I Put Shark’s New Cordless Stain Cleaner to the Test on My Stained Rug, and Here’s What Happened

Whenever I’ve just spilled something on a rug, chair, or sofa, I’m filled with instant dread. Not just because I’ve made a mess, but also because it’s going to be a whole production to get the spot out — starting with lugging out a dedicated spot and stain cleaner that needs to be filled with clean water, and then having to clean out the dirty water later. 

So when I found out about the new Shark StainForce Cordless Lightweight Spot & Stain Cleaner that has a storage caddy and crevice tool, and requires no water tank or cords, I was intrigued and knew I needed to give it a try. 

At under seven pounds, the Shark StainForce Cordless Lightweight Spot & Stain Cleaner really is one of the lightest spot cleaners on the market. It measures 17.8 inches long, 3.1 inches wide, and 3.9 inches high; is completely cordless; and fits all together in a storage caddy, so you can easily bring it wherever you need it to go and tuck it away under a cabinet after. It has no water tank to fill up, and has a self-cleaning feature that’s easy to use. 

But don’t let its size fool you — it may be small, but it’s still a really powerful cleaner. The Shark StainForce has two tools: a strong suction stain eliminator tool with reversible bristles that you use to scrub, agitate, and lift away fresh or old stains, and a crevice tool to get into any hard-to-reach spaces. It also comes with a separate dual formula spray that activates when it mixes together and breaks down any stain and odor it touches. 

The Shark StainForce Cordless Lightweight Spot & Stain Cleaner is unlike any other spot and stain cleaner I’ve tested. Here’s what makes it stand out.

One of the biggest issues with spot cleaners is that they can be quite bulky. But the Shark StainForce is anything but that. The lightweight cleaner sits in a portable storage caddy and requires no cords to operate. It’s perfect for small spaces because you can put it under a cabinet or on a shelf in a closet. 

I’ve used the Shark StainForce a number of times — most recently on a runner rug that had a mysterious stain. Using the provided dual formula cleaning solution, I sprayed the stain and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Shark recommends letting the solution sit for a couple of minutes for newer stains and at least five minutes for older stains. For tougher, more stubborn stains, though, you may have to use the device more than once — but wait at least 24 hours between uses.

Then, I used the stain eliminator tool with reversible bristles to scrub and agitate the stain before sucking it up, making sure to tilt the suction so it’s fully on top of the stain and slowly pull back. It lifted up with ease after a few passes.

Cleaning and putting away the Shark StainForce is easy, too. While there’s no water tank to fill up, you still have to empty out the gunk that’s pulled up and clean the tools you used.

When you want a quick clean, use the self-cleaning feature. All you have to do is empty the tank using the quick pour door, take and fill the self-wash caddy cup with water up to the max fill line, and then put it back in the storage caddy, insert the Shark StainForce into the caddy (with the stain eliminator stool still on and faced down), and click the power button. Once it’s thoroughly cleaned and all the water has been sucked up from the cup to the device, you can remove it and turn the power off. Open the quick pour door again and drain the water.

When you want a thorough clean, you will have to separate each component and rinse them in water (you can use soapy water for the tank and motor). Let it all air dry before putting it back together.

Buy: Shark StainForce Cordless Lightweight Spot & Stain Cleaner, $199.99