Bissell has become a mainstay equipment manufacturer in the home cleaning industry for quite some time now. And the Bissell ProHeat Carpet Cleaner does not fall short of the quality that consumers come to expect from the brand. At first glance, the carpet cleaner can seem a bit difficult to operate with all of its nozzles and reservoirs. We've compiled the steps to operate your Bissell carpet cleaner to keep it functioning properly.
Here are the steps to properly operate your Bissell ProHeat cleaner:
- Vacuum and pre-treat the area
- Configure the Bissell ProHeat
- Use the nozzle extension on sofas and steps
- Run the cleaner over the floors
Read on to learn more about the tasks involved in each step. We'll also discuss the best carpet cleaning solutions to use with a Bissell and how to maintain every component of these carpet cleaning and shampooing machines.
How To Use A Bissell ProHeat Carpet Cleaner
We may include affiliate links and curated AI content to highlight top design styles.
1.Vacuum and Pre-treat the area
Before cleaning your carpet, it's important first to vacuum it to lift any loose dirt, hair or pet dander and debris that may be lying between the fibers. This should also be done on hardwood floors and upholstery to ensure that the surface is prepped for the best cleaning.
An oxygen-based remover will often work best lifting stains if you pre-treat stains from food, makeup, or beverages. If you have stains from dirty shoes or pets, enzyme-based cleaners may be a better fit (you can also use laundry detergent for spot stains). To apply the pretreatment to the carpet, you typically need to spread on the stained area and allow it to sit for anywhere from two to twenty minutes. Next, simply wipe the treated area with a damp cloth or a sponge to lift the stain.
Be careful when applying stain removers to your upholstery. Always read the instructions and test an inconspicuous area first to ensure that you don't accidentally discolor your furniture.
Check out this pre-treat remover on Amazon!
2. Configure the Bissell ProHeat
Once you have vacuumed and pre-treated all of the stains, remove the measuring cup from the back of your Bissell cleaner. Next, pour your cleaning solution into the solution reservoir until it reaches the solution's fill line. Then, fill the rest of the tank with hot water until it reaches the reservoir's water line. After you have poured the water into the reservoir, turn on the power switch and wait for one to two minutes for the water and solution to heat up.
4. Use the nozzle extension on sofas and steps
The most efficient way to use your Bissell cleaner is to start on the smaller areas such as the steps or any upholstery that will be cleaned. This way, you won't have to worry about stepping on your freshly cleaned floors if they are wet. Set the cleaner to "upholstery cleaning" setting and run the cleaner over your upholstery or steps starting on the left side and working your way to the right using vertical strokes to ensure complete surface coverage.
5. Run the cleaner over the floors
Next, set the Bissell cleaner to either a hard floor or carpet cleaning setting. Working from the left side of the wall farthest away from your entry door (of whatever room you're in), make your way backward. Run the cleaner over the floor, covering each section twice, especially if the carpet is soiled. As you run the cleaner over each section of the floor, engage the trigger multiple times to dispense the solution, and soak up the water. It's best to work on three to four-foot sections at a time to ensure that you don't miss any areas of the floor. For light cleaning, making one pass forward and back should suffice for each section.
If you are cleaning a particularly large area, you will need to refill the tank with the cleaning solution and hot water once or twice. Depending on how heavily soiled the flooring or carpeting is, you may need to refill it even if the room is small (for example, a heavily soiled 10' x 10' bedroom).
Carpet cleaning tips:
- Be sure not to use your Bissell carpet cleaner on natural stone floors, as doing so may damage the floors and the machine.
- Animal skin rugs, shag carpets, and other long-fiber flooring types (such as oriental-style rugs) should be avoided when using this particular carpet cleaner because of their pile height.
- Do not overfill the measuring cup with the cleaning solution as it can create excess suds, which would leave a residue on your carpet or flooring.
- Every time you use the Bissell cleaner, clean out the lint screen and any attachments used during the cleaning (this includes rinsing out the solution tank).
Can You Use Any Carpet Cleaner In A Bissell?
According to Bissell, it may be possible to use other carpet cleaner brands in the Bissell Pro; however, they advise against it. Bissell's cleaning solutions are formulated specifically for Bissell products and can offer the most reliable cleaning performance. If anything, you may want to test a small area with the solution before applying it to the entire floor or upholstery.
Which Bissell Carpet Cleaning Solutions Are The Best?
Bissell Deep Clean + Refresh w/ Febreze
The Bissell Deep Clean formula is an excellent choice for floors or upholstery that are heavily soiled with dirt, spills, pet dander, and daily traffic stains. This deep clean formula works well for stains that may be more challenging to remove or that have set into the fibers of the carpeting or upholstery (such as coffee or wine).
This stain remover's versatility is one of its biggest benefits because you can add it to your Bissell Pro, apply using a microfiber cloth, or add it to your washing machine for a thorough cleaning. The concentrated solution is surprisingly pet and child-friendly and can be used on most carpet or upholstery surfaces.
BISSELL Multi-Surface Pet + Febreze Formula
If you have pets, this cleaner may be the best solution for you. This multi-surface cleaning formula is an oxygen-based stain remover that works quickly to lift both colors and odors from your upholstery or carpet. It neutralizes odors on contact and can also remove stains that have already been set and dried (i.e., coffee, urine, etc.).
The stain remover also comes with an environmental certification, which means that it is safe for homes with small children and safe for the environment in general (it contains no harmful odors or residues). This formula can easily be applied to stains using the Bissell Pro cleaner or a microfiber cloth.
BISSELL 2X Pet Stain & Odor
This cleaner and odor-removing solution was formulated to help loosen and remove stains, both old and new. The solution is safe to use on upholstery, area rugs, carpet, and other soft surfaces. It contains biodegradable ingredients and is absent of phosphates, metals, and dyes--all of the ingredients have been evaluated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), earning the solution the Safer Choice label.
Bissell Pet Urine Eliminator
The Pet Urine Eliminator by Bissell is all you need if you are training new puppies or kittens. This lightly-scented solution neutralizes odors on contact and gently lifts any tough stains that may have set into the carpet or rug. It is also perfect for cleaning vomit, neutralizing strong odors, can lifting embedded dirt from carpet and upholstery fibers.
The formula is environmentally friendly and contains no dyes, phosphates, or heavy metals (it's also biodegradable). If you are looking for a carpet cleaning solution that safe to use around your kids and pets, this cleaner may be worth taking a look at.
How Long Does It Take For A Bissell Carpet Cleaner To Dry?
It will typically take carpets and upholstery anywhere from two to five hours to dry after being cleaned. The more saturated the carpet is with the cleaning solution, the longer it will take. If the carpet was heavily soiled, it would also take longer to dry. To speed up the drying process, you can use floor fans to ventilate the rooms while opening the doors and windows.
How Do You Maintain A Bissell Carpet Cleaner?
Bissell carpet cleaners are very durable and reliable products. However, to help them provide optimal performance and ensure their longevity, it's best to keep them cleaned and maintained. Here are a few tips for doing just that.
The Water Tank
After using your Bissell cleaner, fill the water tank with hot water, and turn on the machine to help flush out the internal solution lines. Some cleaners also come with a self-cleaning hose to help rinse out lingering debris and residue.
The Vacuum
Use a hairbrush to brush away hair, pet dander, and debris that becomes wrapped up in your cleaner's vacuum brushes. This will help reduce the chance of the vacuum's bristles breaking and will keep them working properly. Bissell also makes a specially designed "brush roll" that comes with certain models, helping minimize clogged brushes.
Also, be sure to change your lint filters after each use. This will ensure that the vacuum's suction will not be hindered due to clogged filters and will keep the unit running smoothly.
The Mop & Duster
If your Bissell cleaner has microfiber pads, be sure to wash them with a mild detergent after every one to two cleanings to prevent the contamination of your clean floors. Also, be sure to rinse them thoroughly with hot water after each use.
Check out this Bissell Mop on Amazon!
The Sweeper
Accumulation of static build-up can cause the sweeper of your Bissell cleaner to become clogged. To avoid this, toss one or two dryer sheets in your machine dryer and set the dryer to five minutes. Next, use the sheets to wipe down the brushes on the sweeper to prevent future static buildup.
Hard Floor Cleaner
Make sure to wash the cap on the sprayer after every use and clean the water tank with warm water and a soft-bristle brush. This will help to remove the build-up of residue and keep the sprayer from getting clogged.
Check out this Bissell hard floor cleaner on Amazon!
The Steam Mop
You can increase the life of your steam mop by simply emptying the tank every time you use it. This will prevent the solution from leaking into the unit's internal lines and extend the filter's life.
Wrapping Things Up
We hope that this post has shown you the proper way to use and maintain your Bissell ProHeat carpet cleaner.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other posts:
