The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For pet messes, look for a carpet extractor—not a conventional steam cleaner. Extractors apply cleaning solution and suction the soiled water back out. For broad, repeated room cleaning, Consumer Analysis rated the BISSELL Big Green Machine its best overall and best-for-pets pick among the models it tested; for isolated accidents, stairs, or upholstery, a portable spot extractor is easier to target. Neither choice guarantees removal of every stain or odor, and the carpet or rug’s care instructions should guide whether water-based cleaning is appropriate.
Why a carpet extractor is usually the better search
“Carpet steam cleaner” is a common name for a household carpet-washing machine, but many such machines clean by applying solution, brushing or scrubbing, and extracting dirty water rather than by using steam. That distinction matters for urine: BISSELL advises against conventional steam cleaning for dog-urine stains, saying heat can set proteins and odor more permanently into rug fibers. This is the manufacturer’s guidance; check the care label and the appliance manual for your specific surface and machine.
Extraction is useful because it can recover dissolved residue along with water. BISSELL says a spray bottle alone cannot remove residue from inside rug fibers. Its guidance is manufacturer-authored, not a comparative independent test.
Choose the machine size for the mess
| Type | Best suited to | What to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| Full-size upright extractor | Repeated or broad cleaning of carpeted rooms | Cleaning performance on both urine and other messes, tank capacity and refill frequency, extraction and drying, weight, tools, storage, maintenance, and compatible-solution cost |
| Portable spot extractor | Isolated accidents, stairs, upholstery, and smaller treated areas | Reach and included tools, how much solution and dirty water the tanks hold, cleaning effort, extraction, upkeep, and approved formula cost |
Do not choose on a “pet” label alone. A pet household may need to address urine, muddy paw prints, and oily or food-like stains, and performance can vary by stain type. Consumer Analysis’s upright test used seven stains: tomato sauce, peanut butter, chocolate ice cream, grape juice, caramel syrup, chocolate syrup, and coyote urine. Its reviewer noted that some machines that performed strongly on urine did less well on peanut butter.
#1 Best Overall
- EVERY PURCHASE SAVES PETS. Every purchase makes it possible for BISSELL to continue our support of BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission of saving pets in need.
- OUTCLEANS THE COMPETITIVE LIGHTWEIGHT CARPET CLEANER*. This machine tackles tough everyday & pet messes made on carpet & area rugs in small spaces.
- 4-ROW DEEPREACH POWERBRUSH. Combined with powerful suction, this brush removes ground-in dirt & stains in high traffic areas that vacuums leave behind.
- COMPACT & LIGHTWEIGHT. Designed for simple storage & to easily maneuver within tight spaces.
- PRO MAX CLEAN + PROTECT. Pair with our most powerful formula with StainProtect Technology to defend against future stains.
Full-size picks supported by comparative testing
BISSELL Big Green Machine: strongest broad-room pick in one test
Consumer Analysis named the Big Green Machine its best carpet cleaner overall and for pet homes among the machines it tested. It reported that the model cleaned many test stains quickly, had large tanks, and left the test carpet driest among the tested machines. In its pet test, the machine cleaned a coyote-urine stain in one back-and-forth pass. The urine had been left to dry for 24 hours, and the test used a specified solution; Consumer Analysis’s reviewed pages do not state a publication year. These are results under that publisher’s protocol, not a promise for every pet accident, carpet, or cleaning solution. See Consumer Analysis’s pet-cleaner results and its test method.
BISSELL TurboClean: a lower-cost category pick, without a verified current price
Consumer Analysis calls the TurboClean its best affordable carpet cleaner for pets. In the publisher’s test, it cleaned the dried coyote-urine stain in one back-and-forth pass and also performed well on peanut butter. The pages reviewed do not establish a current price, so compare the model’s price in your market and weigh it against tank size, tools, maintenance, and other running costs. Read the pet-test results.
Rank #2
- EVERY PURCHASE SAVES PETS. Every purchase makes it possible for BISSELL to continue our support of BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission of saving pets in need.
- SAVE YOUR SANCTUARY: Tackle spills and pet stains while removing dander, dust, and pollen allergens.
- CLEANS MORE THAN CARPET: Spray, scrub, and suction to remove embedded dirt and stains from upholstery, car interiors, pet beds, and more.
- INCLUDES: 4” Tough Stain Tool with removeable lens, HydroRinse self-cleaning hose tool, and 8oz. BISSELL Little Green Formula.
- EASY STORAGE: Conveniently stores in small spaces - perfect for cabinets, closets, and more.
For accidents and stairs, consider a portable extractor
BISSELL Little Green Max Pet
BISSELL recommends its Little Green Max Pet portable cleaner with a compatible PET PRO OXY formula for dog urine on suitable rugs. Its recommended approach is to blot first, treat an area wider than the visible spot, scrub, extract until recovered water runs clear, then make a suction-only pass. This is the manufacturer’s advice, not an independent side-by-side ranking of portable cleaners. Follow the specific machine manual and confirm formula compatibility before use. Read BISSELL’s urine-cleaning guidance.
Other model listings need a market and model check
BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro
For UK readers, Ideal Home’s 2026 review names this model its best carpet cleaner for families. For the UK-market version it reviewed, Ideal Home lists a weight of 7.94 kg, clean- and dirty-water capacities of 3.7 L each, and an 82 dB noise figure it reports as tested. It praises deep cleaning and attachments, while noting corded power, a large storage footprint, and difficulty with very tough stains. See Ideal Home’s review.
Rank #3
- PROFESSIONAL-LEVEL STAIN REMOVAL AT HOME: Achieve pro results without the cost with the Hoover PowerScrub. Five counter-rotating SpinScrub brushes attack stains from multiple angles while HeatForce technology provides faster drying.
- DEEP CLEAN EVERY SURFACE: Transform dirty carpets, refresh upholstery, and tackle pet accidents anywhere with included 8 ft hose and specialized attachments - ideal for stairs, furniture, car interiors and hard-to-reach corners where messes hide.
- DUAL TANK TECHNOLOGY: Separate clean and dirty water tanks ensure you're always cleaning with fresh solution and are easy to fill, empty and rinse. Auto Mix creates the perfect ratio of water to cleaning solution for consistent results every time.
- COMPLETE CLEANING KIT INCLUDED: Everything you need in one box - upholstery tool for furniture, pet tool for stubborn messes, crevice tool for tight spaces, 8 ft hose for extended reach, plus sample Hoover cleaning solution to start cleaning immediately.
- PAIR WITH HOOVER CLEANING SOLUTION: For a bright, refreshed home, use the PowerScrub Deluxe with a Hoover carpet shampoo solution. Tackle pet messes with our Pet formula or clean everyday stains with our Everyday solutions.
Which?’s 2026 listing for model 20666 gives different figures: 12.5 kg and 4.5 L dirty-water capacity, alongside 3.7 L clean-water capacity and a six-year warranty. These listings should not be merged into a single definitive specification: verify the exact model number, market, and manual before comparing dimensions, capacity, or warranty. See Which?’s comparison.
Clean urine without risking the rug
- Blot fresh urine. Press with an absorbent cloth rather than rubbing, which can spread the spot.
- Read the rug or upholstery care label. BISSELL says water-based cleaning is suitable for labels marked W or WS; it recommends consulting a professional for S or X labels. Follow the item’s own care instructions if they differ.
- Check how far the urine reached. If it soaked through to the pad or floor, a surface cleaning may not address the odor fully, and one session may not be enough.
- Use only an approved solution and the machine’s procedure. Apply beyond the visible stain if the instructions call for it, scrub as directed, extract the liquid, and finish with a suction-only pass when the manual specifies one.
- Repeat only as directed and reassess. Older or deeper contamination can need further cleaning. Do not assume a clear-looking surface means all odor has gone.
BISSELL’s separate Professional Pet Stain and Odor Removing Formula, model 77X7, is listed for carpet, high-traffic areas, spots, upholstery, and fabric. Rug Doctor’s 2024 portable pet spot-cleaner manual describes its Pure Power Pet Stain & Odor formula and advises using Rug Doctor solutions in its machine, warning that other solutions may harm it and void the warranty. Formula compatibility is model-specific: do not mix brands or assume a solution works in every extractor. See BISSELL’s product listing and Rug Doctor’s 2024 manual.
Rank #4
- PROFESSIONAL DEEP CLEANING FOR PET MESSES: Removes the toughest pet stains & odors.
- ATTACKS SPOTS & STAINS: The CleanShot Pretreater with OXY permanently removes pet stains and eliminates tough odors like cat urine and even skunk. StainProtect Technology prevents future stains.
- FRESHSTART ODOR PROTECTION: Continuously helps prevent odors & maintain freshness in your machine with antimicrobial brush rolls and a FreshStart Dirt Tank.
- MULTIPLE WAYS TO CLEAN: Get professional results in MAX Clean Mode, or leave carpets dry in about 30 minutes in Express Clean Mode1
- 2-IN-1 PET UPHOLSTERY TOOL, 3” TOUGH STAIN TOOL, & 8FT HOSE: Remove wet & dry pet hair or tough embedded stains from furniture, pet beds, stairs, & more!
What to compare before buying
- Stain performance: Look for evidence on urine and other common messes; results on one stain do not establish performance on all of them.
- Tanks and effort: Larger capacity may reduce refills, but also consider handling, how often dirty water must be emptied, and how much effort cleaning takes.
- Extraction and drying: Check whether the machine removes water effectively and whether reviews report drying time under stated conditions.
- Tools and access: Check for stair, upholstery, and stain tools if those surfaces are part of the job.
- Ownership burden: Account for maintenance, storage footprint, and the recurring cost of compatible formulas—not just the purchase price.
- Market and exact version: Specifications, included tools, and warranty terms can differ by model number and geography. Confirm them against the local listing and manual.
Ideal Home says its testing considers visible cleaning, passes needed for stains, drying time, effort, tank use, attachments, maintenance, refill costs, and storage. Read its test methodology. Consumer Analysis’s pet test also illustrates a trade-off: some BISSELL models used more water, performed well on certain oily stains, and left carpet wetter. Review its pet-test findings.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- EVERY PURCHASE SAVES PETS. Every purchase makes it possible for BISSELL to continue our support of BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission of saving pets in need.
- OUR BEST CLEANING SYSTEM FOR PET MESSES. This powerful compact carpet cleaner tackles pet messes & more all throughout the home.
- VERSATILE TOOLS. Comes with a 7 ft Hose, 4" Self Cleanout Tool, and a Spraying Crevice tool for multi-mess management.
- 4" SELF-CLEANOUT TOOL. Quickly tackle stains and clean the tool with just one touch.
- 4-ROW DEEPREACH POWERBRUSH. Combined with its powerful suction, this brush removes ground-in dirt and stains that vacuums leave behind in high traffic areas.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
