Bissell Tank-in-Tank Cleaner (Tank Cleaning)
To clean a Bissell Tank-in-Tank machine, unplug it, empty and remove its tanks as the model manual directs, then rinse the recovery tank, lid, and clean-water bladder by approved methods. Remove only accessible debris, use no unapproved cleaners, and let every part air-dry fully before reassembly or storage. Tank layouts and instructions vary by model.
Need a quick way to prevent stale-water odors and avoid damaging your cleaner? Focus on the removable tanks, not the floor: this is equipment care, and the correct steps depend on your model’s manual. When I help a new owner, I first check the model number and manual, then identify which parts can safely come apart.
“Tank-in-Tank” generally describes a clean-water bladder housed within a recovery tank. The arrangement and removal steps can vary, so do not force a part that seems stuck or assume instructions for another Bissell model apply. Use the machine’s manual and the cleaner formula label as your guides.
Surface Prep and Compatible Chemistry
Here, “surface prep” means preparing the machine and work area for safe tank cleaning, not treating a floor. Set the unplugged cleaner near a sink or basin, and have clean water and a place for parts to drain. Use only the water and cleaning products allowed by your specific model’s manual.
The main goal is to remove dirty water, visible soil, and leftover solution without harming tank parts. Bissell does not specify one universal tank-cleaning pH or one temperature limit for every Tank-in-Tank model. Check your manual for water-temperature instructions, and follow the label for any carpet-cleaning formula used in the machine.
Do not pour bleach, vinegar or other acids, solvents, disinfectants, or household cleaners into either tank unless your model’s manual expressly permits them. A product that seems mild can still affect seals or leave residue. Do not use boiling water. If the manual does not name a temperature, do not guess at a maximum.
Before you start:
- Unplug the cleaner. Never clean the tanks while the machine is connected to power.
- Check the model number and the manual’s tank-removal and cleaning instructions.
- Prepare clean water and a clear, stable area for the tanks and lid.
- Keep water away from electrical parts and from components the manual says not to immerse.
- Follow the formula label for the correct solution-to-water ratio when filling the machine for use.
Flooring standards do not set tank-cleaning rules. For example, IICRC S100 concerns textile floor coverings, and S300 concerns upholstery; NWFA and TCNA guidance concerns flooring materials. Those references do not replace your cleaner’s manual for tank care. Next step: confirm which tank parts your model allows you to remove or separate.
Tank and Tool Setup
“Recovery tank” means the tank that collects used cleaning liquid and debris; the clean-water bladder holds the solution you put into the machine. On Tank-in-Tank models, the clean-water bladder sits within the recovery-tank assembly, but the exact removal and separation steps depend on the model.
Start with the machine switched off and unplugged. Empty the recovery tank before trying to remove the assembly. Follow the manual’s instructions to lift out the tanks and separate parts, if allowed. If a latch, lid, or bladder resists, stop and check the diagram rather than twisting or prying it.
| Part or situation | What to do | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery tank | Empty it, then rinse with clean water | Leaving dirty water inside |
| Tank lid | Rinse as the manual allows; check accessible areas for lint or debris | Forcing off pieces not marked as removable |
| Clean-water bladder | Flush only by the method in the model manual | Pulling it free or filling it beyond the stated method |
| Fixed machine parts | Wipe or clean only as the manual directs | Immersing the machine or wetting electrical parts |
| Stubborn residue | Repeat a water rinse if allowed | Adding unapproved chemicals or tools |
Keep small removable pieces together so they do not get lost. Check the lid and tank for obvious buildup, but do not assume that every opening is meant to be scrubbed or disassembled. A soft cloth can help with accessible surfaces if the manual allows it; avoid sharp tools that could scratch or puncture parts.
A common case I walk a first-time owner through is a tank assembly that will not separate after use. The safe response is not to apply more force: empty it, compare its shape and latches with the manual’s illustration, and remove only the parts the manual identifies. Next step: once the approved parts are out, rinse them with clean water.
Cleaning and Rinsing Technique
Rinsing removes visible soil and leftover cleaning solution from the removable parts. Work over a sink or basin, and use clean water at the temperature allowed by your model’s manual. Rinse the recovery tank and lid, then flush the clean-water bladder only as the manual instructs.
- Empty the recovery tank. Dispose of collected liquid according to local requirements and the product directions. Do not leave dirty water sitting in the tank while you clean other parts.
- Rinse the recovery tank and lid. Use clean water to wash away visible soil and solution residue. Pay attention to accessible areas where debris has collected.
- Flush the clean-water bladder correctly. Follow the model-specific method. Some parts may not be designed to separate or rinse in the same way as the recovery tank, so do not improvise.
- Remove accessible debris. Pick out lint or loose material only from parts you can reach without taking apart a non-serviceable component.
- Rinse again if residue remains. Continue with clean water until visible soil and suds are gone, provided the manual permits rinsing that part.
| What you notice | Practical check | Safe response |
|---|---|---|
| Dirty water remains in the tank | Inspect the tank after emptying | Rinse the removable tank and lid |
| Suds or solution residue | Look for visible film after rinsing | Rinse again with clean water |
| Lint or debris | Check accessible areas and openings | Remove loose material without forcing tools inside |
| A part will not come apart | Compare it with the manual’s diagram | Stop; do not pry or twist |
| Odor persists after rinsing | Check for leftover water and damp parts | Repeat approved rinsing, then dry fully |
Do not immerse the cleaner’s body or electrical parts to clean a tank. Do not use a pressure washer, boiling water, or a chemical rinse unless the manual specifically says to. I also avoid treating a lingering smell with bleach or fragrance: those do not replace removing residue and drying the parts. Next step: inspect the rinsed parts, then leave them open to dry.
Tank Drying and Machine Maintenance
“Air-drying” means letting rinsed parts drain and dry naturally while open, rather than sealing them up while damp. Leave the tanks open in a clean, ventilated spot until they are completely dry. The manual does not set one drying time for every home or model, so use dryness—not a guessed number of hours—as your check.
Set the recovery tank, lid, and other removable parts so water can drain from them. Keep them away from dirt and avoid placing them where they could fall or become contaminated. Do not close the tanks for storage while wet. Leftover dirty water or damp storage can contribute to odor and microbial growth inside the tank; this is a tank-hygiene concern, not a claim about damage to flooring.
Before reassembly, check that the parts are dry and that no visible debris remains. Refit them only as shown in the manual. If the cleaner has additional maintenance steps after tank cleaning, follow those instructions too. Do not run the machine with a tank or lid fitted incorrectly.
A second common situation is a cleaner that smells musty after being stored. I check whether the recovery tank was emptied, whether residue remains, and whether the parts were stored closed while damp. Rinsing and full air-drying address the basic tank-care steps; if an odor or performance issue remains, consult Bissell’s model-specific troubleshooting guidance rather than adding a new cleaner to the tank.
Use this simple routine after each use:
- Empty the recovery tank promptly.
- Rinse the removable parts using the approved method.
- Remove only accessible lint and debris.
- Air-dry all parts fully before storage.
- Check the manual for any other after-use maintenance.
There is no single drying-time, solution-ratio, or water-temperature figure that applies to every model. Use the manual and formula label for those details. Next step: store the dry parts as directed and keep the manual handy for the next cleaning.
Conclusion and FAQ
Good tank care is simple: unplug the machine, empty it, rinse approved parts, and let them dry fully before storage. The manual is the authority for your model’s disassembly, water temperature, and bladder-flushing method. Avoid unapproved chemicals, forced disassembly, and wet, closed storage.
How do I clean a Bissell Tank-in-Tank unit?
Unplug it, empty the recovery tank, remove the tanks as the model manual directs, and rinse the removable parts with clean water. Flush the clean-water bladder only by the approved method, then air-dry all parts fully.
Can I use vinegar or bleach to clean the tanks?
No, not unless your model’s manual expressly allows it. Do not add vinegar, bleach, acids, disinfectants, solvents, or household cleaners as a substitute for rinsing.
Should I remove the clean-water bladder from the recovery tank?
Only if the manual for your model says to remove or separate it. Tank designs differ, so do not pull or pry parts apart.
What water temperature should I use?
Follow the temperature limit in your model’s manual. There is no universal maximum for all Tank-in-Tank cleaners, and boiling water should not be used.
How do I flush the clean-water bladder?
Use the method shown in your model’s manual. Do not assume it can be removed, filled, or rinsed in the same way as the recovery tank.
How long should the tanks air-dry?
The manual does not set one drying time for every model and home. Leave the parts open until they are completely dry before reassembly or storage.
Can I store the tanks while they are damp?
No. Leave them open and let them dry fully. Damp, closed storage can encourage odor and microbial growth.
What if the tank will not come apart?
Stop and check the manual’s diagram and instructions. Do not force, twist, or pry tank components that may not be user-removable.
Why does my cleaner’s tank smell?
Leftover dirty water, solution residue, or damp storage may contribute to odor. Empty and rinse approved parts, remove accessible debris, and dry them fully; consult Bissell’s troubleshooting guidance if the odor continues.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Ryan Montgomery. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
