Tested by 
Recently, we’ve been seen a growing trend for homes appliances that can do several things at once (because if we have to do it all, our appliances should, too). Air fryer microwaves, vacuums that steam, multi-cookers... why have three machines, when one will suffice – and take up far less space?
The latest multitasking invention to come through the Good Housekeeping Institute lab is the Shark EveryMess. It may look like a normal spot cleaner, but it’s actually a triple threat: a stain cleaner, dry vacuum and wet vacuum, all in one. That means it can tackle practically any spill, on any surface.
The Good Housekeeping Institute has tested hundreds of cleaning appliances over the years, from vacuums to carpet washers. But did the new Shark EveryMess fare? Here’s our review.
The Shark EveryMess Wet Vac, Dry Vac and Stain Remover – at a glance
Shark EveryMess Portable 3-in-1 Stain Eliminator, Wet Vac & Dry Vac
Shark EveryMess Portable 3-in-1 Stain Eliminator, Wet Vac & Dry Vac
Pros
- Highly effective 3-in-1 stain cleaner, vacuum cleaner and wet vacuum
- Eliminated all stains in our tests including dried-in ones
- Powerful suction – great at extracting pet hair from carpets
- Can be lined with a plastic bag for mess-free emptying
- Lightweight thanks to waterless functionality
Cons
- Spray refills are expensive at £15
- Interior can get quite grubby
It's in the name: the Shark EveryMess is designed to make any mess disappear. You don't have to switch between settings either – there’s just one button to turn on the suction. You also don’t need to fill it with water, because it’s basically a compact, corded, wet-and-dry vacuum cleaner.
Instead, it comes with four attachments for different jobs, and a separate spray bottle of Shark’s ultra-powerful StainForce cleaning solution. To use it as a spot cleaner, simply spray the stain with the solution, scrub it with the StainForce attachment and suck up the dirt.
How we tested the Shark EveryMess
We tested the Shark EveryMess just like the other models in our best spot cleaners roundup – but we did a few extra tests on top of that to try out the other functions. First, we applied common household stains that are notoriously hard to clean up (red wine, coffee, tea and mud) to carpet and upholstery, tackling one batch immediately and leaving another batch of stains to set in for 24 hours.
We assessed how effectively the EveryMess cleaned up both the fresh and day-old stains, noting how many passes it took to get rid of them and how much additional scrubbing was required. We also tried the regular vacuum function on short pile carpet, long pile and hard flooring, seeing how well it picked up everything from biscuit crumbs to trodden-in pet hair. Finally, we vacuumed up some liquids for good measure.
Throughout, our experts also considered overall ease of use, how practical the design was and we had a good look through the instructions to make sure they’re clear and useful, before assigning a final score out of 100 that takes into account all the key factors that matter when shopping.
Our Shark EveryMess review
Here’s how the 3-in-1 cleaner performed in our lab.
Stain removal
“Hands down, the performance is amazing,” enthused our homes tester, Gemma, after testing the Shark EveryMess on a variety of tough stains. Coffee and tea needed “no effort at all”, even after drying for 24 hours. While wine and mud needed a little more scrubbing, they were still relatively easy to lift.
Gemma even successfully cleaned up a days-old coffee stain from a test carpet that had been left over from testing another (less competent) spot cleaner. So if you regularly deal with stains due to pets, children or messy partners, the EveryMess could be invaluable.
Dry vacuuming
Despite its small size, this unit boasts some serious vacuuming power. “The suction was amazing,” said Gemma, in reference to how effectively the EveryMess picked up biscuit crumbs and pet hair. “You could literally see it grabbing it, even when I was moving the head quite fast.”
In fact, we measured an impressive pickup rate of over 94% across all our dry vacuum tests. If you’re a pet owner, this is a great tool for keeping on top of fur and fluff, even if it’s trodden in.
Note that this is a compact unit with short attachments, so it won’t replace your regular vacuum cleaner (unless you want to spend ages on your hands and knees). It’s best for tackling localised mess – think hoovering under the sofa cushions or tidying up the car.
Wet vacuuming
As well as vacuuming dust and fur, the EveryMess can also suck up wet spills such as sauce, baby food, pet urine or leaks. It has a squeegee vacuuming attachment for ensuring the surface is left as pristine as possible – and it did a stellar job of cleaning up tea stains in our testers, leaving our surface dry.
Our expert’s verdict
Here are a few more things our tester, Gemma, had to say about the Shark EveryMess.
- Maintenance – Because this machine can suck up both wet and dry mess and doesn’t use a wet/dirty water tank system, the inside of the machine has a tendency to get quite mucky. However, you can line the caddy with a plastic bag (a regular mini bin liner or shopping bag will do), making emptying it out much easier and more hygienic – but the inside of the lid will still need an occasional clean. The self-clean function flushes grime out of the nozzle, but not the main chamber.
- Instructions – As well as the helpful how-to videos online, Gemma loved the simple instructions on the hose of the machine itself, which mean you’ll never forget how to get the best results for different spills or need to consult a leaflet.
- Mud – Although the EveryMess cleans up mud stains, it does take a bit of scrubbing, which may be down to the fact that the unit doesn’t flush the area with water. Interestingly, we observed the same thing with Shark’s StainForce Cordless Spot Cleaner, which has the same waterless design.
- Noise – This model is on the loud side, likely because of the intense suction power. So, you’ll probably want to avoid collecting pet hair at 11pm.
- Weight – Although this isn't a particularly lightweight unit at 4.67 kilos, it feels much lighter than many other spot cleaners we’ve tried – because it doesn’t get filled up with water.
Final verdict: Is the Shark EveryMess worth it?
Shark EveryMess Portable 3-in-1 Stain Eliminator, Wet Vac & Dry Vac
Shark EveryMess Portable 3-in-1 Stain Eliminator, Wet Vac & Dry Vac
Score: 93/100
“I would highly recommend the Shark EveryMess,” said our hard-to-please homes tester after her rigorous review. Not only is it excellent at removing all kinds of stains from carpets and upholstery, it’s a powerful little vacuum that can suck up both wet and dry grime.
As spot cleaners go, the Shark EveryMess is on the expensive side at £200 – and when the time comes to refill your StainForce spray bottle, those refills aren’t cheap (they’re currently £15 each from Argos). However, when you consider that it negates the need for a handheld vacuum cleaner or even a wet vacuum, you can’t deny the value.
If you have a busy household – particularly one that deals with frequent messes from pets or kids – this unique and versatile cleaner is definitely worth considering. When disaster strikes, you’ll thank yourself for investing.
Jasmine is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s homes writer. With a background in design, she is committed to sorting the good products from the great –and helping Good Housekeeping readers do the same.
Throughout her career, Jasmine has written extensively about product quality, craftsmanship and sustainability, and is passionate about consumer rights. She previously worked as a writer and researcher at the product longevity platform Buy Me Once.
If she isn’t reviewing the latest gadgets for your home, you can probably find Jasmine cooking elaborate meals or crafting something weird and wonderful!
Gemma brings a unique blend of skills to the Good Housekeeping Institute's homes testing team, with a degree in physical product design and experience working in UX research and product management at NBCUniversal’s Hayu. She played a key role in platform projects, including supporting the launch of The Real Housewives of London (the streaming platform's first original show), so she knows a thing or two about efficiency and detail.
Passionate about making shopping smoother and more intuitive, she's on a mission to help consumers feel confident in their purchases, because let’s be honest, no one has time to scroll forever!
