Work from the top down on any area so dirt will not fall on cleaned surfaces.  Start with cleaning corners and other tight areas first with the nozzle and small brushes, working your way up to larger surfaces and brushes. The temperature of the steam at the tip of the nozzle is between 205ºF - 220ºF, but since the vapor is so dry, it cools to under 100ºF, 9-10 inches from the tip.  Using a towel clipped to the large rectangular or triangular brush allows you to control cleaning temperatures.  Use this method to regulate the temperature you apply to surfaces where heat is a concern, like paint, wood, plastic, etc.

Which Tool Should I Use Where?

Quick links | Kitchen | Bathroom | Bedroom | Living Room | Auto | Miscelleaneous

KITCHEN

Floors – Pre-vacuum or sweep up large dirt and dust particles. Use the large rectangular brush with clipped on diapered double towel at low/medium steam volume. If you use the extension wands, insert one wand into the other making sure the lengthwise lines on them are all lined up with each other on each piece. This will make sure that the wands remain securely fastened. They should click easily into place. Click the extension wands into the hose handle. Keep a bucket available to put dirty towels into.

• Tile – Remove and refold doubled towel to clean side so that towel is absorbing dirt not pushing it around. If floor is very dirty, use the rectangular brush without attached towels, but mop dirt immediately as you go with a spare cotton towel.

• Vinyl or Wood – Use the large rectangular brush with diapered doubled towel at low steam volume. Use extension wands as needed. Spray area lightly with cleaner such as Murphy’s Oil Soap if especially dirty. Work rapidly and lightly to avoid taking shine off floor. Go over area two or three times if heavily soiled and remove and change side of towel to a clean side. NOTE: WHEN STEAMING A WOOD FLOOR, NEVER LET BRUSH STAND IN ONE PLACE WHILE STEAM TRIGGER IS ON. ALWAYS KEEP BRUSH MOVING.

• Waxed Vinyl Floors - Use large floor brush and incorporate the 3-inch round brush, if necessary, in corners and tight areas.  Clip a clean cotton towel over the large floor brush.  Apply steam, cleaning a small area quickly as you go.  This should melt a top layer of wax holding the dirt in the pores of the floor.  If the floor is greasy or very dirty, you may need to repeat this procedure, or use a cleaning formula if desired.

• Unwaxed Vinyl Floors - Use the large floor brush with, clip on towel pull trigger every 3 to 5 seconds to keep towel heated. Use a back and forth motion. NOTE: DO NOT OVERHEAT ANY KIND OF VINYL, SINCE THIS COULD SOFTEN THE SURFACE AND AFFECT THE TEXTURE.  THIS ALSO APPLIES WHEN USING SMALL BRUSHES TO REMOVE TOUGH SPOTS. 

• Wood Parquet Floors - Use large rectangle brush with a cotton towel clipped over it and squeeze trigger every 3 to 5 seconds.  Move quickly to avoid heat or moisture buildup in wood.  Use Murphy’s wood cleaner for dirty floors.

• Marble Floors - Use the same techniques as used for wood floors, keeping heat and moisture off the surface as much as possible. Always use Marble conditioner after cleaning. NOTE: SOME MARBLE SURFACES CAN DISCOLOR.

• Sink – Use the 3” nylon bristle round brush or small triangular brush with the 3 hole nozzle. Attach to the hose handle. Use separate towel to mop up loosened dirt. For tough stains, you can pre-spray surface with natural bleaching agent.

• Stovetop – Make sure stovetop and burners are cool to the touch. Use the 3” nylon bristle round brush or small triangular brush with the 3 hole nozzle. Attach to the hose handle. Use separate towel to mop up loosened dirt. Can use the 1 inch nylon round brush attached to the 1 hole nozzle for cleaning burners.

• Oven Interior – Make sure oven is cool to the touch. Use the 1” brass bristle round brush with the 1 hole nozzle. Attach to the hose handle. Use separate towel to wipe up loosened dirt. DO NOT SCRUB SURFACE. THIS MAY DAMAGE THE ENAMEL. 

Countertops

1. Method 1 - Use 3-inch round with 3 hole nozzle in slow, back and forth movements to cover area being cleaned.  Wipe with clean cotton towel.

2. Method 2 - Use the large triangular brush with diapered doubled towel. Attach to the hose handle. Heat towel 3 to 5 seconds.  Clean surface using back and forth movements.     

Cabinet or Drawer Facings – Use the large triangular brush with diapered doubled towel. Attach to the hose handle. Use extension wands as needed to extend your reach.
Optional: You can spray some favorite citrus or other cleaner on the cabinet face first for extra shine. For wood facings, spray with cleaner such as Murphy’s Oil soap.

Corners/Crevices – Use the 1 hole nozzle attached to the hose handle to blow out dirt. Catch dirt with a spare cotton towel to prevent it from spraying everywhere. Use extension wands as needed.

Refrigerator – Please remove food, bins and shelves from the refrigerator before cleaning the interior.

• Exterior Surfaces – Use the large triangular brush with an diapered double towel. Attach to the hose handle.

• Interior Surfaces – Use the 3” nylon bristle round brush or small triangular brush with the 3 hole nozzle. Attach to the hose handle. Use separate towel to wipe up loosened dirt.

• Door Moldings – Use the 1” nylon bristle round brush with the 1 hole nozzle. Attach to the hose handle. Use separate towel to mop up loosened dirt.

• Defrosting Freezer – Use the 1” nylon bristle round brush with the 1 hole nozzle. Attach to the hose handle. Use separate towel to mop up water.

Dishwasher – Use the 1 hole nozzle, clean out corners and edges.  For light scrubbing, add the 1” round nylon brush.  For larger surfaces, use the 3 “ round or small triangle brush with 3 hole nozzle, using back and forth movements over area being cleaned.  Wipe clean with a spare cotton towel.

BATHROOM

Mirrors/Glass/Windows – Use the large triangular brush with doubled towel or the window squeegee tool on a low steam setting. Attach to the hose handle.  Use wands to extend your reach if needed. Follow up if necessary by turning off steam and re-squeegee window, wipe with lint free microfiber cloth.
CAUTION: DO NOT USE THE BRUSH IN A CONCENTRATED AREA FOR MORE THAN TWO OR THREE SECONDS, GLASS COULD BREAK.

Deep cleaning glass/window frame: Use small triangle move in back and forth motion quickly. Then use squeegee or a clean with lint free towel to dry window.

CAUTION!  ALWAYS PREHEAT GLASS WITH THE SQUEEGEE 2-3 INCHES FROM SURFACE BEFORE CLEANING!  DO NOT CLEAN GLASS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING POINT!  NEVER CLEAN A GLASS THAT HAS A CRACK!

Window Sills and Thresholds – Use the small nylon nozzle brush with 1 hole nozzle. Use a medium steam setting. Attach to the hose handle.  Use the extension wands if you need to extend your reach. If these areas are very dirty wipe up dirt and debris with disposable paper towels.

Window Frame

1. Painted wood and plastic - Use nozzle with detail brush.  Place 1 towel around the brush and wipe frame.  Or use same technique as MOLDINGS.

2. Aluminum - Use 1” brass brush directly on the surface to remove dirt and to polish. Wipe with towel.

Window Screens – Use the large triangular brush with doubled towel or the window squeegee tool on a low steam setting. Attach to the hose handle.  Use the extension wands if you need to extend your reach. Do both sides of the screens working top to bottom. Remove and reattach a clean area of the towel to the brush if the towel becomes too dirty.

Toilet – Use the small triangular brush with the 3 hole nozzle for the exterior. Use the 1” nylon bristle round brush with the 1 hole nozzle for cleaning inside the rim. Start from the top of the toilet and work down to the base.  Use the 1” nylon bristle round brush with the 1 hole nozzle for cleaning inside the rim. Be sure to clean the floor up to 2 feet around the toilet to kill odor-causing bacteria. DO NOT PUT THE BRUSH OR HOSE HANDLE UNDER WATER.

Faucets – Use the 3” nylon bristle round brush or small triangular brush with the 3 hole nozzle. Attach to the hose handle. Use low steam volume. Wipe dry with a spare cotton or microfiber towel as you go.

Bathtub/Shower

• Fiberglass  – Pre-spray the area with a non-toxic cleaning fluid. For crevices use the small triangular brush with the triple nozzle without towel attached to the hose handle and wipe up the released dirt with a spare cotton towel as you go. Use large triangle brush with diapered towel on walls of tubs with extension wands if needed. 

• Ceramic– Use the larger triangular brush. Attach a diapered towel. Use a low steam setting in order to avoid scratching surface. Attach to the hose handle. Use extension wands if you need to extend your reach.

• Shower door – Use the large triangle brush. Attach a diapered towel. Wipe surface dry with a spare cotton or microfiber towel as you go.  Lightly applying lemon juice assists in naturally removing mineral deposits or soap scum. CAUTION: DO NOT USE THE BRUSH IN A CONCENTRATED AREA FOR MORE THAN TWO OR THREE SECONDS, GLASS COULD BREAK.

• Tile Grout – Use the 1” nylon bristle round brush with the 1 hole nozzle. Attach to the hose handle. Add extension wands as needed to extend your reach. Pre-spraying the grout crevices with a non-toxic cleaner will help loosen dirt before applying steam. Wipe released dirt with a spare cotton towel as you go.

• Silicone Sealant – Use the 1 hole nozzle, no closer than one-inch, use back and forth movement blowing out debris.
  NOTE:  DO NOT OVERHEAT SEALANT.  IF MOLD AND MILDEW DOES NOT COME OFF WHILE CLEANING, HEAT WILL KILL THE GROWTH.

BEDROOM

Carpet

Eliminate dust mites and mold spores. You can pre-treat stubborn stains (see “spot cleaning” in Miscellaneous section below) with a non-toxic cleaner to loosen spot. Blast surface dirt with single nozzle (no brush) sideways into a spare cotton towel. Put the floor brush cover on the large rectangular brush covering the bristles. Use a low to medium steam setting. Move slowly over the carpet allowing time for deep penetration of the carpet fibers. Use double or triple diapered towel if the surface seems to be getting too wet. Vacuum up loosened dirt immediately from dirt now available in fibers loosened by steaming. Air out to dry. (Refer to instructional video)
 
Always VACUUM carpet first!  Always TEST an area for discoloring before cleaning!  Some carpets are made with vegetable dyes, which are not “set” by boiling — the color can bleed from too much heat and moisture.

Man made carpet fibers melt at temperatures 300ºF and above.  The heat from the vapor system

does not melt the fibers, but it can change their shape at temperatures 185ºF-250ºF - use method described in first paragraph of “Work Techniques” to regulate the heat.

• Industrial type - Use rectangular brush, 2 inches above carpet, and pre-steam a 6x6 foot area.    The steam causes the dirt and soil particles to loosen their grip on the carpet fibers and opens up the fibers. Then use the rectangular brush with 2 towels on medium pressure and go over pre-steamed area with same movements as when you vacuum.  Change towels when dirty.  Repeat these steps if necessary.  Move on to next area.

• Stain resistant - The heat from the steam can remove the chemicals that make the carpet stain resistant at temperatures between 150ºF - 200ºF.  If the carpet is heavily soiled, the stain resistance is already gone and the carpet should be re-treated after it is cleaned. Use same technique as INDUSTRIAL TYPE carpet, but do not stay on one spot too long.

• Non-colorfast - Use nozzle 2” - 4” above carpet and shoot steam from the side with quick side-to-side movements, lengthwise and crosswise.  Hold a towel to the side to catch all dirt particles as they blow out of the carpet.  Do not get closer than 2” with the nozzle.  Fluff up the fibers evenly with a dry towel.

• Delicate carpets (not recommended for silk) - Use rectangular brush with diapered towel.  Preheat towels and wipe with no steam.  Wait a few minutes.  To dry, use the large triangle brush with 1 towel, without steam, and wipe with vertical and diagonal strokes.

Mattress – Eliminate dust mites. Use the large triangle brush diapered with a triple towel at a low steam setting. Move quickly over the mattress and go over each area more than once to ensure complete and thorough elimination of dust mites. Mattress should be slightly damp to the touch but not wet. Air dry the mattress before putting bed linens back on the mattress.

Clothing – Use the large triangular brush (no towel) with at a low steam setting. Apply steam 12 inches from clothes. Test an inconspicuous area of the clothing for colorfastness first before continuing. Clothing should be slightly damp to the touch but not wet. Air dry the clothing.

LIVING ROOM

Walls, painted trim or molding – Use a low steam setting with the large triangular brush with a doubled or tripled diapered towel. Pretest an inconspicuous area to be cleaned for paint thickness since it is easy to take paint off walls. ALWAYS USE A CLIPPED ON TOWEL FOR PAINTED SURFACES.

Wallpaper

• Washable - If surface is heavily soiled, presteam surface or spray the towel with a cleaning formula. Follow up with a clean towel to remove soap residue. If wallpaper is textured, presteam 2” off surface.  Wipe with towel.  Do not stay on one spot too long.

• Deep Cleaning - If surface is heavily soiled, presteam surface or spray the towel with a cleaning formula. Follow up with a clean towel to remove soap residue. If wallpaper is textured, presteam 2” off surface.  Wipe with towel.  Do not stay on one spot too long.

• Non-Washable - Use large triangle brush with 1 towel.  Preheat towel and wipe with no steam.  Move quickly with smooth strokes.  Do not stay on one spot too long.

• Removing - Use diapered triangle start in one corner hold in one spot for 5 to 10 seconds. Pull corner out start peeling back while moving diapered triangle slowly back and forth.

     
Painted walls and ceilings           

CAUTION:  THE HEAT MAY REMOVE SOME PAINT IF IT IS THIN.

• Oil Paint - Use large triangle brush with 1 towel, steam and wipe.  Do not stay on one spot too long.  Use extension tubes to reach ceilings.

• Latex Paint - Use large triangle brush with 1 towel.  Preheat towel and wipe with no steam.  Do not apply pressure.  Move quickly with smooth strokes.  Or use nozzle about 5” off surface to presteam spot.  Do not get surface too wet.  Wipe gently with towel.

Tracks, Moldings

• Tracks - Use one hole nozzle with detail brush.  Wipe cleansed area with towel.

• Moldings - Use single-hole nozzle.  Hold the nozzle in one hand and a towel in the other hand.  Move the nozzle and towel at the same time in one direction, blowing the dirt into the towel.  Hold the nozzle parallel to surface.  Move quickly.  Wipe with dry towel.

Blinds – Use only on metal blinds. Close blinds. Use a low steam setting with the large triangular brush with a doubled diapered towel attached. Work gently in a horizontal direction. NOTE: NOT FOR USE ON VINYL BLINDS

Slats

• Dusting - Open blinds and use 1-hole nozzle to blow dust onto window.

• Deep Cleaning - Close blinds with top of slats facing you.  Use large triangle brush with one towel.  Wipe side-to-side from the top down.  To reach the whole slat spread the slats with the other hand while wiping.  Close the blinds from the opposite direction and clean from the bottom up.  Keep changing towels until clean.  If needed, prespray the blinds with cleaning formula.

Strings - Pull the blind all the way up.  Wipe the string with a towel wet with cleaning formula.  Pull the string slowly through a detail brush.

Hardwood floors – Use on sealed wood only. Use the large rectangular brush with clipped on diapered double towel at low/medium steam volume. If you use the extension wands, insert one wand into the other making sure the lengthwise lines on them are all lined up with each other on each piece. This will make sure that the wands remain securely fastened. They should click easily into place. Click the extension wands into the hose handle. Keep a bucket available to put dirty towels into.

Upholstery – Use the large rectangular brush or large triangle brush with diapered towel, heat towel 3 to 5 seconds at low steam setting.  Pretest an inconspicuous area and work quickly and lightly especially if fabric has Scotch Guard. Clean furniture using back and forth movement.  If material seems to be getting too wet, cut steam off.  Reheat towel as needed. NOTE: ALWAYS CHECK AREA FOR SCOTCH GUARDING.

• Leather – DO NOT CLEAN INTERIOR LEATHER FURNITURE WITH STEAM.

• Vinyl - Using 1-hole nozzle, blow out cracks and crevasses.  Use appropriate brush.

Carpets – See “carpets” in Bedroom section above.

Windows – See “mirrors/glass/windows” in Bathroom section above.

AUTO

Open the car windows or doors to let the steam escape while you are cleaning.

Wheels – Use large triangular brush at medium steam volume and vigorously brush dirt away. Use smaller tools for crevices if needed to finish job.

Carpets and Upholstery – See “carpets” and “upholstery” in Bedroom section above.

a. Leather interior - Using 1-hole nozzle, blow out cracks and crevasses.  Clean the same as
UPHOLSTERY in “bedroom” section. Leather interior in cars is made to handle moisture and fine to steam clean, unlike residential leather furniture.

Windows – See “mirrors/glass/windows” in Bathroom section above.

Air Conditioning or Heating Vents – Turn OFF air conditioning or heating. Put down a large towel under the vents on the floor and cover the seats. Use the 1 hole nozzle (no brush) attached to the hose handle and insert nozzle tip into the vent. Spray the steam into each vent to clean out the passageways. Wipe up the residue with a spare cotton or microfiber towel. To finish job, turn on air conditioning to dry out vents.

Dashboard – Use the small triangular brush with the 3 hole nozzle. Wipe immediately with a microfiber cloth.

MISCELLANEOUS

Cleaning and Sanitizing Bird or Pet Cages – Pre-vacuum the cage. Use the 1-inch round brass bristle brush with 1 hole nozzle attached to the hose handle. When done steam cleaning. Rinse the cage and towel it dry.

Deck – Use the large floor brush uncovered at low steam volume. Increase volume on tough areas. Rinse with a garden hose.

Golf Clubs  – Use the small nylon nozzle brush with 1 hole nozzle. Scrub lightly and wipe with cotton microfiber towel immediately.

Spot Cleaning for Carpets – We do not recommend this steam cleaner for cleaning large carpeted areas but rather for spot cleaning.

Do not apply nozzle directly on to the spot — this keeps the heat from exceeding 180ºF - 185ºF, which can chemically “set” protein-based and food dye stains onto the fibers.  Once a stain is set, it is hard to remove. To remove a set stain, treat it first with a proper cleaning formula, then see below – and then follow up with the above procedure.

• Protein Stain: Dab with towel dampened with a solution of 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1 quart of cold water.

• Food Dye Stain: Wet stain with a solution of water and lemon juice or white vinegar.

• Water Stain: First wet the stain with carbonated water, and then use triangular brush with towel.

• Reoccurring Stain: If a stain comes up again and again, it has a “reservoir” under the padding. Before removing the stain you have to dry it out first.  Press a drying agent such as talcum powder, a mixture of cornstarch and cornmeal, or clean unscented, uncolored cat litter into the fibers — do not rub.  Let sit for 20 minutes, and then vacuum it out.

• Surface Stain: If the stain is only on the surface of the carpet, it can be removed by shooting the steam against the spot from the side, 1”-2” above surface.  Hold a towel on the other side to catch the residue.  This prevents driving the particles deeper into the fibers.

• Gum: Same technique as SURFACE STAIN, except use paper towel instead of cotton towel.  If the gum melts too much, let it cool off before trying again. Once major part of gum is removed mist with a non-toxic cleaning formula and re-clean.