Shark StainForce: A Handy Home Tool You Need

As I’ve discovered multiple times via cleaning products and innovations, “You don’t know what you don’t know”. In other words, if you aren’t aware that a particular product exists, you don’t understand just how much you need it. Sure, I was fine scrubbing stains out of carpet and rugs the old fashioned way, but why continue doing that when there’s a better, easier way? That’s how I felt when trying out the Shark StainForce stain removal product.

As someone who prefers light and neutral colors in my home, I’m used to having to rush to clean stains as soon as they happen. Yet, it never occurred to me that a cordless stain-destroying system might be a helpful tool. Now that I’ve tried and experienced the magic of the Shark StainForce, there’s no going back to hand-scrubbing stains — I’m telling everyone I know that they need one of these handy tools in their home, too.

Shark Stain Force

$199.99 $173.99 from Amazon $199.99 from Best Buy $199.99 from SharkNinja

Unboxing the Shark StainForce

I often get overwhelmed when unboxing new products, finding it a chore to learn what each piece does. This is especially true of unique products like this one, where it’s not as intuitive as simply turning on a vacuum cleaner. However, thanks to the quick start guide included in the box, this process was easier than I’d initially expected. It only took about 10 minutes to learn how the Shark StainForce works and dive into using it.

The first thing I did when unboxing the product was to set up the spray bottle (an integral part of the system). The spray bottle houses the magical stain-fighting solution that you need to make this product work. The Shark StainForce Dual Formula contains a mixture of Shark Deep Clean Max to break down dirt and grime and the Shark Oxy Multiple Max, which helps to neutralize stains. When you press the sprayer, the device mixes these two formulas to attack and remove tough stains.

Setting up the spray bottle is as easy as snapping two pieces together and takes under a minute. Of course, I also made sure to wait four hours to allow the device to fully charge before starting.

Setting Up the Caddy and Assembly

The Caddy assembly is also straightforward. In the Quick Start guide, you’ll find images demonstrating how each piece snaps into the caddy and what the purpose of each piece is. As I was setting up the Shark StainForce, it also occurred to me that this product could be used on car seats and to clean outdoor patio furniture covers (something that is almost always getting stained by outdoor elements).

Once the Caddy part was complete and the device was charged, it was time to put this product to the test. How you choose to get started using the device depends on the type of stain you’re trying to treat: For dry stains, you can get right into scrubbing. For wet stains (you spilled red wine on the sofa, e.g.), you’ll want to extract the spill with the device first.

Using the Shark StainForce

When it’s time to get started using the Shark StainForce for your first spill, you’ll want to look to the Quick Start guide. I found this guide to be especially helpful in the early stages of learning how to use the tool. I first tried this device to clean a spice stain (turmeric) out of my barstools (light grey) in my kitchen, following the dry stain directions.

First, I sprayed the solution, as directed, and allowed that to saturate into the upholstery. Next, I used the device to scrub and agitate the stain, then extracted it with a powerful suction. I was impressed by how easily the product lifted the stain. I also took this device out to my car and removed lots of old stains without having to do any hand-scrubbing at all.

As I used the system, I found the cordless caddy system to be lightweight and easy to carry around my house. Not having to plug and unplug the device across a three-floor home was nice, too. This is great for those dedicated cleaning days where you go floor to floor, tackling anything and everything you see wrong with your home (including stains).

How It Works

Shark Stain Force

$199.99 from Best Buy $199.99 from SharkNinja

The real magic of the Shark StainForce is how it works. The system involves pairing the dual-formula liquid with the suction capabilities of the electronic device. The key here is that you can stop stains in their tracks, treating them fast when they occur (if possible). But, the device also works well for removing older, dried-in stains.

When you turn on the device, the stain-grabbing suction (combined with the cleaning solution) helps to lift stains and make them easier to remove. As a coffee addict, many of the stains I tried removing were coffee stains. My husband also loves to use turmeric on everything, leaving a bright orange stain wherever it goes. I tried removing jello stains on the sofa (bright red, bright orange) and found it worked great for this, too.

Fighting Stains

You can also use the Shark StainForce on random stains. For example, I tried it on this upholstery that seems to have a bunch of stains whose origins I can’t even remember. Once dried, the stains were invisible.

In My Expert Opinion

If you ask me, the Shark StainForce is a handy tool that any home or car owner should have. This tool makes life easier and makes spills so much less stressful. I’ve spent hours trying to scrub tough makeup and food stains out of carpets and upholstery before this product. With this, I feel more confident in my ability to remove stains quickly (and less stressed).

While I personally do not have children or pets, I believe having this tool would be a lifesaver for those who do. In my expert opinion, this is the type of product that’s a long-term investment to have nearby. You may go months without using or needing to use this product, and that’s okay — when you do need to tackle stains, you’ll run for it.