Question for anyone with a Bissell Spotclean

Q

quebert

Member
I got one last month and I like it, the Oxy stuff that comes with it is too expensive. Looking for something else to put in it. Right now I hit the spots with 303 multi surface cleaner and scrub with a fabric brush. Then fill it with hot water and extract. Would like something cheaper that works that I could put right in the tank. And of course Bissell says to only use their stuff or you'll break it lol.
 
I don't have a Spotclean, I have the Proheat 2X, but I use pretty much whatever I feel like using. I've used ZEP, Folex, Bissell products, Hoover products, Woolite, and vinegar. The only one I've ever had a problem with was actually one of the Bissell ones. Granted, it was my fault, I agreed to help my parents out and let them provide the product... it was years old (about a year past the recommended date) and had Scotchguard in it. Well, to make a long story short, I think the Scotchguard seperated and it took me a while to clean out my machine.
 
I've had good luck with Megs APC and Folex.
You can use pretty much anything- just go with whatever works the best and costs the least.
 
There really isn't much benefit IMO to adding any cleaner to the tank. When cleaning any fabric, allowing the cleaner to dwell is really the key to getting things clean (besides heat of course). Your method of spray, scrub then rinse is basically all you need. Then you never have to worry about any chemicals messing up your machine. I have a Bissell spotclean pro (retired) and a Mytee tempo and with both machines I haven't ever added chemicals to the tank.
 
I use the regular Bissell carpet shampoo that you can buy at the grocery store. You can boost that with grocery store OxyClean if you want. I'm not a big fan of Megs APC, I personally don't feel it rinses very clean.
 
I don't have that specific model but we had a 10yr old Little Green Machine that was only used occasionally (a few times a year) We used whatever liquid we had at the time. Then ALWAYS ran warm water through it after we were done to rinse it out clean. Alas, our son used it once and it never worked again :( Getting ready to purchase the Pro Heat model :)
 
I don't have that particular model either (might have in the past...I've had so many I forget!), but with units that don't have a separate "clear water rinse" capability I too just spray the [carpet cleaner] on via other means and the use the machine's sprayer for a clear water rinse.

To my surprise, Hoover, Bissell, and Dirt Devil brand cleaners have worked *very* well for me. Good cleaning and easy rinsing. Didn't expect that from "mere OTC/consumer-grade" stuff but that's how they worked out. (Note that I still like stuff from companies like ChemSpec/etc.)
 
I have the pro heat model. I usually spray Folex first scrub and do a water rinse and extraction. If that doesn't get it out I spray Meguiars d101, scrub, water rinse then extract. This seems to get 99% of everything out that I need.

I don't put any mix in the tank.

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Very timely thread for me - used my Bissell Pro-heat for the first time last night:



The cleaning solution sample Bissell provided was a joke - it wasn't even enough to fill the machine up the cleaning solution mark on the clean water tank.

Great suggestions on pre-treating stains first then following up with Bissell filled with nothing but clean hot water. Thanks fellas!
 
Angus said:
Very timely thread for me - used my Bissell Pro-heat for the first time last night:
The cleaning solution sample Bissell provided was a joke - it wasn't even enough to fill the machine up the cleaning solution mark on the clean water tank.

Great suggestions on pre-treating stains first then following up with Bissell filled with nothing but clean hot water. Thanks fellas!
Click to expand...

Really? Mine is the full-size machine but I got enough solution to do the carpets in the house a few times. They also included a second "restorer" or something like that and a small spray bottle of pretreat. They were all 8-12 oz bottles, I can't remember. (I actually kept the spray bottle, works great for quick cleanups. :) )
 
RDKC said:
Really? Mine is the full-size machine but I got enough solution to do the carpets in the house a few times. They also included a second "restorer" or something like that and a small spray bottle of pretreat. They were all 8-12 oz bottles, I can't remember. (I actually kept the spray bottle, works great for quick cleanups. :) )
Click to expand...

Yup, it was just a little sample bottle. Guess they're starting to cheap out on us!
 
Accumulator said:
I like using Zep products :D Does it rinse out well? Too many carpet products suds something awful...seems like more sudsing (endlessly during the rinse!) than actual cleaning.
Click to expand...
The Zep cleaner I used made plenty of suds. Actually made filling the container very difficult. It rinsed out okay and there's no obvious residue on the carpet but I was also cleaning the carpet in my brothers new house (belonged to elder smokers before) so it got a vinegar/water rinse after.

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Can't figure out how to edit with Tapatalk.

Just want to clarify, I did not like how many suds the Zep produced initially. During use it was tolerable but I had to be a little more careful to not go too slow since the brushes would immediately foam it.

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I have both the Bissell ProHeat Upright and the Bissell SpotBot. I prefer to use a carpet (or fabric) cleaner in a spray bottle, spray, agitate, dwell, then use the extractor with just hot water to rinse/extract the soap and dirt. I've used a number of different carpet cleaners. For fabrics (like seats), I use our liquid laundry soap (Era) mixed with water....again, spray lightly, let dwell and then extract with hot water.
I don't like using soap in the machine because unless you empty, refill with just water and do it all again, you just don't get the soap out. It just makes more sense to me to clean, then extract with fresh. clean, hot water. Frankly, sometimes for light duty, a hot water extraction alone is all that's need to freshen the area's....hmmm might try adding a little Fabreze to the hot water for some extra freshness.
 
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