I spent 2 weeks testing the Shark StainForce spot cleaner — and it's a game changer if you have kids or pets

No matter how hard you try to keep a clean and tidy home, it’s impossible to avoid making a mess. Accidents happen, and even the most careful will sometimes walk in with muddy shoes, knock over a glass of red wine, or spill a TV dinner on the couch. And that’s not even counting the inevitable messes that come with family life — especially with toddlers or pets creating their own special kind of chaos.

Even if you have one of the best vacuums for cleaning carpets and hard floors, it won’t be enough to remove tough stains — that’s where a specialized tool comes in. You could buy a carpet cleaner to freshen up your flooring, but that’s another bulky appliance to store, and it’s not nimble enough to tackle small stains on a dining chair or inside your car. This is where a small handheld spot cleaner, like the Shark StainForce can help. It gives you the flexibility to clean up those little spills with precision and removes what Shark refers to as "Stainxiety".

The portable spot cleaner was launched in September, and if my first impressions are anything to go by, it will be particularly popular with parents and pet owners.

Shark StainForce: Price and availability

The Shark StainForce is available for $199 at Amazon and for the same price at Walmart, and Wayfair. It’s more expensive than Bissell’s Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Deep Cleaner, which is currently reduced from $123 to $99 at Amazon, and Hoover’s CleanSlate Plus Portable Carpet + Upholstery Spot Cleaner Machine, with is currently reduced from $119 to $110 at Amazon.

The unit comes with a cleaning spray, but you will need to purchase refills once it runs out. Some reviewers have complained at the cost, so if your household makes a lot of spills, it's something to consider. You can currently buy the Dual-formula spray for $14 at Amazon.

Shark StainForce: Set up

The Shark StainForce is very easy to set up and comes neatly packaged. The hardest part is figuring out how to use it correctly the first time — but more on that later.

Once it’s unpacked, there’s not much to do besides aligning the stain tool with the dirty water tank until it clicks into place. The unit also needs to be charged before use, which takes up to four hours. It’s a small detail, but I really liked how the magnetic charging connector snaps into place on the device — it’s oddly satisfying.

Shark also recommends running a Self-Wash cycle before using the unit for the first time. I found the instructions a bit confusing at first because I couldn’t locate the “caddy” that needs to be filled with water. As it turns out, it’s actually part of the housing where the main appliance is stored. I had assumed it was fixed, but it can be released by pressing a tab on the side.

To run the Self-Wash, simply fill the compartment with water up to the maximum line, insert the cleaning tool, and turn the unit on. Once the cycle is complete, make sure to empty the dirty water tank before storing the device.

The tool also includes a spray bottle, which comes in two parts. Just twist off the cap on the refill (there are two), then attach the spray head securely on top.

Once everything’s assembled, you can place and store it all in the caddy: the device and spray bottle sit on either side, with the spare crevice tool sits in the center.

Shark StainForce: Design

I really like the design of the Shark StainForce, and I love that it comes with a handy caddy. It keeps everything in one place, so you can just grab it and go whenever a stain emergency strikes. No need to gather up your supplies — it’s all right there when you need it.

The version I tested features a white and black color scheme with a splash of pink. However, in the U.S. the appliance is available in Sage Green. It has a high-quality feel and a solid weight without being too heavy. Overall, the design feels sturdy and built to last. When reassembling the parts after cleaning, I had no concerns about anything breaking or getting damaged.

The back of the handle is also ergonomically designed to give your thumb a comfortable grip. And while I can’t quite put my finger on any specific reason, it’s just really pleasant to use. In fact, it's quite tempting to 'accidentally' have a spillage as an excuse to use it.

Image credit: Future

Image credit: Future

Image credit: Future

You can also easily see what’s happening inside, thanks to the see-through casing on the dirty water tank. Once opened, you’ll find a hair filter, the motor, and a foam filter — all of which can be quickly released and removed for cleaning.

You also get an additional cleaning tool. The stain tool, which has a square, rectangular end, will likely be your go-to attachment for most cleaning tasks. However, for more detailed work, you can switch to the crevice tool, which is perfect for tighter spaces — like the back of sofas or inside your car.

Shark StainForce: Ease of use

Don’t expect to start using this portable spot cleaner without at least glancing at the user instructions first. But for those of you who are impatient (myself included), the Quick Start Guide should be enough to get you going.

Keep in mind, the cleaning steps differ depending on whether you're dealing with a wet or dry stain, as the first step is not the same for each.

Cleaning wet stains

Step one: Suction up the liquid spill to prevent it from spreading, pulling the appliance back slowly.

Cleaning dry stains

Step one: Scrub the stain back and forth using the bristles or fins on the attachment. Turn on the appliance and extract the dry debris

From This Point On – The Steps Are the Same:

Step two: Spray the cleaning solution generously, saturating the stain and a 2-inch perimeter. Let the solution soak in for a few minutes before spraying again.

Step three: Scrub the stain using the end of the attachment, moving it back and forth.

Step four: Turn on the appliance, tilt it upwards, and pull it back to extract the cleaning solution.

Using the tool

The stain tool at the end of the main attachment can be removed and swapped out. You can choose between bristles, which are ideal for deep cleaning, or fins, which are better suited for more delicate surfaces. You don't have this option with the crevice tool, which just contains bristles.

Shark StainForce: Performance

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Mattress stain

The first time I used the StainForce, I was genuinely impressed. I tested it on a dried-in stain on a mattress — something I didn’t expect to come out. But despite my doubts, it lifted the stain on the first try.

I gave the area a generous soaking with the dual-action spray, and even as I was working, I could see the stain lifting before my eyes. I couldn’t wait to share the results with the rest of the home team.

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Red wine

Red wine is a notoriously tough stain to remove, which made it the perfect test. I used the Shark StainForce on a fresh red wine spill, and as soon as it hit the carpet, I used the suction tool to remove as much of the liquid as possible.

Next, I thoroughly soaked the stain and surrounding area with the spray, let it sit for a few minutes, and repeated the process. I then scrubbed the area using the bristle attachment, and finished by turning the appliance on and pulling it backward to extract the solution.

Despite red wine’s strong pigmentation, I was able to remove the stain completely.

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Coffee stain

Next, I tested the StainForce on a black coffee spill, following the same steps as before. To make things more challenging, I left half of the stain untreated overnight to see if it would be harder to remove — but it didn’t make a difference. It was another stain-busting success.

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Mud marks

Rather than sticking with wet stains, I rubbed some soil into the carpet — something many pet owners can relate to when dealing with dirty paw prints on carpets and couches. For this test, I started by giving the mark a scrub with the bristles on the attachment, working back and forth. Then, I turned on the appliance to remove the loose dirt before applying the cleaning solution to cover the stain, and repeating the process as before. As with the other two previous tests, I found the StainForce successfully removed the stain and left the carpet clean.

I'm not so sure about oil

Although I’ve been impressed with how the StainForce removes red wine, black coffee and mud, I’m not so sure how well it tackles oil-based stains. My son had an epic fail spilling oil onto a fabric dining chair and I couldn’t get it to budge with the StainForce alone. However, when I used a combination of baking soda and dish soap I saw much better results.

I also tried to remove body lotion from a bedroom carpet, and once again, even though it was an old stain, the StainForce didn’t cut through it.

Shark StainForce: Cleaning

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I found the StainForce easy to empty and clean. You can dispose of the dirty solution by lifting a flap on the back of the unit and pouring it out. The entire device can also be disassembled — removing the tool, hair filter, and foam filter. When I did this, I got a real sense of how sturdy and well-engineered the appliance is.

Even the hair filter splits into two parts, making it easier to clean. It’s a small detail, but an impressive one.

In addition to rinsing the parts manually, you can also run a self-clean cycle by placing the unit in the caddy (as I mentioned earlier).

Shark StainForce: Verdict

Overall, I would recommend the Shark StainForce, though I’d be curious to see how other users fare with oil-based stains. That said, it worked wonders on mattress stains, as well as red wine, coffee, and mud. I can see it being a welcome addition to any household with toddlers or pets, where accidental spills are guaranteed.

It’s also a pleasure to use. The device is user-friendly, well-designed, and easy to clean. The caddy is a particularly welcome touch, as keeping everything stored in one place makes it a grab-and-go emergency stain-removal kit.

While the price tag at nearly $200 might put your off, I believe the build quality and thoughtful design justify the investment.