Bissell Little Green vs Hoover CleanSlate XL: which portable spot cleaner fits pet stains and upholstery?

Quick answer: For occasional pet accidents, spills on a couch and car seats, the Bissell Little Green 1400B is enough: it is lighter, compact and has a 48 oz clean tank. If you clean several spots at a time, larger rug patches or stairs on a regular basis, the Hoover CleanSlate XL (FH15000V) is the better fit thanks to its 96 fl oz tank and 7-inch WidePath tool. Neither of these two heats water, so do not pay extra for either expecting heat.

Which models we compare, and why the names confuse

Both names cover a family of machines, so it pays to read model numbers.

• Bissell Little Green is sold in several versions. This comparison uses the plain Little Green 1400B (Bissell calls it the Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner; Amazon calls it Multi-Purpose). Amazon also lists the Little Green Pet Deluxe 3353, the Little Green Mini 4075 and Little Green ProHeat versions with different tanks and tools. Bissell's model page lists twenty similar model numbers for the 1400 family.
• Hoover CleanSlate also comes in versions. The CleanSlate Plus (FH14050) was only available on Amazon.com as a bundle with car cleaning solution when we checked, so we compare the current CleanSlate XL (FH15000V), which Hoover lists on its own site and Amazon sells as a standalone machine.

If you already own a CleanSlate Plus or an older Little Green, the trade-offs below still apply in broad terms, but check your own tank and tool sizes.

Does either one heat the water?

This is the most common misunderstanding with spot cleaners.

• Hoover CleanSlate XL: no heater. The CleanSlate XL user manual tells you to fill the solution tank with warm water, maximum 140°F (60°C), then add Hoover solution; for tough stains it says to use 100% solution with no water.
• Bissell Little Green 1400B: Bissell's 1400B product page lists no heating feature. Bissell's heat option is the separate Little Green ProHeat line. Its 2513G page says Heatwave Technology "helps maintain water temperature" (it keeps warm water warm rather than heating cold water) and lists a smaller 37 oz clean tank. Bissell's own store showed the 2513G as no longer available on 2026-10-10.

In practice, both machines in this comparison clean with whatever water temperature you put in. Warm tap water within Hoover's limit is the realistic option for both; check the Bissell user guide for its own limit.

Tank size and refills

The clean tank decides how many spots you can work through before walking to the sink. The Little Green 1400B holds 48 oz of clean water, per both its Amazon listing and Bissell's spec table. The CleanSlate XL holds 96 fl oz, per its listing and Hoover's product page. For one cat accident that difference does not matter; for a hallway runner or a row of stair treads it can mean half the refill trips.

The trade is weight and size. Amazon lists the 1400B at 9.7 lb and 8.25 x 17.25 x 12.5 inches; the CleanSlate XL at 11 lb and 11.5 x 14.1 x 13.3 inches, both before water is added. If you carry the machine up stairs or into a car, the lighter Bissell is easier.

Tools and reach

• Little Green 1400B: a 3-inch Tough Stain Tool, a Spraying Crevice Tool and a HydroRinse self-cleaning hose tool, plus an 8 oz trial bottle of Little Green formula with OXY (Bissell's page). Bissell lists a 15-foot cord; the hose is described as 4.5 feet in the page copy and 4 feet in the spec table, so plan for about 4 feet.
• CleanSlate XL: a 7-inch WidePath tool for larger areas, a TightSpot tool for crevices and a Pet Tool, plus a hose rinse feature and trial oxy solution (Amazon listing). The sources we opened do not state the hose length, so check the listing photos or ask the seller if reach matters for car footwells.

The 3-inch tool concentrates suction on a small spot, which suits upholstery and car seats. The 7-inch tool covers a wide patch per pass, which suits rugs and carpeted stairs.

The method matters as much as the machine

Consumer Reports compared two Bissell Little Green machines (a standard model and a ProHeat) with Resolve sprays and reported that the Bissell machines "worked pretty well," concluding that a dedicated tool gave much cleaner surfaces than inexpensive sprays (article updated July 7, 2023). That article did not include the CleanSlate, so it is evidence for the category and the Little Green, not a head-to-head result.

Whichever you buy, the technique decides the outcome. The Carpet and Rug Institute's guide for dry urine spots says to blot up liquid first with white towels, pretest any solution in a hidden spot, work from the edges to the center to avoid spreading, rinse with lukewarm water and avoid overwetting. Hoover's manual adds three checks that apply to both machines: vacuum first, only clean upholstery coded "W" or "S/W" (never "S"), and test colorfastness by rubbing a hidden area with a damp white cloth and checking it after ten minutes. Put plastic under area rugs that sit on wood floors.

Buying decision

• Choose the Bissell Little Green 1400B if most messes are single spots: a pet accident, a coffee spill on the couch, a car seat. It is lighter, narrower and its 3-inch tool suits upholstery.
• Choose the Hoover CleanSlate XL if you regularly clean several spots or larger patches on rugs and stairs, or have more than one pet. The 96 fl oz tank and 7-inch tool reduce refills and passes.
• Choose neither if you want heated water (look at a ProHeat-type model and check its current availability), if your upholstery is coded "S" or leather, or if you need to clean whole rooms; a full-size carpet cleaner fits that job better.

Before you order

• Confirm the model number in the listing title: 1400B for the Little Green described here, FH15000V for the CleanSlate XL. Pet Deluxe, Mini, ProHeat and CleanSlate Plus versions differ in tank and tools.
• Check your upholstery tag for a "W" or "S/W" code before buying for a sofa.
• Price the formula you will reuse; both makers recommend their own solutions, and Hoover's manual directs you to Hoover Portable Solution for the CleanSlate XL.
• Make sure you have a place to store a machine about 13 inches tall with its hose wrapped.
• Read the return policy, since you will only know how the machine handles your fabrics once you use it.

FAQ

Is the Bissell Little Green or Hoover CleanSlate better for pet urine?

Both can extract urine from carpet and upholstery; the difference is scale. One fresh accident is well within the Little Green's 48 oz tank; frequent accidents on rugs favor the CleanSlate XL's 96 fl oz tank and wide tool. Blot first and follow the Carpet and Rug Institute's steps either way.

Does the Bissell Little Green heat water?

The Little Green 1400B does not list a heater. Bissell's ProHeat versions use Heatwave Technology, which the maker says helps maintain water temperature.

Can I put hot water in the Hoover CleanSlate XL?

Hoover's manual says warm water up to 140°F (60°C). Do not exceed that.

Can these machines clean leather or dry-clean-only fabric?

No. Hoover's manual limits upholstery use to fabrics coded "W" or "S/W" and rules out "S"; Consumer Reports notes these machines are for carpet and cloth upholstery, not leather.

Do I have to use the brand's formula?

Both makers recommend their own formulas, and Hoover's manual directs you to Hoover Portable Solution for the CleanSlate XL. Using other products may affect results and parts; check the manual and warranty before you switch.

How we researched this

On 2026-10-10 we checked both Amazon.com listings, read Bissell's product pages for the 1400B and the Little Green ProHeat 2513G, Hoover's CleanSlate XL product page and user manual, the visible part of Consumer Reports' Little Green article and the Carpet and Rug Institute's spot guide. We did not buy or test either machine; cleaning results quoted come from Consumer Reports, and specifications come from the makers and listings. Still open: the CleanSlate XL hose length and the Little Green 1400B's maximum fill temperature, which we could not confirm from sources we could open. Buying links and any commission relationship are disclosed on this page.

Sources

• Bissell: Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner 1400B
• Bissell: Little Green ProHeat 2513G
• Hoover: CleanSlate XL Spot Cleaner
• Hoover CleanSlate XL user manual (PDF)
• Consumer Reports: Bissell Little Green vs Resolve sprays
• The Carpet and Rug Institute: Urine, Dry spot guide
• Amazon.com listing, ASIN B0016HF5GK
• Amazon.com listing, ASIN B0CD9JV7PB