I Tried the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser and It Got SO Many Difficult Stains Out

Even dried dog urine stains were no match for the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser.

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small white dog with bissell stain removerCourtesy Bryce Gruber

With two dogs and five young children at home, my job as Home Editor involves testing a lot of pet stain removers and finding new tricks to get dog pee out of carpet. When I heard the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser could get rid of pet odor and even clean cat pee, I knew I had to give it a whirl.

I ended up falling in love with this handheld multi-use device for so much more than just pet stains. Although it’s definitely one of the best carpet cleaners for pets and manages to get rid of cat pee smell in under a minute, it’s also a lifesaver for food and wine stains on upholstery.

What is the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser?

Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Charging on the floorcourtesy Bryce Gruber

The Bissell Pet Stain Eraser is a cordless handheld vacuum that closely resembles typical dust-busting cordless models, but with the added efficiency of a cleaning fluid spray and high-powered suction. It’s the more compact and portable little brother of the bestselling Bissell Little Green Machine (which I tried firsthand and loved) and is one of the easiest stain-removing solutions for carpeted stairs and car interiors.

It weighs just a few pounds, has a durable handle and all-plastic body, and the removable cleaning brush makes scrubbing more difficult stains a breeze. It’s also one of the best products for those with new puppies and accident-prone pets at home because the easy charge-and-go portability of this vacuum makes getting dog poop out of carpet a quick and painless task.

The body features two transparent reservoirs, one for the cleaning solution of your choice and the other for dirty water. Though you can use most liquid carpet cleaners in this machine, it comes with plenty of Bissell Spot and Stain + Oxy Formula to get you started that also works marvelously on marker stains, grape juice, and ketchup.

How we tested it

Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Rug Bryce Gruber For Rdcourtesy Bryce Gruber

I didn’t have to wait long to put the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser to use, because within hours of its arrival my son let me know that he had “mistakenly” gotten ketchup on one of our area rugs. I charged the vacuum for a full four hours per the instructions, added some cleaning solution and water to the clean water reservoir, and then gave the nearly-dried ketchup stain a few passes and watched it lift away with minimal effort. It beat my old method of hand-scrubbing by far and accomplished the stain-removing task in under a minute. It also fully removed the distinct vinegar scent that so often lingers after a ketchup spill.

Next, I tried the machine on a dog pee stain my toy poodle left as a gift for me on the area rug in my den (along with her anytime gift of dog smell, that is). I hadn’t immediately noticed the marked territory until hours after it happened, so it was dry and stinky by the time I got to it. I pre-treated the stain with some Folex Carpet Spot Remover and then passed over it with the Bissell seven or eight times. It came out flawlessly, and my rug returned to its brand new-looking state. I also walked it over to my neighbor’s house where she used it on the carpeted stairs leading to her basement. She marveled at how it “got years of built-up stains out from the previous owners.”

The most impressive results were on the armchair in my daughter’s room, though, where several years of toddler touching had darkened the hand rests and discolored the soft blue color I loved so much when I bought it. She is also extremely sensitive to chemical-based cleaning products, so I thought it was worth trying to lessen the stains with water only. To my very happy surprise, using water alone and the Bissell’s powerful suction was enough to lighten the stains dramatically.

Bissell Pet Stain Eraser product features

If you’re looking for how to clean carpet, rugs, and upholstery without spending loads of time and energy, the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser’s lightweight cordless design is a sure front runner. It’s lightweight enough for those with weak arm and grip strength to maneuver, and the easy on/off power function makes operating it a simple task.

Pros

What we liked about the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser:

  • Lightweight and easy to maneuver even on cumbersome carpeted stairs
  • Compact size makes it convenient to store even in tight spaces
  • Modest price point pays for itself after just one saved rug or sofa
  • Can be used with the cleaning solution of your choice, or water alone
  • Simple push-button operation
  • No complicated assembly
  • Heavy-duty suction gets out serious stains and caked-on messes
  • The two water reservoirs can be rinsed under warm water for fast cleaning

Cons

What to consider about the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser:

  • A full charge requires being plugged in for four hours
  • A single charge only offers 15 continuous minutes of run time (though you won’t need that much to get out a stain or two)
  • The bristles on the scrub attachment may be too tough for delicate upholstery and rugs
  • It’s not one of the best vacuums for pet hair, as it is designed to work primarily with wet stains

FAQ

How does the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser work?

The Bissell Pet Stain Eraser works by pre-treating stains in either water or a solution of cleaning fluid and water and then suctioning the diluted stains out. In the case of more difficult stains, the scrub brush attachment helps loosen particles.

Does the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser use water?

Yes, the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser requires water to operate.

Can the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser vacuum up vomit?

Good question. The manufacturer suggests discarding larger bits of the debris before using the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser. Scoop up anything chunky—sorry—and then give the mess a few good passes with the scrub brush attachment.

How long does the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser last?

In terms of longevity, user reviews note that this machine easily lasts for years. It’s a sturdy, well-built piece of home cleaning gear you’ll reach for whenever unexpected messes turn up. In terms of run time, a single charge gets you about 15 continuous minutes of cleaning time (or several shorter bursts of spot stain removal).

What other reviewers had to say

“This product is awesome!” shares one very happy verified Amazon purchaser. “I adopted a dog and she had doggie diarrhea one night on my carpet. I didn’t want a big bulky machine, so I went to Amazon and found this. Used it as soon as it arrived, and now the stain is gone!”

Rick, another verified Amazon purchaser says, “I’m pretty impressed with how effective this little thing is. I had some pretty tough stains that wouldn’t come out while using traditional cleaning methods and my carpet was a bit rough as a result of failing to effectively treat these spots. The Pet Stain Eraser not only got rid of the stains but left my carpet smooth and soft like before. I couldn’t be happier about the purchase.”

Final verdict

Before And After using the Bissell Pet Stain on a rugcourtesy Bryce Gruber

The Bissell Pet Stain Eraser is the very-powerful little brother of the larger format Little Green Machine. If you’re low on storage space or budget, the Pet Stain Eraser makes a strong addition to any cleaning arsenal and easily sops up all sorts of gross messes that would take far more energy to clean any other way. If you have pets, kids, or high-traffic carpeted areas, this nifty little gadget is an absolute must-have.

Where to buy the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser

The Bissell Pet Stain Eraser is available on the Bissell website for under $100, where the brand frequently offers bonus discounts and deals. You can also find it similarly priced at Target and Lowe’s. This popular handheld model frequently sells out at other retailers, so you’ll want to scoop one up faster than two shakes of a dog’s tail.

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Bryce Gruber
Bryce Gruber is an expert in gift ideas, shopping, and e-commerce. You've likely seen her work across a variety of women's lifestyle and parenting outlets and on TV shows. She lives and works in New York's Hudson Valley with her five small children.