The Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner is equipped with powerful spray and suction to remove tough spots and stains on your carpet and upholstery! Here’s the complete manual on how to use the Bissell Little Green.

What’s in the box?

Standard accessories may vary by Bissell Little Green model. To identify what should be included with your purchase, please refer to the “Carton Contents” list located on the carton top flap.

How to Use the Bissell Little Green

Understanding how to use the Bissell Little Green the right way helps to make sure your portable carpet cleaner works as well in two years as it does today, so please take the time to learn it carefully.

While versions of Bissell Little Green vary slightly by design, the basic operating instructions are similar for all of them. For this guide, we are using the Bissell Little Green ProHeat portable carpet cleaner.

1. Assembling the machine

Before you can use the Bissell Little Green, you need to assemble it first. Do not plug in the machine until you are familiar with all instructions and operating procedures. Here’s how to assemble the machine:

1. Slide the flex hose clip into the opening on the front of the machine. You will hear a “snap” when it is locked into place. 
2. Attach the cord wrap by snapping it into place on the collection tank side of the machine.
3. Snap the hose grip bracket into the back of the machine on the clean tank side.
4. Snap the second tool storage (select models) into the back between the cord wrap and hose grip bracket.
5. Wrap the flex hose around the unit and snap the hose grip into the bracket.
6. Wrap the power cord around the cord wrap.

2. Filling the clean water/solution tank

Once the Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner has been assembled, the next step is to fill the solution tank. There are different directions on the tank for small and large messes. Here’s how to fill the solution tank:

1. Remove the clean water/solution tank by lifting it straight up and away from the unit.
2. Pull the black tab to reveal the tank opening. The plug rotates out of the way for easy filling.
3. Add water to the indicated fill line on the solution tank.
4. Add the Bissell formula to the indicated fill line on the solution tank.
5. Replace the plug by rotating into place and pressing gently onto the tank.
6. Replace tank by lining the tank bottom with indentations on the machine. Press down firmly on the tank to secure in position.

Always make sure that the cleaning solution and water are in the tank before using the machine. Follow the fill lines on the clean tank to add the correct amount of hot tap water (maximum 140 °F or 60 °C) and portable machine formula. Do not boil or microwave the water.

3. Pretreatment and cleaning

Pretreatment is a very important step that you do not want to skip. By pretreating heavily stained or highly soiled areas, the cleaning effectiveness will be increased greatly. Here’s the pretreatment procedure:

1. Check the manufacturer’s tag before cleaning rugs and upholstery. “W” or “WS” on the tag means you can use your cleaner. If the tag is coded with an “S” (with diagonal strike-through), or says “Dry Clean Only,” do not proceed. If the manufacturer's tag is missing or not coded, check with your furniture dealer.
2. Twist the quick release cord wrap clockwise to quickly unwrap the power cord. Plug in the unit and press the power button beneath the handle to turn it ON.
3. Release the flex hose from the hose grip bracket. It's best to unwrap flex hose completely.
4. Select the tool for spot cleaning. Insert the tool on the end of the hose until it clicks into place.
5. Hold the 3” tough stain tool just above the carpet or upholstery to be cleaned. Press the trigger to mist solution over the soiled area.
6. Let the cleaning solution set for 5 minutes before cleaning. To lift the stain away, apply downward pressure on the tool and slowly pull it toward you. Then use “drying strokes” (by not pressing down trigger) to remove remaining moisture. Repeat as needed.

Steps 4-6 explains in general how to use the Bissell Little Green once the desired tool is selected for cleaning. Below, we explain how to use each of the tools provided by Bissell:

Cleaning with the 3” tough stain tool

Attach the 3” tough stain tool to the handheld cleaning hose. Press the spray trigger to mist solution over and onto the soiled area. Release the spray trigger and gently scrub the stain.

To lift the stain away, apply downward pressure on the tool and slowly pull it toward you. Then use “drying strokes” (by not pressing down trigger) to remove remaining moisture. Repeat as needed.

Cleaning with the HydroRinse tool

Attach the HydroRinse tool to the cleaning hose. Hold the hose and attachment in an upright position. Then hold down the trigger to rinse the hose for 30 seconds.

The HydroRinse tool can be stored on the right handle or on the hose in between use.

Cleaning with the 3-n-1 stair tool (select models)

Attach the 3-n-1 tool to the cleaning hose. This versatile 3-way tool sprays, scrubs and suctions up dirt and stains from the outer curves, corner and tread of carpeted stairs. Twist the tool head to the desired setting.

The downward facing edge is the active cleaning mode:

• Use the flat area to clean the top of stairs.
• Use the pointed edge to clean inside crevices.
• Use the indented area to clean outer corners.

Cleaning with the deep stain/reach tool (optional accessory available for purchase)

Attach the deep stain/reach tool to the cleaning hose.

Set the tool directly on top of the carpet before pulling the spray trigger to inject formula deep into the carpet fibers. Always keep the tool in direct contact with carpeting to avoid over- spraying.

To lift the stain away, apply downward pressure on the tool and slowly pull it toward you. Watch as powerful suction removes the dirt and cleaning solution. Continue until no more dirt can be removed.

As a final step of using the deep stain/reach tool, use “drying strokes” (by not pressing the spray trigger) to remove as much moisture as possible. Repeat this step as often as necessary.

Cleaning with the stain trapper tool

Attach the stain trapper tool to the end of the hose. Slowly move the tool back and forth over the stain. Be careful not to move the tool back and forth too quickly or soiled water will flow back into the hose.

To empty the stain trapper tool, rotate the small tank on the bottom of the tool to unlock it. Dump the dirty water into a sink or toilet and rinse the tank out with clean water.

Replace the tank by lining up the locking teeth with their mating slots (make sure the two teeth that are closest together are pointed toward the brush). Turn the tank to lock it into place.

Clean the front of the stain trapper tool by removing the plate over the suction plate. Pull down to remove and rinse with water. Then replace the plate by sliding back into place.

What to do when the thermal protector activates

An internal thermal protector has been designed into the Bissell Little Green to protect it from overheating. When the thermal protector activates, the suction motor will stop operating. If this happens, do these:

1. Turn the machine OFF.
2. Unplug the machine from the electrical outlet.
3. Check the end of the hose and tool for blockages and remove it if necessary. Check the float stack for clogs and remove debris.
4. Let the motor cool for approximately 30 minutes. The thermal protector will automatically reset and cleaning may continue once plugged back in.

If the thermal protector continues to activate after following the above steps, your Bissell Little Green carpet cleaning machine may need servicing. Contact Bissell Consumer Care for help.

Final words

And there you go, the complete tutorial manual on how to use the Bissell Little Green. The updated version is equipped with ProHeat technology that continuously heats hot tap water to maximize cleaning effectiveness.

Related articles:

• Bissell Little Green important buyer’s guide
• Bissell Little Green troubleshooting
• How to clean Bissell Little Green