Can I Use Tide in My Bissell Carpet Cleaner?

Thus, everyone would like to clean carpets with the available at home products and chemicals. One common question that arises is: It really rained today and I am wondering if I can use Tide in my Bissell carpet cleaner? Tide is a very popular laundry soap that cleans clothing very effectively so it is not surprising that one might assume the same is true for a carpet cleaner. However, what appears to work in one cleaning angle may not necessarily apply in the other, or in any other cleaning activity.

In this detailed guide, we will outline why you should or should not use Tide in Bissell carpet cleaners, compare its advantages and disadvantages, look at what else you can try, and finally give you some tips on how to maintain your carpet in the best way possible without affecting your machine or the quality of the floor.

Can You Use Tide in a Bissell Carpet Cleaner?

No, it’s not recommended. Tide is a washing powder which has specifically been developed to wash clothes in a washing machine. Bissell carpet cleaners are compatible with certain low sudsing carpet cleaning solutions. They clean the carpets by getting rid of dirt, stains and odors. In your Bissell machine if you use Tide or any other laundry detergent you are likely to experience several problems that will have an impact on your carpet and the machine in question.

Why Tide is Not Suitable for Carpet Cleaning Machines

While Tide and other laundry detergents are fantastic at cleaning clothes, they aren’t ideal for use in carpet cleaning machines for several reasons:

Too Many Suds

Tide is expected to generate a large amount of bubbles, or froth that you may find common with many soaps. In a washing machine these suds help in holding up the dirt and stains from the clothes. However, carpet cleaning machines which may come from Bissell are much different from dish cleaning machines and therefore cannot handle as much suds.

• Why it matters Less foam can cause overflooding which in turn floods the water tank of your Bissell carpet cleaner filling it up and eventually causes the blockage of the machine and also low cleaning ability. If there is an excessive amount of foam formed, the vacuum suction of the cleaner may fail to remove water from your carpet adequately leaving behind a soiled detergent solution. This is likely to lead to mold formation and carpet surface becoming tacky.

Risk of Residue

Tide is designed to be washed out from clothes during the spin cycle in a washing machine together with gallons of water that wash out the soap. In a carpet cleaner, there is significantly less water used so there is a much greater likelihood that Tide will remain in the carpet fibers instead of being properly rinsed out.

• Why it matters: If not washed properly to the extent that there is detergent residue on the carpets they become stiff, sticky, and attract dirt. In due time the carpet may look badly off after being cleaned as dust and grime gather on the carpet because of the soap left behind.

 Possibilities Of Harm to Carpet Fibers

Tide is used to wash clothes which are made from such fabric as cotton, polyester, and other synthetic fabrics. While, carpets are made of different types of material including wool, nylon and olefin. These materials are likely to be sensitive to the reagents used in making the laundry detergents, especially the dyes and the brighteners.

• Why it matters:Long term use of Tide or other detergents on your carpet cleaner will see the fibers change color, become brittle and ultimately deteriorate resulting in premature wear of the carpet.

Possible Harm to Your Bissell Machine

Many of Bissell carpet cleaners are intended to be used with Bissell low foaming cleaners only. Applying Tide which is not meant for these firms may cause nullification of your warrantee and compromise on the machine parts including the motor, hoses and water pump.

• Why it matters: You will find that making blunders while using your Bissell cleaner may harm the machine, so that it may lead to costly repairs or even require another machine.

About the Difference between Carpet Cleaners and Laundry Detergents

You will get a clear perspective of why carpet cleaners and laundry detergents are not the same by reading the following text.

Formula Differences

Carpet cleaning solutions: These ones are particularly designed to clean stains, dirty areas and bad smells on the carpet without leaving behind residues. Most are non-foaming, so that the machine can effectively be able to remove the cleaning solution and dirty water.

Laundry detergents: These products are intended to wash the clothes in water with movement in high water. This may comprise optical brighteners, enzymes and bleaching agents which are quite dangerous to carpets and upholstery.

Cleaning Process

Carpet cleaners: Carpet cleaning machines are portable and they include a spray that combines water and a cleaning solution that is vacuumed into the carpet and then sucked out. These steps depend on low foam formulations to avoid the formation of foams within the machine and to guarantee high extraction efficiency.

Laundry detergents: These are supposed to be used in a washing machine, a machine which uses several gallons of water in each cycle to remove the detergent. The kind of rinsing that is experienced in a washing machine is incomparable to that of a carpet cleaner and that is why Tide will not be completely washed off from the carpet.

What happens if you use a tide in your Bissell carpet cleaner?

If you have used Tide with your Bissell carpet cleaner the question may occur what will happen next? Here are a few common issues that could occur:

Excess Foam

As we have seen, Tide is very foamy all thanks to the following ingredients – If you use it in a Bissell carpet cleaner you will be able to tell that the cleaner overflows with foam that the machine cannot contain. This can cause clogs in the internal components and efficiency decreases and with time malfunctions can occur.

Sticky Residue

Sometimes you can discover that your carpet remains sticky after washing and washing off water and solution with your carpet. This sticky layer underlying the carpet surface tends to hold the dirt and dust particles which makes your carpet get dirty faster.

Possible Machine Damage

The excess foam and deposit can clog internal parts of your Bissell machine or worse, lead to overheating. This can in turn affect suction power, water pick up or lead to total damage of the motor.

Coring or Fading of Carpets

Bleach alternatives and brighteners contained in Tide can bleach or fade carpets particularly those that are made from woolen fabrics. I also discovered that, whenever you use Tide often, the fibers might be destroyed, and this might lead to the early deterioration of your carpet.

What can you use in your Bissell Carpet Cleaner

As to be more effective and safe for your carpet and Bissell cleaner, it is recommended to use only the Bissell cleaner solution. These are specifically manufactured for use with carpet cleaners, and are (ideally) formulated to work effectively without leaving behind any deposit which could potentially harm your carpet cleaner.

Bissell Professional Pet Urine Eliminator: Ideal for homes with pets, this formula is useful for knocking out pet smells inclusive of urine smell.

Bissell Deep Clean + Antibacterial Formula: This cleaning solution does more than clean your carpets; it also kills bacteria that may be present in your living space.

Bissell Oxy Stain Destroyer: Most appropriate for stains such as wine, coffee, mud, etc. The oxygen-based formula goes deep into the carpet fibers and invades the stains to eliminate them.

Bissell 2X Allergen Cleansing Formula: Specifically suitable for households that have an individual that develops allergies, this formula cleans the carpet while eliminating the allergens.

All these formulas do not form much foam which means that your machine will run the correct way without clogging up with too many bubbles. They are also very delicate on the carpet pile, so all your carpets will remain soft and clean without getting ruined.

Other Cleaning Solutions That You Can Use When Using Your Bissell Carpet Cleaner

In this case, if you are specifically interested in machines other than those produced directly by Bissell, here are some other approaches for getting your carpets cleaned. Simply be careful to choose one which is specifically labeled to be used in carpet cleaners.

Hoover carpet cleaning is yet another Cleaning Solution

Hoover has carpet cleaning solutions that can be used with almost any carpet cleaning machine including the Bissell brand. There are models like Hoover Deep Clean Max which provide powerful deep cleaning without creating too much foam.

Rug Doctor Cleaning Solutions

Another well known brand is the Rug Doctor which produces the shampoo for use in professional-style machines. They have created their products with focus on the cleaning capabilities and they are safe for home carpet cleaners.

 DIY Carpet Cleaning Solutions

For those who don’t want to go big on purchasing approved cleaning solutions, they can develop their solution using white vinegar and water. A popular solution is mixing equal parts white vinegar and warm water. For a nice smell you can also put in a few drops of essential oil. If your carpet uses a color safe solution, it will not leave any residue, not as the Tide.

Nevertheless, prior to using any home remedy on the carpet, ensure you put a test on a hidden area of the carpet.

How to Clean Carpets Without Damaging Them

Whether you’re using a Bissell carpet cleaner or any other machine, here are a few tips for ensuring your carpets are cleaned effectively without causing damage:

Pre-Treat Stains

Spray the carpet with pre-treatment after that vacuum it to start the process of deep cleaning the carpets. Some cleaning solutions are presented with spot treatments that help to reduce the strength of the stain that is difficult to remove before using the main cleaning method.

 Get the Right Proportion of the Solution

There are more common errors such as over-wetting the surface with a cleaning solution. Extra detergent only spoils the carpet by leaving a sticky layer and washing is also harder on the carpets. Always make sure that your carpet cleaning solution while providing a right balance of being effective and safe thus ensure that you follow instructions of the amount to use as recommended.

Rinse Your Carpet

In case you are done washing your carpet with the solution, you can try doing it with just plain water. This assists in washing out any remaining detergent that otherwise would accumulate on the carpet making it hardy and sad.

Don’t Over-Wet the Carpet

Some tips that should be followed include one should avoid washing the carpet with a lot of water when using a carpet cleaner. It even becomes detrimental when there is an excess of it because it will cause longer drying time and growth of molds or mildews particularly on the carpet padding.

Allow Proper Drying Time

When washing is done, they should be allowed to dry on their own before stamping on them again. For all who stick to their belongings, they should switch on fans, open windows for air circulation and, best of all, use a dehumidifier. When you step on a carpet that has been wet and cleaned it rubs oils and dust from your shoes onto the new clean carpet.

Final Thoughts

At first, you might be tempted to use Tide or another laundry detergent in your Bissell carpet cleaner and you should not. Gives too much bubbles, remains on fabric and can even mess up your carpet or your washing machine. However, try to use Bissell recommended cleaners or any other carpet cleaners as they are special carpet cleaners that should be used in carpets and carpet cleaning machines.

The use of the right products safeguards your machine as well as the carpet and helps you obtain the optimum cleaning. The best maintenance and cleaning methods will help keep your carpets in good shape and thus improve your home’s outlook.

Frequently Asked Questions