Little Green, which could hold 48 ounces in the clean tank and 45 ounces in the dirty tank. I had to refill the clean tank twice and empty the dirty tank once while cleaning the area rug. Another reason why the Mini is better suited for small spaces!
Is this appliance a miracle worker when it comes to stains? Definitely not. But still, at just under $100, it's a great portable carpet cleaner for people who live in small spaces or simply don't want to deal with a bulky full-size model. And it has such a small footprint that I honestly won't mind keeping it on hand for the occasional spill or yearly spring cleaning refresh. (And yes, I will update this review with more insights as I continue to use the Little Green Mini over time.)
Should you use hot or cold water in the Bissell Little Green Mini?
Should you use hot or cold water in the Bissell Little Green Mini?
Bissell recommends using warm tap water (140 degrees Fahrenheit max) in the Little Green Mini. During testing, I used warm water from my kitchen faucet, which was about 130 degrees Fahrenheit, according to my Oxo instant-read thermometer.
Does the Bissell Little Green Mini need a cleaning solution?
Does the Bissell Little Green Mini need a cleaning solution?
For best results, you'll need more than just water in the Bissell Little Green Mini — especially if you're dealing with stains. The brand recommends using its Little Green Oxy Spot & Stain solution (a sample bottle comes with the appliance), but you may have success with other types of carpet cleaner formulas. I also suggest pretreating deep stains with a stain remover first.
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, our home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel tested the new Bissell Little Green Mini on multiple surfaces to see how well it works.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
10 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Opinion: A generation plugged in, tuned out
At just nine years old, a child today can hold the world in their hands – yet lose touch with the one around them. For much of Generation Z, this is a reality. Like many kids, I got my first phone not because I needed one, but because peer pressure made it feel like I'd be left behind without it. After countless months of begging my parents, they bought me my first phone. With a brand new iPhone 7 in hand, I felt like I had unlocked the rite of passage. However, once I downloaded popular social media apps – Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok – my life turned around. Social media exposed me to conversations that I wasn't ready for. There comes a point in a child's life when they start to become subject to peer pressure. According to Children's Health , peer pressure begins as early as age ten with the formation of friend groups in elementary school. Peer pressure can come in many different shapes and sizes: what you wear, how you act, and now, whether you own a phone. When it comes to peer pressure caused by phones, it more specifically goes under the category of ' social conformity . ' Social conformity is the tendency for one to adjust their thoughts, beliefs, or lifestyle to align with those in a group or a social norm. The tendency for children or teenagers to succumb to social conformity is becoming more and more prevalent in this day and age. Social media is dangerous. While it isn't physically dangerous, social media has created a culture of comparison and hate speech. According to the Anti-Defamation League's annual survey , up to 22% of Americans reported experiencing hate speech online. For children and teens, especially, this can be harmful. The harm is rooted in a child's maturity level. Now more than ever, before children develop proper emotional and psychological tools, they are shown explicit and harmful content. Instead of connecting and building confidence, kids often find themselves isolated and insecure. In fact, a survey conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health questioned 14-24-year-olds on how UK social media has impacted their health. The results revealed that Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram all led to increased feelings of depression, anxiety, poor body image, and loneliness. As social media platforms continue to shape young minds, it's important to make a change. While it's nearly impossible to disconnect children from social media completely, we can reform these platforms from within. Now, more than ever, it's crucial to enforce extra precautions through stricter content moderation, promoting digital literacy, and holding platforms accountable for the harmful environments they create. Together, we must aim to create a space that fosters well-being and connection rather than harm and isolation. Related
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
Woman Checks In on 'Introvert' Rescue Dog at Day Care—Tears at What She Sees
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A pet owner has shared footage of the sight that greeted her when she decided to check-in on her rescue dog at daycare. Nicole Williams from Seattle, Washington, had followers to her TikTok @PrincessPixieWixie in tears after sharing a clip of her "introvert" pup Pixie at doggy day care in December 2024. "It was definitely heartbreaking to see her looking lonely, but reassuring to know that she was somewhere safe and in less distress than she would have been if she was home alone," Williams told Newsweek. She adopted Pixie from Forever Home Dog Rescue, just outside of Seattle, about a year ago. Pixie is a very different dog now to the one Williams took home that day. "When we first adopted her, she had to go to day care because she had pretty severe separation anxiety and would bark for hours on end whenever she had to be home alone, which was not often since I work from home," Williams said. When Williams decided to check in via the live video feed her doggy day-care offers, she immediately noticed Pixie off in the corner away from the rest of the pups. Some of the nervousness displayed by Pixie in the video could be to do with an experience from her previous life before she was adopted. "Unfortunately, we don't know much about her life before we adopted her, only that she came from an overcrowded shelter in California," Williams said. But, while there was something sad about seeing her all alone in the clip, to Williams it just made her love Pixie even more; she is a true introvert. "It's pretty funny to me just how awkward she is by nature, she is always cracking me up with her quirky mannerisms like sitting in the corner like that," Williams said. Many of those watching on TikTok expressed sympathy for Pixie's plight. There were tears, but many found it relatable. "I'm sad for her," one wrote. "This is so sad and so cute at the same time," another commented. Williams shared the clip, in part, to show how far Pixie has come since then. "She's a pretty awkward and anxious girlie, but she has come a long way in building confidence since I adopted her," she said. "With lots of training, she's gotten much better with the separation anxiety and doesn't have to go to day care much any more!" Williams added. Dog training is an important component of canine companionship, but everyone has different approaches. A 2020 study published in the journal PLOS One found dogs trained using methods involving punishment experienced higher levels of stress compared to canines trained using reward-based methods. As part of the experiment, 92 dogs were split into groups, with one-third trained using aversive methods, while another third used reward methods, and the other group combined the two. Stress levels were monitored by researchers taking saliva samples from the dogs to measure the stress-related hormone cortisol and through the review of footage from the training sessions. The results indicated aversive methods had a negative impact on canines and should be avoided where possible. Williams added that the key to her success was the fact she "dedicated" herself to training Pixie to overcome her issues. "Hiring a trainer early on was hugely helpful in building my own confidence in helping Pixie build hers." she said. "I worked on her separation anxiety training every single day for months and, while it meant I had to put some of my social life on the back burner for awhile, it was so worth the work and the wait in the end to see the amazing little dog she blossomed into." Today, Pixie loves all the things you would associate with a happy, confident dog, including cuddles, rolling around in the grass and eating food she shouldn't. Doggy day care, meanwhile, is a thing of the past. "She used to bark and cry nonstop when we'd leave her home alone, and now she will just sleep or hang out quietly," Williams said. "She's also gotten a bit braver with hanging out with other dogs, though she still prefers her people."
Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Buzz Feed
Just 37 Terrifyingly Good Before And Afters Of Cleaning Products Doing The Dang Thing
A makeup brush cleansing shampoo to clean the sponges that touch your face every day! I shudder at the thought of these going unclean for months, but this shampoo will cleanse your brushes and blending sponges so easily, the long timespans of dirty makeup tools will be long gone. It can extend the life of your applicators *and* save you from irritated skin. A hairbrush cleaning tool perfectly designed to get every piece of dander, hair, and terrifying buildup out of those bristles. This three-way brush features two kinds of bristles on each end *and* a pointed tip that'll dig deep so you can really rake the dirt out. Do you see that difference!? *Immediately adds to cart* A pack of dishwasher-cleaning tablets for deep cleaning the thing that washes your bowls, utensils, and cookware (among other things) for you. A single tablet will effectively clean the dishwasher's tub, pump, valve, and internal hoses by eliminating limescale, mineral buildup, and odor-causing residue. Trust me, it needs it every once in a while! A Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Cleaner that provides results so terrifyingly good, you'll be left with a jaw drop like Kevin McCallister himself. This bestselling portable carpet and upholstery cleaning machine is *super* convenient and very easy to use! It works for dirt, pet stains, and baby stains, and because it's compact, you can use it to clean your car, too. A powerful foaming drain cleaner because it's fun to use and scary good at its job. This will help remove grime, stinky clog odor, *and* help prevent future plumbing issues just by pressing the foam directly into your drain — no sweat-inducing, hard work necessary. OR a drain clog remover that specifically helps unclog your sink, shower, and bathtub drains that are FILLED with hair. 🤢 The 34-inch snake has spikes along the body, allowing it to grab and remove hair as you move it up and down the dreaded drain. It may be a nasty process, but the results are quite literally scary (hairy?) good. A tub of the bestselling Pink Stuff for those hard-to-get stains, dirt, and rust spots around the house. All you need to do is scrub and rinse to get things sparklin' again! It works for everything from bathtubs and stovetops to tennis shoes and crayon-covered walls, so you'll no longer need 10 different cleaning solutions for every kind of problem. Terrifying stains, be gone! A rubber broom that'll easily sweep up that hair monster that's been living in your rugs. This handy tool grabs all the pet AND human hair that's been embedded in your carpet for a scary amount of time (even the hair you didn't even realize was there!). And while it can work on any type of floor, it's specifically designed to pull up hair in the most difficult place — the carpet. An effective denture cleaner because brushing your retainers and night guards daily doesn't do as much as you think it it definitely doesn't rid you of the haunting white discoloration, the mild odor, or the building plaque. But surprise! These cleaning tablets will tackle it ALL in a heartbeat. A multi-purpose Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Stain Treater Spray that's a bestseller for well-earned reasons. You can use it on just about any fabric that needs some assistance — from stained T-shirts to nearly ruined couches. This spray will save the day! Or a pet stain and odor-eliminating spray for those carpet incidents that happen every now and then. This spray lifts stains away and removes that odor that comes along with it. A rust-removing spray, aka a cleaning magician that'll turn your showers, sinks, and any other rust-filled surfaces into the clean slate they once were (and do it for less than a tank of gas). Just spray it on the rusted area, leave the room while it works its scary good magic, and return to diminished stains you can easily wipe away. A toilet bowl ring remover because *no one* wants to see that terrifying view every time they use the bathroom. This lightly abrasive pumice stone effectively cleans the porcelain throne — no harsh chemicals needed and no damage done. This is a quick, easy, and cheap (!!) way to get the dirty chore done. AND a bacteria- and virus-killing Clorox Toilet Wand Starter Kit complete with refill heads so your clean toilet can ~easily~ continue on. Simply pop one of the sponge heads to the end of the stick, give your bowl a nice scrub, and release the used sponge into the trash. Your porcelain throne is now fresh and clean. ✨ A reusable screen-cleaning brush if you're tired of seeing the same dead bugs and cobwebs on your window screen every time you want to look outside. This super clever double-sided tool removes dust, dirt, bugs, and all kinds of grime that may be trapped in your screens. Use it wet or dry to reveal the *clean* view you've been missing. A bottle of mold and mildew remover spray that kills mold anywhere from your bathroom tile to your outdoor patio (and all the sneaky places in between). The best part is that there's no hard work on your end. Just spray, wait 15 seconds, and watch the mold disappear! Talk about terrifyingly good results. A suede and leather brush to get rid of those annoying scuffs and salt lines on your shoes, bags, and coats. Between the gentle rubber bristles and the effective metal bristles on the other side, you won't need to throw out and replace your favorite things if you've got this thing at home. A bottle of Folex spot remover because it can make even the toughest of stains disappear from furniture, carpets, and other fabric surfaces. Whether your kid spilled spaghetti on your all. white. rug (!!) or your pet got their dirty paw prints on your bedspread, it covers such a wide range of stains, they should honestly be charging more! A jewelry-cleaning pen to turn your cloudy diamond rings and necklaces into a crystal ball clear enough to see through. Once the shock of these results wears off, I'm sure you'll be rocking your jewelry like it's just out of the box. A top-rated leather restoring conditioner that'll have your home feeling brand new with all the shiny, restored things lying around. It can be used on everything from furniture to bags and shoes! A professional-strength grout cleaner so you can remove years and years' worth of gross grime from your floors, countertops, and even shower tile. Did you forget that white grout existed in your home? Trust me, it's still there. A pack of bottle-cleaning tablets because if you knew how much grime was still lurking after *only* using soap and water, you'd have chills. Simply fill the bottle with warm water, plop in one tablet, and then wait 15 minutes. These will make washing bottles — and narrow tea kettles! — much less of a hassle and make that terrifying before photo a thing of the past. A pack of stain-removing, nontoxic cleaning cups — the easiest, fastest way to give your Keurig the clean it deserves so you can go back to enjoying your favorite hot beverages. If you have a looming question of "Is this thing really clean?", save yourself the stress and get these cleaning cups asap. An oil stain remover that'll banish the scary ghost-shaped oil figures off of your concrete driveway or patio. All you need to do is apply a small amount to the stained area, wait until it dries, and then brush away the grossness! Sunny & Honey Carpet Miracle cleaner for those stains you never thought would come out. Whether it's food, wine, or just a high-traffic area — this cleaner will give you professional-level results without the high price or the hassle. Simply add this natural cleaner to water and pour the solution into you're carpet cleaner's tank. From Bissel to Hoover, it's compatible with them all. Weiman silver cleaning wipes to recover any tarnished jewelry, silverware, or antiques from the coat of gunk and discoloration that's been there for years *shivers in fear and slight disgust*. These ammonia-free wipes will get your favorite silver, gold, copper, AND brass favorites looking as good as new, while leaving them with a long-lasting shine and protection from future scratches. An upholstery cleaner that'll undo the spilled lunch, coffee, or kid-created chaos on the backseats. And while it's designed to work car interiors, reviewers say it provides OMG-worthy results on carpets, leather, vinyl, and the exterior of your car as well. Trust me, this is not a want but a NEED! And a pretty spectacular wheel and tire cleaner sure to provide results that look like night and day (seriously, look at the difference in those photos!). This will get your hubcaps so shiny, it'll be like looking in four new mirrors. Just spray, let it sit, and wipe away! A universal cleaning gel great for getting rid of crumbs and dust in the tightest of places. Reviewers use it for car vents and cup holders, computer keyboards, and even musical instruments. A bottle of Quick N Brite fireplace cleaner that'll work wonders on even the toughest fireplaces to clean. It's specifically designed to rid soot, smoke, creosote, and ash from nearly any fireplace — brick, stone, tile, or rock. It comes with a cleaning brush, too! Effective grill cleaner — a backyard and BBQ essential! This cleaner will get your fave summertime appliance shiny and clean. Say goodbye to terrifying crud that's been there since last summer! A pressure washer to restore your deck and fence. It can generate up to 2,030 PSI — that's powerful enough to wash away years of grime on decks, the exterior of houses, driveways, and more. A shower door cleaner that'll help get rid of those hard water stains and get your glass doors back to their original clean and clear state. So, say goodbye to feeling scared in your dark and dingy shower; no scary Psycho reenactments are in your future with shower doors this clean. And a bottle of Oh Yuk jetted tub cleaner to remove the ~yucky~ stuff that's been sitting in your tub a little too long. If you've got one of these luxe home additions, this jetted tub cleaner will extract all that doesn't belong and get it back to its old, like-new self in no time. I mean, just look at those gross (yet satisfying?) results! A pack of melamine cleaning sponges that are tough on grime and gentle on surfaces. All you gotta do is wet and swipe, so reviewers obviously call them "magic" for a reason! A cooktop-cleaning kit to get your electric stovetop looking like new again... because FYI, it doesn't have to look like it's barely survived a food fight and a stain vs. rust war that's been going on for years. It comes with everything you need, including the cleaning solution, a cleaning pad, and a scraper tool. A set of drill brushes for those who are finally ready to clean out all of the grout in tiles, stoves, countertops, grills, and even gutters. Attach it to your drill and be prepared to have your eyes pop out like a Looney Tune once you see the results!
