How to Use a Steam Vacuum Cleaner

Steam cleaners can be bought outright or rented from convenient locations like supermarkets. The advantages of owning a steam cleaner is that you can wheel it out at a moment's notice if you need it. The disadvantage is that you're responsible for the maintenance and the debris build-up can get pretty disgusting. Either way, they're simple to operate and save money on hiring professional rug cleaners.

Instructions

1. Check the machine is free of hair and all the filters are clear. You should also check the belt that runs between the wheel and the nozzle. On some machines you can see it through a clear plastic housing. If the machine fails to work, failure of the belt or clogged filters are likely causes.

2. Fill the tank or tanks. Use a combination of cleaning formula and hot, but not boiling, water. Boiling water can damage plastic parts. Sometimes the cleaning formula goes in a separate tank. If you see two tanks, then the small one is for the formula. Check the fill lines. They will be embedded in the plastic and are a guide as to how full you should fill the tanks.

3. Replace the tank or tanks if you had to remove to fill.

4. Choose any appropriate settings. Look for dials that say "High Traffic," "Floor Cleaning," "Normal," etc. and choose the one that most aptly describes your application.

5. Plug the machine into a power outlet.

6. Press the button on the handle and push the machine forward, then pull it back. These are wet passes. Release the button and repeat. This time the passes will be dry and are designed to suck up the solution you created in the first, wet passes. You'll see dirty liquid getting sucked up through the clear plastic window.

7. Keep making passes until the liquid becomes clear. Don't oversaturate the carpet because it can take some time to dry.

8. Clean the filters when you've finished.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a warm, dry day to use your steam cleaner. Good weather conditions will speed drying. Allow the carpet to dry before walking on it.

References

• Bissell Steam Cleaner User Guide