There are a few rules of thumb when cleaning with vapor:

The lower the steam pressure, the higher the consistent temperature and the drier the steam.
Pressure is great for down and dirty cleaning, but for everything else....turn it down. Condensation occurs at a higher pressure output....so once again, keep it down and let the heat do the cleaning.

Cut out the chemicals and the residues they leave behind

Remember, the sooner you cut out cleaners on your floors and surfaces, the sooner the residues will disappear. Soap residue attracts dirt and your floor or other surfaces actually get dirty quicker. There is no purer clean than steam.

Never put anything in the boiler or reservoir other than tap or distilled water. On the other hand don't be afraid to use a safe cleaning agent if you run into a difficult situation that may call for more than steam. Cold water and soap cleans ok, but use that same soap with hot water and watch what happens. The same principal applies.

Get to know your accessories and their purpose. 
Extension Wands - To be used with Floor brush, Triangle Brush or detail attachment.
Elbow attachment - To be used with Floor brush and triangle brush to attach to hose nozzle or extension wands. This allows both of these attachments to have different positions for cleaning.
Floor Brush - Nylon bristled large rectangle brush with clips to attach towels or mop pads to the brush.
Large Triangle Brush - Nylon bristled large triangle brush with clips to attach towels for cleaning walls, upholstery, cabinets etc.
Window Squeegee - Attachment for windows, mirrors
Detail Attachment - Use for attaching small detail brushes, medium round and use by itself for detail cleaning
Medium Nylon Bristled Brush - Use for smaller areas, ovens w/ scrubbie etc
Small Detail Brushes - Stainless, Nylon and Brass
Stainless Scrubbies - Medium for TR5 & TR6
Garment Pad - TR5 & TR6   Attaches to the large triangle brush

 

What to CleanAccessories to use:

FLOORS

Vinyl, Pergo, Laminates  Low - Medium Pressure         Large brush + towel, extension wands, nozzle w/ nylon nozzle brush

Hints & Techniques: Sweep or vacuum first; corners and baseboards w/ detail brush if necessary;  mop w/ large floor brush with towel or mop pad, heavily soiled areas use small rectangle brush, no towel if necessary.

Quarry Tile, Slate, Ceramic  Tile Low - Medium Pressure  Large brush + towel wrapped on clips , nozzle w/ nylon nozzle brush, rectangle brush w/ towel

Hardwood -  Low Pressure          Large brush + towel and pad, extension wands

Hints & Techniques: Fix  towel folded in 1/2 or 1/3 or pad to large brush, heat with steam "on low", turn steam off and mop floor if preferred, repeat as towel cools. Towel should be hot and moist, not wet. It is the damp heat that will dissolve grime and build-up while the floors do not over-wet and evaporation is quick. No residues - only clean. Do not use on unsealed floors.

Grout ( Sanded )                    Small Nylon Detail Brush or Stainless Detail Brush  Medium - High Pressure

Hints & Techniques: Clean actual grout lines with Nylon Detail Brush. In many cases however follow our  directions for using Stainless Detail Brushes for heavily soiled grout in kitchen, mud rooms etc. Clean dirty grout in a 10 x 12 kitchen in approximately 1 hour.

Wax removal Medium - High Pressure      Small detail brush, nozzle attachment

KITCHENS

Stove Tops, Ovens, Grills, Vents -  Low - Medium Pressure     Nozzle w/ detail brush - nylon, brass, large nozzle brush, stainless steel pad, towel

Hints & Techniques:  Use nozzle with brush, attach stainless steel pad for oven surfaces, oven racks, glass in door. Use small nylon or brass nozzle brush for tight areas, corners, burner bibs. The photos at the right is an oven bottom with baked on food, within a minute the nozzle with scrub attached begins to melt the crusty mess away. In less than 2 minutes and one paper towel, half of the oven is sparkling with no chemicals, fumes or foamy mess. This method can be used also with your grills, vents, drip pans, smokers.  Depending on the size of the area, choose the scrub and detail brush that will  work best.

Small Appliances, Refrigerator, Freezer,l Microwave Low - Medium Pressure           Small Detail brush, Medium Round Brush w/ towel

Hints & Techniques: For large areas use triangle brush w/ towel, or large nozzle brush directly. Use nozzle without brush for nooks & crannies, wipe with towel.

Sinks, Faucets, Drains      Medium Pressure           Nozzle w/ nozzle brush - nylon or brass.

Hints & Techniques:  Melt away build up in hard to reach areas  Use nozzle to reach into tight areas, or use with small nylon detail brush where needed, rinse or wipe surface. This will remove build up in the smallest of places around fixtures, sink edges, set in cutting boards and help to kill bacteria.

Counter Tops, Cabinet Facing    Low - Medium Pressure         Small triangle brush w/ towel clipped on, nozzle w/ nozzle brush

Hints & Techniques: Use small rectangle brush direct and wipe with towel, use threaded nozzle w/ brush on moldings, wipe with towel. Cabinet Facing: pre-steam w/ nozzle from a distance of 6", let stand a moment, wipe with towel, repeat if necessary.

BATHROOM

Tile & Grout       Medium Pressure        Nozzle, large & small nozzle brush, small rectangle brush

Hints & Techniques: Use steel detail brushes, small rectangle brush with no towel to clean grout, rinse or wipe clean. Use rectangle brush with towel to maintain.

Porcelain, ChromeFixtures            Medium Pressure     Nozzle, nozzle brush - nylon, small rectangle brush w/ towel, extension tube

Hints & Techniques: Use small rectangle brush w/ towel to treat larger areas, large nozzle brush w/ towel or nozzle w/ nylon nozzle brush for corners, hinges, ledges and bars, wipe or rinse away dirt.

Shower Stalls & Doors      Medium Pressure        Nozzle, nozzle brush - nylon, small rectangle brush w/ towel, extension tubes, large nozzle brush w/ stainless steel pad.

Hints & Techniques: Use round or triangle brush w/  towel or medium round or small detail brush w/ stainless steel pad to remove heavy soap scum from glass or ceramic panels. Do not scrub, the heat will melt the soap build-up.  Pre-treat area with mild detergent or vinegar if necessary. Rinse tools often. Wipe or rinse away loosened dirt.

Fiberglass      Medium Pressure Large round nozzle brush, small rectangle brush, extension tube, towel

Hints & Techniques: Use small rectangle brush direct w/ out towel, or large round nozzle brush for stubborn areas, rinse or wipe away soil. Use extension tube for easy reach.

GLASS -

lWindows, Mirrors Medium Pressure            Squeegee , jet nozzle w/ towel

We have never seen a window come cleaner than with steam.  No dirt, no residues, no cleaners! Windows will stay cleaner longer with no residue to attract dirt. Hints & Techniques: We like to drape a clean microfiber towel over the squeegee first, turn steam to low and wipe down over entire surface the first cleaning. Remove the towel, steam window and squeegee down for a squeaky clean finish. Again, use the microfiber towel for a final edge wipe if necessary.  Avoid cracked mirrors or windows. Use caution on windows when temperatures are cold on the exterior.           Method #2 If you are having trouble becoming a squeegee expert we suggest using your jet nozzle.  Turn your steam to medium / low and steam your windows / doors approximately 4-6 inches from nozzle tip. Use squeegee unattached and use drawing downwards. Wipe the blade and continue until complete. Excellent, fast results can be achieved also by this method.

Window Frames Low - Medium Pressure          nozzle w/ nozzle brush, Extension, towel

Hints & Techniques: Use jet nozzle + brush to renew tracks,  frame area, latches etc. Use towel over nozzle brush to finish and polish.

Door Tracks & Window Tracks Low - Medium Pressure       Small Nylon or Brass Detail brush or nozzle without brush attached  - towel to wipe up, or drape over top

Hints & Techniques: Sliding Glass Door Tracks clean in seconds If cleaning up heavy grime in your window or door tracks place a towel over the nozzle tip to keep particles from blowing around as they are released from the surface. Wipe and dry with towel after, surface and crevices are like new.

CARPET

Carpet Surfaces Medium Pressure       Large brush + towel, extension wands

Hints & Techniques: Vacuum and then attach towel to large brush and wipe in two directions - the second at right angles to the first w/ small rectangle brush or large brush a 6' x 6' area . Stubborn areas may be pre-treated with a light application of gentle soap free spotter followed with steam treatment.

Spot Cleaning Medium - High Pressure       Nozzle or Steam gun Hints & Techniques: When using nozzle or steam gun on spots, STAY 4" - 6" from carpet surface. Blot spot w/ towel, repeat as necessary. DO NOT OVERHEAT!

WALLS & CEILINGS

Painted, Paneling, Wallpaper Low Pressure       Small rectangle brush or large brush with towel, extension wands

Hints & Techniques: Painted walls, wallpaper, wood paneling are heat sensitive. Always use 2, preferably 3 layers of towel on brushes when treating these surfaces. Do not dwell on any one area too long - treat once, allow to cool and retreat. On heavily soiled areas, pre-steam w/ nozzle 6" from surface and then use brush w/ towel. towel surface may be pre-treated w/ gentle detergent mist to help loosen soil. On wood paneling move quickly, check towel surface for color transfer. Wall Paper Removal: use nozzle on seams, score your wallpaper with a Tiger Tool for that purpose. Prespray area if you like, then apply steam and wallpaper should remove easily.

Acoustical Tile Low Pressure     Small rectangle brush or large brush with towel, extension wands

Hints & Techniques: Acoustical tile is heat sensitive as well, see Painted, Paneling & Wallpaper

Vents Medium - High Pressure     Nozzle or extended nozzle, extension tubes, large brush with towel

Hints & Techniques: For hard to reach vents, use extension wands. A couple of swipes across your vent will clean it quickly. Wipe vent surface w/ large brush w/ towel. Pre-treat with extended nozzle if necessary. For louvered vents, use nozzle w/ nozzle brush and towel.

UPHOLSTERY

Vinyl Synthetics Low - Medium Pressure       Small rectangle brush w/ towel

Hints & Techniques: Test in inconspicuous location prior to treatment. Some velour's are very heat sensitive and may deform. Pre-steam area with steam gun at 6" from surface. Use small rectangle brush w/ towel over surface, working in two directions. Towel should be hot & moist, not wet. Use nozzle on seam lines at 2" from surface, wipe away dirt with towel. Condition leathers after treating.

Patio and Porches

Screens  For large areas use the rectangle brush / smaller areas the triangle brush. Attach towel to clips and use medium to low steam and slowly wipe screen removing all soil without water spills or hoses. .    As towel becomes dirty, rinse well, wring and re-attach to continue cleaning. Cleaning window screens can now be done any time of the season without removing from the window frame. Remove pollen and allergens without disturbing and sending them airborne again!

Furniture

Decking and Brickwork

BLINDS

Venetian Type, Horizontal Low - Medium Pressure        nozzle, extension wand

Hints & Techniques: Light dust - open blind 1/2 way & use nozzle on Medium - High from 4" away. CAUTION: Thin plastic blinds may be deformed by too much heat. Use care. Heavy or greasy dust - shut blind, mist w/ mild detergent, use nozzle at 4" from surface, wipe immediately w/ towel. Vertical vinyl - small rectangle brush w/ towel on one side and large brush w/ towel on opposite side - top to base, switch sides.

Vertical Low - Medium      Small rectangle brush w/ towel  or large brush w/ towel

Hints & Techniques: Follow directions for Venetian Type, Horizontal Blinds.

AUTOS, BOATS

Interior Surfaces Medium Pressure        Small rectangle brush w/ towel, nozzle  w/ nozzle brush

Hints & Techniques:

Detailing Interior, Exterior Medium Pressure       Nozzle, nozzle brush - nylon, small rectangle brush w/ towel, extension wand

Hints & Techniques: For nooks & crannies use nozzle, wipe w/ towel. Use nozzle brush on chrome & gaskets. Wipe with clean towel to polish