Say what you will, but carpet flooring has perksespecially if youre a small child or pet. It provides a soft cushion to what would otherwise be hard flooring. However, carpet (mainly white or light-hued) can be challenging to maintain without a proper carpet cleaner. While the best carpet cleaners are good, sometimes a portable spot cleaner for carpet and upholstery gets the job done better (and more efficiently).
When I first saw the Shark StainStriker advertised, I knew I had to try it. Its a super-compact, lightweight carpet and upholstery cleaner that tackles spills and messes anywhere in the home. As someone who has paid hundreds to professionally clean their carpets, I was excited to see how the StainStriker would perform. Heres how testing the portable cleaning machine went.
What is the Shark StainStriker?
The Shark StainStriker is a portable carpet and upholstery cleaning machine that spot-treats and removes stains. It uses a dual-activated solution to treat multiple surfaces throughout your home, including carpets, rugs, upholstery, furniture and more.
The compact cleaning machine weighs less than 10 pounds, so it’s easy to carry to any part of the home. The dual-activated cleaning solution uses OXY to clean tough stains like embedded dirt, pet messes and food stains. No premix or pre-treatment is required either. The StainStriker offers instant stain elimination.
FAMILY HANDYMANI Tried It
Shark StainStriker Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
A super-lightweight cleaning machine
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight design for portability
- Cleans on wet and dry stains
- Cleans pet messes more thoroughly than by hand
- Helps to reduce odor from messes
- Easy to use
- Comes with multiple attachments and cleaning solution
- Machine is easy to clean, but should be cleaned after each use
- One-button operation
Cons:
- Noisy
- May not work on all stains, especially if theyre old and set in
Shark StainStriker Product Features
Dual-Action Cleaning Solution and Powerful Suction
Sharks dual-activated cleaning solution is contained in separate tanks on the machine and comes together for stain-busting action in the cleaning handleno premix or pretreatment necessary. The handheld cleaning tool also features powerful suction to lift liquid, dirt and debris during cleaning. The StainStriker works on tough odors and stains from pets and even smokers.
Easy Cleaning and Storage
Weighing just 8.51 pounds, the StainStriker is easily portable. You can take it upstairs or downstairs, wherever you need to clean. Plus, you can tuck it away out of sight when not in use, and it doesnt take up much space. Its less than a foot wide, less than 3 inches long and 15 inches tall. The hose length is just over four feet, and the power cord is 12 feet long, so you should have no problem reaching from outlet to mess in an average-size room!
Whats In the Box
The StainStriker comes with 12 ounces of OXY Multiplier Formula and six ounces of CarpetXpert Deep Clean Pro solutionthe two cleaning liquids that combine to clean stains and spills. These are both mini sizes of the cleaning liquids, and Shark sells 32-ounce versions of the CarpetXpert and OXY Multiplier for $16 and $14, respectively.
Youll also get the 3.5-inch reversible bristle tool, the pet mess tool, an integrated crevice tool for hard-to-reach places and an instruction booklet.
Shipping and Returns
Shark offers free shipping on orders of $99 or more, so the StainStriker should ship for free. Theres also a 60-day money-back guarantee.
How We Tested It
I put the StainStriker through a series of tests using real-life, set-in stains and fabricated stains (stains I created solely to test the machines cleaning power). I was surprised by the results.
After unboxing the StainStriker, I examined all the parts to be sure attachments and cleaning agents were included per the product description. While removing the packaging, I noticed that the exterior of the dirty water tank (made of hard plastic) was scratched. It wasnt cracked or broken, and the scratches didnt affect the machines operation.
Id describe the scratches as cosmetic flaws, but the cleaning machine was very well packaged in the box, so Im unsure when the damage occurred. My guess is that the damage was a manufacturing default, not a shipping issue. Overall, the scratches were more of an annoyance than anything.
Next, I filled the StainStriker Tank with OXY Multiplier. I filled the CarpetXpert Tank with water and the CarpetXpert Deep Clean Pro solution. Once the machine was full, I walked it into the dining room, where there was a set-in wine stain that had been there for years, and plugged the machine in.
(Even full of water and cleaning solution, the StainStriker was easy for me to carry from room to room.) I was hopeful as I pressed the on/off button and got ready to attack the stain. I sprayed the stain using the button on the handle first, then scrubbed repeatedly, trying to remove the stain. I did that a few times and waited.
Unfortunately, the stain did not budge. In fairness, it is the mother stain of all stains. I had my carpets professionally cleaned recently, and the expert carpet cleaner couldnt get the stain to lift either. So, I went into the living room, over to a brown stain (on white carpet) next to the mantel.
The stain was either a result of spilled coffee or a pet accident and was disclosed to us by the prior homeowners, who had tried to remove it with no luck. The professionals couldnt remove itwith their industrial carpet cleanerseither. This time, I wasnt so hopeful. Still, I set the StainStriker next to the stain, plugged it in, and went to work. What happened next was magic.
The light brown stain (which was only noticeable in certain lighting, probably due to years of attempted removals) started to lift! I was shocked. I walked over to the fireplace multiple times throughout the day to ensure my eyes werent playing tricks on me. The stain was gone.
After that, I tried the StainStriker on upholstery. I had a sample of couch fabric handy from a recent furniture purchase that was perfect for the job. (Note: The fabric is light tan and prone to staining.) On one side, I rubbed in used coffee grounds and on the other, I smeared ketchup. Then, I let each stain sit for about four hours. After that, it was time to clean. I couldnt quite remove either stain entirely. I may have rubbed in each side a little too eagerly after my luck in the living room.
The StainStriker quickly pulled the coffee grounds and ketchup away from the fabric, but unfortunately, there were still shadows of the stains left on the fabric after it had dried from the cleaning. A few factors were working against the StainStriker. First off, how often will you violently rub in a stain when you make a mess in real life? Probably not often–or ever. You’re better off getting the StainStriker on a stain before its pressed into carpet or upholstery fibers. Additionally, darker and performance fabrics are easier to treat and clean.
Despite a few letdowns, I was still impressed with the StainStriker overall for several reasons. 1) Its easy to move, operate and clean. 2) Every stain is different, and the StainStriker was able to lift a stain that even professional carpet cleaners couldnt. 3) The cleaning solution smells excellent. While the StainStriker didnt fully lift the stains I created to test it, it removed the odor and left the fabric smelling fresh. 4) The StainStriker is affordable compared to other small, commercial-grade fabric and carpet cleaners.
The StainStriker is great if you frequently clean small spills and accidents, especially from pets. It even has a Pet Mess Tool, which I found as effective as the main cleaning head. The Pet Mess Tool isolates the dirty water from the machine for easy cleaning and zero cross-contamination.
My only qualm with the StainStriker is that its intended for spot cleaning, but theres only one fill line for the water tank (which takes water and CarpetXpert), so you have to fill it fully every time you use it. Additionally, you shouldnt leave unused cleaning solutions in either tank for more than 5-7 days, so some cleaning solutions will inevitably be wasted. That was a bummer, especially since the machine only comes with two small bottles of cleaning solution.
FAQ
Can you leave water in Shark StainStriker?
According to Shark customer support, you leave clean water in the StainStriker for a short period, of five to seven days. For long-term storage (weeks), they recommend storing unused cleaning solutions in the tank off the unit to prevent clogging or build-up in the machine. However, unused CarpetXpert solution (the solution thats diluted with water) should be discarded after short-term use.
The dirty water tank should be emptied and cleaned after each use to prevent odors, mildew, mold and bacteria.
Does the Shark StainStriker use steam?
No. It does not use steam; it uses water, suction, and two cleaning solutions.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
The Shark StainStriker has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with more than 3,000 customer reviews. The consensus among customers is that the machine is lightweight, easy to operate and works well on carpet and upholstery. Many buyers say theyve had success removing stubborn stains, too. Additionally, several people like the clean smell the cleaning solution leaves behind and appreciate the impressive suction power.
Verified purchaser Mal says, I bought this to treat some old stains when it was on sale, and shortly thereafter had a pet that got VERY sick and managed to do significant damage on the rugs, couches and chairs in my home (including vomit, urine, feces, you name it). It has been worth its weight in gold and made the horrible experience somewhat manageable. Seriously, the house is even cleaner than it was before.
I’m a Shark devotee for life now, Mal adds. Blew my old Bissel out of the water. Love that it has a handle for easy carry, long cord for mobility, and you can leave the solution in the unit between uses. Also super easy to clean out the dirty water bin and cleaning heads. The suction is great. I wish the hose was a tad longer (have to move it around a bit) but can deal with that.
Honestly if you are on the fence and have a pet or kids, just buy it for the peace of mind, they say.
Shark StainStriker vs. Bissell Little Green HydroSteam
The Shark StainStriker is comparable to the Bissell Little Green HydroStem, which we tested for our guide, Best Carpet Cleaners for Pet Stains. However, when comparing the two products, the StainStriker is more compact and simpler to use (with a single-button on/off switch) than the HydroSteam. The HydroSteam also has a steam cleaning setting, which the StainStriker does not have, plus quieter operation.
Both carpet cleaning machines have easily removable dirty water tanks that can be dumped and cleaned thoroughly in the sink. Additionally, the StainStriker has a hose-cleaning tool and a pet-cleaning tool that keeps pet messes far away from the machine, and the HydroSteam does not have either. The StainStriker takes two cleaning solutions, while the HydroSteam only takes one, and the StainStriker has a wider cleaning brush head but a smaller dirty water tank.
Lastly, perhaps most importantly, the StainStriker retails for $90 less than the HydroSteam.
Final Verdict
At such a reasonable price point, I think the Shark StainStriker is a great tool to have in your arsenal of cleaning products. Of course, the machines effectiveness will depend on several variables: the fabric or carpet youre cleaning, the stain (red and oil-based stains are often more challenging to treat, for instance), and how long the stain has been left to sit.
However, the StainStriker is affordable, easy to operate, portable and effective on many stainsincluding old stains that professional carpet cleaners couldnt even get to budge! For that reason, Id recommend it to anyone who needs to stain-treat fabrics and carpets frequently (aka, people with pets and children).
Where to Buy the StainStriker
FAMILY HANDYMANI Tried It
Shark StainStriker Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
An impressive carpet cleaner for spot-treating stains
You can buy the StainStriker directly from Shark, at Walmart and on Amazon. The retail price is $140, but the machine is often marked down.
The post We Tried the Shark StainStriker, and The Results Were Shocking appeared first on Family Handyman.
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