On trial: Shark StainForce Cordless Stain-Destroying Spot Cleaner

With two kids, aged six and three, a clumsy cat and an accident-prone partner, cleaning up spills and stains is a constant feature of my life. So I was excited to try out Shark’s new StainForce cordless spot cleaner to test its ‘stain-destroying’ promise. Would this put paid to my endless scrubbing at ketchup/coffee/felt tip pens/cat-created messes around the house? I was very hopeful.

Unlike the bulky plug-in appliances that are the norm for stain removal, the Shark StainForce is a cord-free, compact powerhouse that’s built for quick grab-and-go use – meaning you can react to spills swiftly. Super lightweight (less than 1.3kg) the Shark StainForce doesn’t require you to fill a water tank before use; instead, it works with a separate spray bottle containing Shark’s StainForce Dual-Formula solution. There’s zero faff – you simply spray the stain, then use the handheld unit to lift and extract it.

When beetroot fell onto the rug in the kitchen (I can’t blame this one on anyone but myself), I simply reached for the Shark StainForce, which did a fantastic job of quickly erasing any sign of it. I also used it on high-traffic areas of our home that take a pounding, such as the carpet up the stairs. The Shark StainForce lifted so much dirt, including pen marks that have been there, immovable, for years.

Anywhere, anytime. The lightweight, cordless design of the Shark StainForce makes it easy to grab and use whenever and wherever there’s a fresh spill or stain. It’s rechargeable, which is great, but as the battery life isn’t the longest you do have to keep an eye on its charge level. But the fact that there’s no need for any set up, mixing or filling of a water tank means you can act fast when a spill happens.

I really like that it’s so easy to clean. When you’ve finished blitzing a spill, the device can be rinsed with water through a self-cleaning cycle in its Grab & Go Caddy. As this is also the unit’s storage base, it means it’s always clean and ready for the next job. 

The Shark StainForce is designed as a spot and spill cleaner rather than for full deep cleans, but it’s really impressed me – especially on the stair carpet, which now looks like new. The only downside is you have to continue to buy the cleaning solution to use with it, but the Shark StainForce is a fantastic bit of kit in a busy household (especially one filled with messy individuals). 

If you have kids, pets or want to keep your carpet or sofas looking pristine, the Shark StainForce is the perfect buy. This is tech that seriously saves you time and effort, leaving you more time to enjoy the good things in life.

★★★★