Step-By-Step Guide On How To Clean A Carpet Cleaner

Different types of carpet cleaners need different techniques of cleaning. We’ve broken down the cleaning process step-by-step, depending on your type of cleaner.

A Guide To Cleaning An Upright Carpet Cleaner

Parts Of An Upright Carpet Cleaner:

Knowing the parts of your carpet cleaner is important to understanding which parts need to be cleaned. This includes the motor, reservoir, hose, rollers and the water tank. Regular maintenance is also important to ensure the carpet cleaner functions well.

Cleaning water reservoir - This reservoir is situated on the top of the carpet cleaner and it holds the mixture of clean water and solution.
Dirty water reservoir - This reservoir is situated below the cleaning water reservoir, and it collects dirty water while cleaning.
Hose - It is an outer part that you can attach to clean areas that are difficult to reach.
Float stack - It is situated inside the dirty water reservoir, this part signals when the reservoir is full and needs to be cleaned.
Floor nozzle - The floor nozzle is an outer attachment used to clean difficult areas.
Brush rolls - These are attached at the bottom of your carpet cleaner to clean the dirt and debris from the carpet.
Brush roll cover - It is the main cover for the brush roll where you also attach the hose for the outer nozzle.
Suction diverter - This part is inside your cleaner. The suction diverter flap routes dirty water into the dirty water reservoir.
Cleaning brush - This accessory might come with the carpet cleaner, depending on your model.

Caution

Make sure you switch off and unplug the machine before cleaning it.

Flush the machine with hot water with every use to avoid any hard residue in the spray lines. You can do this by:

Switch your carpet cleaner on and hold it in a reclined position.
Press the trigger and move the machine back and forth on the carpet for 15 seconds.
Then, let go of the trigger, and again, press the trigger and move it for 15 more seconds.
Release the trigger for the final time and vacuum without spraying until the machine stops suctioning water.

Tip

Always clean the machine before you put it in storage.

Turn off and unplug the machine, wrapping up the power cord securely.
Remove the tank and unscrew the cap from the bottom to remove the float stack by tilting it downward slightly.
Empty the dirty water tank and clean it with hot water.
Clean the bottom and the surfaces of the tank bladder.
Rinse away any debris from the filter.
Now, rinse the top half of the tank through the nozzle area.
Rinse the float stack too, with hot water.

Detach the floor nozzle from the machine.
Rinse the floor nozzle with hot water.
Turn the nozzle over and clean the fluid connection with a paper clip. Water might not remove the minute debris from the fluid connection, but a paperclip will thoroughly clean the residue.
Replace the nozzle by aligning the locking keys with their respective slots.
Now, put the nozzle and end caps back at the foot of the machine.
Turn the keys and lock the nozzle.

Remove the brush cover to access the brush rolls.
Upright carpet cleaners often come with a cleaning brush that can reach the debris easily.
Pull out or cut off any hair or debris using the cleaning brush.
Turn the brush roll and see if it is rolling smoothly.
Remove the screws from your brush roll, if any, to clean it thoroughly.
Place the brush rolls back and fit them properly.
Ensure the brush is tightly placed for the next use.

Take out the screws from the back of the diverter’s housing.
Remove the diverter housing and rinse it under tap water.
Remove any debris from the diverter carefully.
Place the diverter housing back once clean and secure with the screws.

Take care of the parts once you dismantle them to avoid any damage. After cleaning, reinstall all the parts and ensure that they are correctly attached together. Read through the product manual where you feel that help is needed.

Cleaning A Portable Carpet Cleaner

Portable machines are much easier to carry and clean. These have fewer steps for cleaning than the upright cleaners. First, let’s know the different parts of a portable carpet cleaner:

Hose - It is an outer attachment that is used to clean difficult areas.
Dirty water reservoir - This reservoir is situated below the cleaning water reservoir, and it collects dirty water while cleaning.
Float stack - It is situated inside the dirty water reservoir, this part signals you when the reservoir is full and needs to be cleaned.
Nozzle - It is an outer attachment that is used to clean difficult areas.
Suction gate - It is attached below the dirty water reservoir. You can access it once you remove the dirty water reservoir.

Switch off the machine before rinsing it.
Unplug and wrap the power cord.
The dirty water reservoir needs to be emptied when it reaches the maximum limit.
Detach the dirty water reservoir from the machine and empty the water completely.
Rinse the dirty water reservoir under running water.
Detach the black valves from the bottom of the dirty water reservoir and rinse them with water.
Clean both the dirty water reservoirs if your machine has two.

Caution

It is advised to use warm water or even tap water for rinsing off the machine.

Related Tags:

Home Décor

How to Clean A Carpet Cleaner

Step-By-Step Guide On How To Clean A Carpet Cleaner

A Guide To Cleaning An Upright Carpet Cleaner

Parts Of An Upright Carpet Cleaner:

Cleaning A Portable Carpet Cleaner

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