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™cleaner as a dry vac-
uum cleaner.
b. For upholstery, check cleaning
code - Use your HOOVER SteamVac™
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” (“sol-
vent/dry” clean only). If your uphol-
stery does not have a code, seek pro-
fessional assistance.
c. Test for colorfastness -Wet a white
absorbent cloth with the detergent. In a
small, hidden area, gently rub the surface
with the dampened cloth. Wait ten minutes
and check for color removal or bleed with
white paper towel or cloth. If surface has
more than one color, check all colors.
3. How to cleand. When cleaning entire floor, move
furniture out of area to be cleaned
(may not be necessary if only high traf-
fic areas are to be cleaned). For furni-
ture too heavy to move, place aluminum
foil or wax paper under legs. This will
prevent wood finishes from staining car-
pet. Pin up furniture skirts and
draperies.
e. Pretreat spots and heavy traffic
areas with HOOVER®Spot & Stain
Spray Cleaner*- Test Spot & Stain
Spray Cleaner 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 Spot &
Stain Spray Cleaner onto spots and traffic
areas. Wait at least ten minutes. Use your
SteamVac™ cleaner to pick up Spot & Stain
Spray Cleaner and spot. Repeat until spot is
removed; carefully scrub with a household
scrub brush if necessary.
Do not saturate carpet or upholstery with
Spot & Stain Spray Cleaner.
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, eithermove area rugs/carpet to a non-
wood bare floor surface orplace waterproof
material (e.g. plastic) underneath them
before cleaning.
See pages 12-15 for instructions on various
cleaning tasks.
h. Choose the proper brush assembly
for the cleaning task.The brush assembly
with the green, shorter bristles is for carpets
and rugs; the assembly with the white,
longer bristles is for hard floor surfaces.
*Available at additional cost if not included
with your model.
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Recovery tank
(lower tank)
The recovery tank holds the dirty solu-
tion that is picked up from the surface
being cleaned.
When the recovery tank is full, the auto-
matic shut-off will engage, suction will
stop (see page 8), and the tank must be
emptied.
How to empty
Turn cleaner off and unplug from elec-
trical outlet.
To prevent possible leaking, remove
clean water tank (Fig. 2-10) by pressing
down on tank handle and pulling for-
ward; set tank aside (do not set tank
on furniture).
Step on handle release pedal (Fig. 2-3)
and lower handle until it rests on the
floor.
Turn recovery tank latches (A) outward
(one on each side of tank).
Raise handle (B) straight up and lift tank
off cleaner.
Carry tank to sink or drain.
2-22
Lower handle toward back of tank to
unlock lid. Lift lid off tank.
Empty tank and reposition lid.
For full suction, it is important that
the recovery tank lid is properly
secured before cleaning.
Raise tank handle to carrying position
and place it onto cleaner. Lower handle
to front of tank.
Turn latches (one on each side of tank)
inward to lock tank in place.
Raise handle of cleaner to upright posi-
tion and reposition upper clean water
tank.
A
B
2-19
Check tank to make sure it is securely
latched.
2-20
NOTE: There may be a small amount of
water (indicated by arrows) on the base
when the tank is removed from the unit.
This is a normal condition.
10