What Works Best to Remove Stains? Bissell Little Green Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners vs. Resolve Sprays
Find out which type of stain remover prevailed in CR's tests
So your dirty little secret is that you like to eat dinner on the couch while watching “Jeopardy!”
And maybe, just maybe, you let slip a bit of sauce or some crumbs here and there. What to do? Well, you can use an inexpensive fabric spray to deal with stains. But for a small investment, you can buy a portable carpet and upholstery cleaner to rid the fabric of any tell-tale signs of sloppy eating. And nobody will ever know.
In addition to sneaking a snack on the sofa, there are a number of reasons you might want a small upholstery cleaner. Say your dog jumps on the couch the moment you leave the house. (You know that happens.) Or frequently tracks muddy paw prints across the rug.
Consumer Reports bought and tested two Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaners and compared them with two Resolve fabric-cleaning sprays to determine whether you can truly remove a stain with a little elbow grease or if a dedicated appliance makes a difference.
Photo: John Walsh/Consumer Reports Photo: John Walsh/Consumer Reports
Like full sized-carpet cleaners, the portable Bissell machines work by spraying a mixture of hot water and cleaning solution from an onboard tank onto the surface of the fabric. Following the directions in the owner’s manual, you apply the solution for the recommended amount of time, then vacuum it up. Dirty water is collected in a second onboard tank that you dump out when the deed is done.
Sprays, by comparison, are more for spot cleaning—rather than your entire couch. For best results, blot up any excess moisture caused by the spilled food, spray stained areas with Resolve, and blot again with a clean damp cloth or sponge. Then blot gently until the water in the cloth or sponge runs clear.
Photo: John Walsh/Consumer Reports Photo: John Walsh/Consumer Reports