1.7 Million Bissell Steam Cleaners Recalled After 161 Reports of Burn Injuries

Michigan-based Bissell Homecare Inc. is recalling around 1.7 million units of steam cleaners sold across the United States, and 96,000 in Canada, as the products pose a “serious” burn hazard to users.

“This recall involves certain BISSELL Steam Shot OmniReach and Omni handheld steam cleaners with attachments,” the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said in an April 9 statement.

“The recalled steam cleaners’ attachments can unexpectedly detach from the steam cleaners and expel hot water or steam onto users during use.”

The company has already received 206 complaints of steam or hot water unexpectedly escaping from the attachments. This includes 161 reports of burn injuries, with one individual suffering a second-degree burn.

The products were sold nationwide through Target, Walmart, and other department and home-goods stores, as well as online on the company website, Amazon, HSN, and other platforms.

The items, manufactured in China, were sold between October 2024 and March 2026 for around $9 to $55.

CPSC advised customers to immediately stop using the steam cleaner attachments and to contact Bissell for free replacements.

“The affected model numbers are 4155, 4155L, 4155W, 4155G, 4155D, 4155J, 4155Y, 4155P, 4171, 4171L, 4171W, and 4171F,” the statement reads. “The recalled units were sold in green, gray, white, blue, and dark blue.

“Depending on the model, the products include an accessory nozzle, grout brush, round detail brushes, flat scraping tool, and angle concentrator tool, and may also include an extension hose, fabric steamer and steam squeegee. The attachments and the hose are gray in color.”

In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, a Bissell spokesperson said that to find out if a product is part of this voluntary recall, “we ask that you visit bissell.com/productsafety and enter the model number of the product into the Model Number: search field.”

On its website, Bissell published step-by-step instructions for customers to follow to get their free replacement.

First, people need to confirm that their steam cleaner’s model number is included in the recall. The model number can be found on the product rating label sticker at the bottom of the cleaner. If the model number is under recall, customers should gather all affected attachments of the machine and place them in the household trash.

Then, customers should take a photo showing all attachments inside the trash container.

Next, people should fill out a form on the company website or contact Bissell at 1-855-417-7001 to request new attachment kits.

“Do not dispose of the machine, water tank cap, and measuring cup of your Steam Shot OmniReach or Steam Shot Omni Steam Cleaner, as those parts are not affected. Your free new attachment kit will include attachments that are blue and black in color, and a water tank cap and measuring cup to ensure your set is complete,” the company said in the CPSC statement.

“Timing may vary, but estimated delivery is usually within 4–5 weeks.”

Once the attachments are received, customers should review the instructions before installing and using the attachments with the steam cleaners.

Steam cleaners clean targeted areas by pushing pressurized water vapor. When the vapor hits the areas, the dirt or stains get loosened. In addition, steam cleaners can kill microbes.

In a Jan. 2 report, consumer advocacy group Consumer Reports assessed the claim that steam cleaners can kill pathogens.

Paula Cannon, a professor of microbiology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, told Consumer Reports that such cleaners can kill viruses since these microbes are very susceptible to heat.

Alexandra Seguin, lead infection preventionist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, suggested that temperatures in the steam cleaner need to be above 160 degrees Fahrenheit to eliminate the most common household germs.

At temperatures between 175 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit, most germs get completely exterminated, provided these temperatures are maintained for a sufficient time.

However, using steam cleaners on floors continuously for several minutes can end up causing damage to the floors, Consumer Reports said.