- 1). Remove furniture from the area to be cleaned, so the steam vac will have free access to all areas of the carpeted floor. If you wish to spot clean the high traffic areas only, push or move all furniture away from these areas. If you encounter furniture that is too heavy to safely move, place a small, folded square piece of aluminum foil or wax paper beneath the feet of the furniture. This precautionary measure will prevent wood finishes from leeching into the carpet, as well as metal finishes from rusting and leaving a stain. Adjust or secure furniture skirts and all draperies so they do not touch the floor.
- 2). Vacuum the area to be cleaned thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner that has an agitator brush. For best results, also vacuum the furniture upholstery within the room with a vacuum cleaner using a crevice attachment, so you can reach all hidden areas in the furniture. This will prevent dust from the furniture from settling on the damp carpeting when you are finished.
- 3). Pretreat areas of the carpet that contain spots or stains, such as high traffic areas, with steam cleaner-approved spot and stain remover. "Steam cleaner-approved" simply means that it has a non-foaming chemical composition. Spray on the spot and stain remover, and let it soak in while you prepare the steam vac for use.
- 4). Leave the steam vac unplugged from the electrical outlet. Be sure the machine is in the upright position with the handle locked. To lock the handle, push it so that it is in the upright position, you will hear it click into place. Remove the water tank by pressing down on the tank release tab located on the front of the machine. Pull the tank forward and up, then transport the empty tank to a sink or bathtub.
- 5). Rotate the tank cap in a counterclockwise direction 1/4 turn, then lift up to remove the cap from the tank. Turn the cap upside down, and you will see measuring lines on the outside of the cap, so it may be used as a measuring cup. Fill the cap with the appropriate amount of carpet/upholstery detergent, as per the manufacturer's instructions.
- 6). Pour the measured detergent into the tank. Fill the tank with hot water to the "fill" line visible on the outside of the tank (approximately 1 gallon). Replace the tank cap, and turn it 1/4 turn clockwise to tighten it. Insert the water tank into the machine bottom end first, and push it firmly in place until the tank release tab locks (snaps) into place.
- 7). Dry your hands, then plug the power cord into a properly grounded 3-prong electrical outlet. Step on the handle release tab with your foot, then pull the handle toward you until it is in a comfortable position. Turn the machine on using the on/off switch located on top of the handle.
- 8). Squeeze the spray trigger to release cleaning fluid while slowly pushing the machine forward. Continue squeezing the trigger and slowly pull the machine back to where you started. This completes two wet cleaning strokes. Release the trigger, then repeat that process without squeezing the trigger. These two dry strokes help absorb excess moisture from the carpet.
- 9). Continue the wet and dry strokes until the carpet has been cleaned. Don't forget to clean the areas that were sprayed with carpet/upholstery detergent. To empty the water collection tank, turn off the machine and unplug it. Step on the handle release tab, then lower the handle as far as it will go. Rotate the water collection tank latches outward on each side of tank. Lift the tank off the machine, and take it to a sink or bathtub to drain it. Replace the empty tank, and raise the handle to the locked position. You are now ready to refill the water tank with clean water and resume cleaning.
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