The Bissell Little Green Max Pet Portable Carpet Cleaner is a game-changer for pet owners. Quickly tackling pet messes, spills, and stains on carpets, upholstery, and more, this compact machine is an essential tool for maintaining a clean and fresh home. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started with your Bissell Little Green Max Pet, ensuring you can effectively and efficiently remove pet stains and odors.
Getting Started with Your Little Green® Max Pet
Before diving into cleaning, let’s familiarize ourselves with your new Bissell Little Green Max Pet. Ensure all parts and accessories are present, noting that standard accessories can vary slightly depending on your specific model (models: 3860, 3858, 3857, 38572, 38578, 38573, 38577, 3857C, 3857D, 3857Y, 3857N, 3860B, 3857B, 3860F).
1. Understanding Your Machine: Parts and Functions
Let’s break down the Bissell Little Green Max Pet to understand each part and its function. This overview will help you confidently operate your portable carpet cleaner.
Product Overview |
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- A. Power Switch: Turns the machine ON and OFF. Simple and straightforward operation.
- B. Dirty Tank Lid: Seals the dirty water tank, preventing spills.
- C. Dirty Tank Handle: For easy carrying and removal of the dirty water tank.
- D. Dirty Tank (Float Stack Inside): Collects dirty water and debris extracted during cleaning. The float stack prevents overfilling.
- E. Carry Handle: Allows for comfortable portability of the Bissell Little Green Max Pet around your home.
- F. Clean Tank Handle: For easy removal and carrying of the clean water tank.
- G. Cord Wrap: Conveniently stores the power cord when the machine is not in use.
- H. Hose: Connects tools to the machine for targeted spot and stain cleaning.
- I. Hose Clip: Secures the hose to the machine for tidy storage.
2. Quick and Easy Assembly
Assembling your Bissell Little Green Max Pet is quick and requires no tools. Follow these simple steps to get your machine ready for its first use.
First, manage the power cord by wrapping it around the designated cord wraps located on the side of the machine. This keeps the cord neatly stored and out of the way during operation and storage.
Next, attach the hose clip to the back of the machine. This clip is designed to hold the hose securely in place when not in use. To attach it, insert the hose clip into the designated slot and rotate it clockwise until it locks firmly into position.
After securing the hose clip, wrap the hose around the base of the machine and place it onto the hose clip. This ensures compact and organized storage, preventing the hose from dangling or getting in the way.
Finally, select the appropriate cleaning tool for your task and insert it onto the end of the hose. Push the tool in until you hear a click, indicating it is securely attached and ready for use.
3. Filling the Clean Water Tank: Water and Formula Ratios
Properly filling the clean water tank is crucial for effective cleaning. The Bissell Little Green Max Pet offers flexibility with fill lines for both large and small cleaning tasks.
To begin, remove the clean water tank from the machine by lifting it by its handle. Then, locate and remove the tank cap by unscrewing it counter-clockwise.
The clean water tank features dual fill lines to accommodate different cleaning needs – “SMALL AREA” and “LARGE AREA”. Choose the appropriate fill level depending on the size of the stain or mess you are tackling.
Fill Line Combinations:
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Large Area Cleaning:
- Water: Fill to the “WATER” line at the “LARGE AREA” mark (approximately 28oz).
- Formula: Add pet-friendly carpet cleaning formula to the “FORMULA” line at the “LARGE AREA” mark (approximately 4oz).
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Small Area Cleaning:
- Water: Fill to the “WATER” line at the “SMALL AREA” mark (approximately 14oz).
- Formula: Add pet-friendly carpet cleaning formula to the “FORMULA” line at the “SMALL AREA” mark (approximately 2oz).
For optimal cleaning performance, use warm tap water (maximum 140°F or 60°C). Warm water enhances the effectiveness of the cleaning formula. Fill water first to the designated “WATER” line, and then add your chosen BISSELL formula to the “FORMULA” line. Important: Avoid using excessively hot water, as it can damage the clean water tank and affect the machine’s performance.
Always use genuine BISSELL® formulas in your Bissell Little Green Max Pet. Using non-BISSELL formulas can potentially damage internal components and may not deliver the best cleaning results. Genuine BISSELL formulas are specifically designed to work with your machine and maximize its cleaning power while being safe for your carpets and upholstery.
Recommended BISSELL Formulas for Pet Messes:
- PET PRO OXY Spot & Stain Formula
- Advanced PET Spot & Stain Formula
- OXYGEN BOOST Formula
- Simply Spot & Stain Pet Formula
You can easily purchase these and other BISSELL formulas through the Parts & Accessories section on the BISSELL website.
Once the clean water tank is filled with water and formula, securely reinstall the tank cap by twisting it clockwise until it is tight. Then, carefully reinsert the filled clean water tank back into the machine until you hear a click, ensuring it is properly locked in place.
4. Effective Cleaning Techniques with Your Machine
Before you start cleaning with your Bissell Little Green Max Pet portable carpet cleaner, it’s important to prepare the area. Begin by removing any solid debris, like pet hair or food particles, with a dry vacuum cleaner. This pre-cleaning step prevents clogs in your machine and enhances overall cleaning effectiveness.
For tougher, set-in stains, consider pre-treating the soiled area with a BISSELL stain pretreat formula. Spray the pretreat solution onto the stain and allow it to sit for a few minutes as directed on the product label. This helps to loosen the stain and improve removal during machine cleaning.
Next, unwrap the hose and attach your desired cleaning tool to the hose end. Unwind the power cord from the cord wrap and plug the machine into a nearby power outlet. Turn the Bissell Little Green Max Pet ON using the power switch.
To dispense the cleaning solution, hold down the spray trigger located on the handle. Initially, allow approximately 30 seconds for the pump to prime and establish a consistent spray. Once primed, solution will spray from the tool.
For optimal stain removal, hold the cleaning tool a few inches above the stain and press the spray trigger to thoroughly saturate the area with the cleaning solution. Release the spray trigger and use the brush or scrubbing portion of the tool to gently agitate the stain, working the solution into the carpet or upholstery fibers.
After scrubbing, reposition the tool to suction up the dirty water and stain residue. Tilt the tool slightly forward to ensure the suction channel makes direct contact with the surface. Slowly move the tool in a backward motion over the stain, applying suction to lift away the mess. Repeat this spray, scrub, and suction process until the stain is removed or until you no longer see dirty water being extracted through the tool nozzle.
During your cleaning session, you might need to refill the clean water tank or empty the dirty water tank, especially when tackling larger messes. A change in the machine’s motor sound pitch and a noticeable reduction in suction power indicate that the dirty water tank is full and needs emptying.
When you have finished cleaning, turn your Bissell Little Green Max Pet OFF using the power switch.
5. Emptying and Cleaning the Dirty Water Tank
Proper maintenance after each use includes emptying and cleaning the dirty water tank. Regularly emptying the dirty tank prevents overfilling and ensures your Bissell Little Green Max Pet operates efficiently for every cleaning task. Never allow the dirty water to exceed the “MAX” fill line on the tank.
To remove the dirty water tank, gently tilt it and pull it away from the machine. Once removed, lift up on the dirty tank lid to detach it from the tank.
Carefully empty the dirty water tank by slowly tilting it over a sink or suitable disposal area. After emptying, rinse both the dirty water tank and the lid with clean water to remove any remaining debris or residue. This helps prevent odors and keeps your machine clean.
Reattach the lid to the dirty water tank, ensuring it is fully seated and secure with no gaps between the lid and the tank. Proper sealing is important to prevent leaks during future use.
Finally, place the cleaned dirty water tank back onto the machine. Insert the bottom of the tank first, and then tilt the top into position until it clicks into place, confirming it is correctly and securely installed.
By following these steps, you’ll be ready to tackle any pet mess with your Bissell Little Green Max Pet portable carpet cleaner. Enjoy a cleaner, fresher home thanks to this powerful and convenient cleaning solution! For further assistance, explore related articles or visit BISSELL Support.