Bissell 1400-7 Bagless Canister Vacuum

Living in a 4 pet, 2 kid and 1 husband household means we have a lot of messes to deal with. Our home has tan carpets that I would really like to rip up but since new flooring isn't in the budget right now I'm forced to deal with the constant vaccuuming and spot-cleaning.  We own one of those big heavy upright steamers but it is getting near its end of life, hard for me to use, and too heavy for me to carry up and down the stairs in our split-level home.  My mother in law gave me my Little Green Machine, and I'm quite happy with it.

About the Bissell 1400-7 Little Green Multi-Purpose Compact Earth-Friendly Deep Cleaner
Do not be fooled by the Epinions listing title which refers to this as a "bagless canister vacuum".  This is not a standard canister vacuum and you will be sorely disappointed if you try to use it that way. This is a spot/carpet steamer/cleaner.

First the facts - this machine is priced around $89 and comes with a one year manufacturer's warranty. 

The Little Green Machine is intended to be portable - at just about a foot tall and 18 inches from side to side. It weighs about 14 pounds and has a big handle on the top.  When you first get it you will need to screw on a hook assembly for hose/utility storage. Then once you  fill 'er up with water and cleaning fluid you are ready to go.  The machine has 2 reservoirs - one that is marked to fill with cleaning solution (suggested to use Bissell brand but you can use any carpet cleaner of your choice) up to the fill line and then hot water up to the water line. The other reservoir will collect the dirty/used water. Once you have loaded in the water and solution, plug in the cleaner (it has a 15' cord) and then turn it on.  Pull the trigger on the cleaning tool hose to spray the area and then run the tool over the area to suck up the mess and pull out the water from the spray.   Your cleaned spot will be a little damp after cleaning, but will dry in short order if you have sucked out most of the wetness with the cleaning tool.  When done, empty out the collection/dirty water canister and wash it out. You can then put this away for the next time, and in my house there are plenty of "next times".

Why do they call this The Little Green Machine?
I thought that it was because of the color, light sage green, but I was wrong. 

Some facts about this machine: (From the Bissell website)
-It has no styrofoam in the packaging, packed only with recycled cardboard.
-Bissell claims that it "has been redesigned with a 95 percent reduction in PVC"
-It has a recycling friendly tank made of polypropylene.
-The brush block and the solution tank are both made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.
-Bissell cleaners claim to be "earth-friendly liquid cleaning formulas that do not contain any heavy metals, optical brighteners, phosphates, or dyes" . Bissell cleaners are also packaged in bottles that are made of recycled material and recyclable themselves.

But, does it work?
You bet it does.  I will spare you the gory details but our dog is old and has seen better days. The Bissell Little Green Machine makes quick work of deep cleaning soiled areas of carpeting - leaving the carpet clean, fresh and free of odors.  I have been using the Bissell Little Green Carpet Formula cleaner, even - though there is a specific cleaner aimed at Pet Odors.

One should know that though the cleaner has quite a long power cord, the cleaner hose is not real long (maybe only 5 or 6 feet in length).  Also, the brush/suction tool is not real wide - only about 5 or so inches across so it doesn't cover a whole lot of surface at a time. This is why this machine is suited for spot cleaning (carpets or upholstery) and not entire floors -- that would take a real long time.  Also, the trajectory of the spray when you pull the trigger takes getting used to. I was surprised that it shot out so far to each side the first time and felt like I should go put on a raincoat!  After the first time, it got better and I figured out how to better aim the spray - it would be nice to adjust the level somehow.

I have noted that it seems to put out a lot more fluid than it takes back in, yet the carpet isn't soaking wet like our big old upright cleaner left it.  I haven't figured this one out yet - but perhaps during pre-treating some of the fluid dries is all I can think.

Do I recommend the Little Green Machine?
Absolutely! 

Especially suggested to: Households with kids, pets, or (like ours) both kids and pets.

Other vacuums I've used and/or killed:
Hoover Fusion Bagless Cyclonic
General Electric 106766 Bagged Canister Vac
Hoover WindTunnel Bagless Upright
Dirt Devil Kone Handheld