I've never found the smaller machines to be that useful. I've tried the Bissell green machine and the even smaller spot remover machine, but have had better luck with a full-sized Hoover spinbrush for general maintenance cleaning. Having said that, most of the time, I spot treat areas by hand (using various liquids, sprays, etc.) and have found that to be more effective than a machine. Maybe others have had better luck than I have.

I have a full size Hoover steam cleaner. I have tried lots of different cleaning products in it but the best I have found for pets and their accidents is adding soap nuts. It works great and doesn't leave any residue. I have also noticed that you can pick up a good used steam cleaner on craigs list for $50.00 beats the $300 I paid for mine. The formula for using the soap nuts is on www.surviving2010recession.com. Sorry I can't remember what it is. Good luck!

I'm on my second SpotBot, because I think they are great! The first one took great care of the puppy with a sensitive "system". And the second is doing an equally great job with our older dog and just general spot clean ups. I wish I could find a large cleaner with the same kind of results.

I have a spot bot too - works great.

I'm impressed with my new SpotBot for Pet Stains that I bought at Target last month. I use Bissell's OxyGen2 cleaner in it and it gets out the stains my cat leaves when she's trying to bring up a hairball. The only stain it won't get out is the pink stain from when she had just eaten tuna flavored Pounces, (and I have since tossed out the bag...no more red dye foods). The only way I'll get those pink stains out is when I have Stanley Steamer do the entire carpet. The SpotBot is light enough for me to carry around the house (which is a plus!!). You just push the button and it works for 6 minutes cleaning and then suctioning up the moisture. Stains are gone.