Quick answer: Yes, for most people. Our Bissell Little Green review verdict: the 1400B is a reliable, compact spot cleaner that handles fresh pet accidents, spills and small upholstery stains very well. It’s not the right tool for old, deep urine or whole rooms. If your messes are frequent or soaked in, step up to the Little Green Pet Pro or the SpotClean Pet Pro.
The Little Green is one of the most popular portable carpet cleaners on Amazon, with a massive base of owner reviews built over many years. That kind of track record doesn’t happen by accident, but it also doesn’t mean it’s right for every home.
Our review is based on manufacturer specs, expert guidance and patterns in thousands of verified owner reviews. We didn’t test it in a lab. Here’s who should buy it, who should skip it, and which sibling might suit you better.
Who the Bissell Little Green is for (and who should skip it)
Buy it if you:
- Have a cat, a small dog or a puppy and catch most accidents while they’re fresh
- Want a cleaner that stores under a sink or on a closet shelf
- Need to clean car seats, stairs, rugs and couch cushions now and then
- Want a simple machine anyone in the house can use without instructions
Skip it if you:
- Have wall-to-wall carpet you want to deep-clean regularly (get an upright)
- Deal with old urine spots that have soaked into the pad
- Have several large dogs or daily accidents, where the small tanks mean constant refills
Bissell Little Green 1400B key specs
| Spec | Bissell Little Green 1400B |
|---|---|
| Type | Portable spot and upholstery cleaner |
| Clean water tank | 48 oz |
| Power | Corded |
| How it cleans | Sprays water and formula, you scrub with the tool, then it suctions the dirty water back |
| Tools | Hose with a hand stain tool (included tools vary by bundle) |
| Best for | Fresh spills and pet accidents, upholstery, stairs, car interiors |
| Owner feedback | Strong owner ratings across tens of thousands of reviews |
What we like about the Bissell Little Green
It gets used when it matters
The biggest advantage of a small spot cleaner is speed. Fresh urine is far easier to remove than urine that has dried for a day. Owners frequently mention that because the Little Green is light and easy to grab, they actually use it right away instead of leaving the mess for “cleaning day.”
Enough tank for everyday messes
The 48 oz clean water tank covers several small spots, or one medium spot with a few rinse passes, before you need a refill. For a cat hairball, a coffee spill or a single puppy puddle, that’s plenty.
Versatile beyond carpet
Because it works through a hose and hand tool, it cleans places an upright can’t reach: stair treads, couch cushions, mattresses, pet beds and car seats. Many owners say they bought it for the dog and ended up using it more on the car.
Simple and proven
There are no modes to learn. Fill, plug in, spray, scrub, suction. That simplicity, plus years of owner feedback, makes it a low-risk buy.
What to know before you buy
Suction is modest on deep stains
Owners frequently mention that the Little Green struggles with stains that have soaked into the pad, especially old pet urine. It lifts the surface well but can’t pull as much liquid from deep down as larger machines. Expect extra passes, and use an enzyme cleaner as a separate step.
The dirty tank fills fast
The recovery tank is small. On a large spill you’ll empty it more than once. Some owners also note that the tank should be rinsed after every use, or it develops a sour smell.
It’s still a manual job
You do the scrubbing. On large areas, that gets tiring quickly. If you find yourself cleaning more than a few square feet at a time, a compact upright like the Hoover PowerDash Pet will save your back.
Use approved formulas
Check your manual for which cleaning formulas can go in the tank. Many enzyme sprays are meant to be used by hand, not poured into a machine.
How the Little Green compares
Bissell makes several versions of this machine, and the right one depends on how much mess you deal with.
| Model | Best for | Key difference | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Green 1400B | Fresh everyday spots | The classic, 48 oz clean tank | Compact | Check price |
| Little Green Mini 4075 | Tiny spills, small spaces | Smallest and lightest option | Very compact | Check price |
| Little Green Pet Pro 3909 | Frequent pet accidents | Stronger suction, extra-large tanks, pro-style tools | Mid-size portable | Check price |
| SpotClean Pet Pro 2458 | Deep pet stains, stairs, cars | Bigger tanks, Pet Stain Trapper tool, 22-ft cord | Largest portable | Check price |
Little Green Mini: great as a car or RV cleaner, or for an apartment with one small rug. It gives up capacity for size, so it’s even less suited to soaked-in urine.
Little Green Pet Pro: the logical upgrade if you like the Little Green concept but have a dog who has regular accidents. More suction and bigger tanks directly address the 1400B’s two main weaknesses.
SpotClean Pet Pro: our top overall pick for pet urine, because it pulls more liquid from the pad and the long cord and hose reach farther. It’s bulkier, so it’s better as a “lives on the main floor” machine. We cover the head-to-head in Little Green vs SpotClean Pet Pro.
Setup and use tips for better results
- Blot first. Before you spray anything on urine, press paper towels into the spot and stand on them to absorb as much as possible.
- Use cool or lukewarm water for pet messes. Many carpet-care experts advise against hot water on urine and other protein stains before they’re treated.
- Spray lightly, suction slowly. Over-wetting pushes urine deeper. Pull the tool toward you slowly with firm pressure so the suction has time to work.
- Do water-only rinse passes. Finish with plain water to remove soap residue, which attracts dirt and can make a spot reappear.
- Add an enzyme cleaner for urine. After extraction, apply an enzyme spray like the Bissell Pet Pro Stain & Odor Eliminator and let it dwell per the label.
- Rinse the tanks and tool. Empty the dirty tank, rinse it and the hose tool, and let them air-dry with the cap off to prevent odors.
Don’t mix cleaners in the tank or on the carpet. Bleach mixed with ammonia or acids produces toxic fumes, and ammonia-based products can draw pets back to the same spot. Spot-test any formula on a hidden area, keep kids and pets away from damp carpet, ventilate the room and follow the product label.
For the complete urine removal process, including finding hidden spots with a blacklight, see how to get rid of dog urine smell in carpet. For stains of every other kind, our carpet stain guide has you covered, and if couches are your main battleground, see our best upholstery cleaner for couch picks.
Our verdict: is the Bissell Little Green worth it?
For fresh messes, yes. The Little Green 1400B is still one of the easiest ways to keep a pet home’s carpets, couches and car seats clean, and its long track record with owners is reassuring. Just go in knowing its limits: it’s a first responder, not a deep-cleaning machine.
If you mostly deal with daily or soaked-in pet urine, spend a bit more on the Little Green Pet Pro or the SpotClean Pet Pro. You’ll do fewer passes and fewer refills. See all our options in best carpet cleaner for pet urine.
Our verdict
Bissell Little Green 1400B Portable Carpet Cleaner
Best for: fresh pet accidents, spills and upholstery spots in small to mid-size homes.
Why we picked it
- Compact, simple and quick to grab when an accident happens
- 48 oz clean tank handles everyday spots
- Cleans stairs, couches and car seats as well as carpet
Keep in mind
- Modest suction on old, soaked-in urine
- Small dirty tank and manual scrubbing on bigger jobs
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bissell Little Green good for pet urine?
It’s good for fresh pet urine, especially when you blot first and follow up with an enzyme cleaner. It’s less effective on old urine that has soaked into the pad, because its suction is modest. For frequent or deep accidents, the Little Green Pet Pro or SpotClean Pet Pro pulls more liquid out.
What’s the difference between the Little Green and the Little Green Pet Pro?
The Pet Pro has stronger suction, extra-large tanks and more pro-style tools, so it handles bigger and deeper pet messes with fewer refills. The original Little Green 1400B is smaller, lighter and easier to store. Choose the Pet Pro if you have regular pet accidents.
Can you use the Bissell Little Green with just water?
Yes. Many owners use plain water for rinse passes and for light spills, and it’s a smart final pass after any formula to remove soapy residue. For tougher stains, use a formula approved in your manual, and apply enzyme sprays by hand rather than in the tank unless the label allows it.
Can the Little Green clean a whole carpet?
Technically yes, but it’s impractical. It’s a spot cleaner with a hand tool, so cleaning a full room would take hours and many refills. For whole rooms, use a compact upright like the Hoover PowerDash Pet or a full-size machine like the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet.
How do you keep a Little Green from smelling?
Empty and rinse the dirty water tank right after every use, rinse the hose tool by suctioning clean water through it, and let the parts air-dry with caps off before storing. Leaving dirty water inside, even overnight, is the most common cause of a sour smell.
Still deciding between the two most popular Bissell portables? Read our Little Green vs SpotClean Pet Pro comparison.
