3. How to clean
Before you begin cleaning
a. Vacuum thoroughly - For carpet, use a HOOVER vacuum cleaner with an agitator for best results. Vacuum uphol- stery with a vacuum cleaner with clean- ing tool attachments. Use a crevice tool to reach into tufts and folds. Do not use the ‘SteamVac’ deep cleaner as a dry vacuum cleaner.
b. For upholstery, check cleaning code - Use your HOOVER ‘SteamVac’ ‘Widepath’ deep cleaner only if the upholstery fabric is marked with a “W” (for “wet” clean) or “S/W” (for “solvent/dry” or “wet” clean). Do not clean fabric marked “S” (“solvent/dry” clean only). If your upholstery does not have a code, seek professional assistance.
c. Test for colorfastness - Mix detergent and water according to the instructions
under “Fill clean solution tank”, Figs.
d. When cleaning entire floor, move furniture out of area to be cleaned (may not be necessary if only high traffic areas are to be cleaned). For furniture too heavy to move, place aluminum foil or wax paper under legs. This will pre- vent wood finishes from staining carpet. Pin up furniture skirts and draperies.
e. Pretreat spots and heavy traffic areas with HOOVER ® PreCleaner*- Test PreCleaner for colorfastness by first spraying it on a hidden area; wait ten minutes and blot with white paper towels or cloth.
If no color change is visible, spray PreCleaner onto spots and traffic areas . Wait at least ten minutes. Use your ‘SteamVac’ ‘Widepath’ deep cleaner to pick up PreCleaner and spot. Repeat until spot is removed; carefully scrub with a house- hold scrub brush if necessary.
Do not saturate carpet or upholstery with P re C l e a n e r.
If you do not have access to the PreCleaner Spray, double the amount of HOOVER Detergent (use 2 capfuls or 10 oz. per 1 gallon) in the clean solution tank.
No cleaning solution removes all stains from all carpets. Stain removal varies with the type of spill, time elapsed before removal, carpet material, and carpet type.
f. To prevent staining, use plastic or alu- minum foil to protect wood or metal sur- faces from possible water spray.
g. To avoid wetting and possible damage to wood floors underneath area rugs/car- pet, either move area rugs/ carpet to a non- wood bare floor surface or place waterproof material (e.g. plastic) underneath them before cleaning.
*Available at additional cost if not included with your model.
See pages
After cleaning
a. Allow carpet or upholstery to dry. To help prevent matting and resoiling the carpet, keep children and pets away from surface until it is completely dry. If it is necessary to walk on damp car- pet, place towels or white cloths on the traffic areas.
If furniture must be replaced before the carpet is dry, place plastic or aluminum foil under legs of furniture so metal slides or wood finishes will not stain the carpet.
b. If desired, the carpet may be rinsed.
Rinsing is not necessary for cleaning, but it may improve the surface’s appear- ance after it is dry.
If rinsing is desired, be careful not to
Allow time for carpet or upholstery to dry completely between cleaning and rinsing. To rinse, follow the same proce- dure for cleaning only using hot tap water with no detergent in the upper clean solution tank.
c. Empty tanks, rinse with clear water and let air dry. Rinse the solution tank cap and recovery tank lid and let air dry.
d. Remove lint from filter screen located inside recovery tank.
e. Remove lint from filter screen located on bottom of cleaner as follows. Note:
When brushes seem to be rotating slowly, disconnect deep cleaner from electical outlet and check and clean this screen.
Tilt cleaner back so handle rests on floor.
Squeeze frame, lift and pull it out. Wipe off screen and push frame back into place.
Return cleaner to upright position.
f. If desired, vacuum thoroughly after carpet has completely dried. This will help reduce any shading left by the deep cleaner’s brushes.
g. If a tool has been used, remove tool from hose and return hose to storage position. The hose end must be pushed completely down into holder to ensure maximum suction when cleaning floors (Fig.
To clean nozzle
If lint or other debris becomes lodged in nozzle, do not attempt to remove nozzle cover.
Pour one to two cups of clear water on a
Pick up the water with your deep clean- er. Repeat as necessary until debris is flushed out of nozzle.
Continued ➜ 9