Vornado SF-246 User manual
Please read all instructions before use.
KEEP YOUR RECEIPT FOR WARRANTY PURPOSES.
User’s Guide
Portable Steam Cleaner
MODEL SF-246
2 | ENGLISH
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE
DANGER
Any appliance is electrically live even when switched off. To reduce risk of electrical shock:
1. Always unplug power cord immediately after using.
2. Do not place or store unit where it can fall or be pulled into a sink or tub.
3. Do not place in, or drop into water or other liquid.
4. If unit falls into water, immediately unplug power cord. Do not reach into the water.
WARNING
To reduce risk of burns, electrocution, re, or injury to persons:
1. Use Portable Steam Cleaner only for its intended purpose as indicated in this manual.
2. If an extension cord is necessary, use a properly rated cord (15 ampere, 14 gauge). Use care
to position extension cord where it is least likely to be damaged or tripped over during use.
3. Before plugging power cord into electrical outlet, be sure that all electrical information on rating
label agrees with your power supply.
4. To reduce likelihood of circuit overload, DO NOT operate another high wattage appliance on
the same circuit as this unit.
5. To protect against risk of electrical shock, do not immerse unit in water or other liquids. Do not
use power cord as handle, let it hang over edges of counters, or be crimped or closed in doors.
6. Never yank power cord to disconnect from outlet; instead, grasp plug and pull to disconnect.
7. Do not operate unit with a damaged power cord or if the unit has been dropped or damaged.
To avoid risk of electrical shock, do not disassemble unit; contact a technician for examination
and repair. Incorrect reassembly can cause a risk of electrical shock when unit is used.
8. Close supervision is required for any appliance being used near children, pets and plants. Do
not leave unit unattended while plugged in.
9. This unit is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory
or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given
supervision or instruction concerning use of the unit by a person responsible for their safety.
WARNING: To reduce risk of re, electrical shock or injury, the following basic
safety precautions should always be followed when using an electrical
appliance.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, this appliance uses a
grounded (three-pronged) plug. This plug will t in a grounded wall outlet
only one way. If the plug does not correctly t in the outlet, contact a licensed
electrician to install a proper outlet. DO NOT attempt to modify the plug or
defeat this safety feature.
ENGLISH | 3
10. Do not use unit where aerosol-based products are being used, or where oxygen is being
administered.
11. This unit is only meant to be used with recommended Portable Steam Cleaner (model SF-246)
accessories. Using other types of attachments may cause damage to unit or injury.
12. If Heating Indicator Light does not illuminate when power cord is plugged in, unit is not
operating normally. Immediately disconnect cord from power supply, then refer to troubleshooting
guide on Page 13 of this manual for assistance.
13. Always unplug power cord before lling with water, and when unit is not in use.
14. To avoid burns from escaping steam when removing Boiler Cap to rell unit:
• Make certain power cord is unplugged.
• Always allow unit to cool for a minimum of 5-10 minutes.
• Press and hold Steam Trigger to release all remaining steam pressure.
15. Do not attempt to use unit without properly lling it with water.
16. When lling unit, only water should be used – other cleaning agents could damage unit or
cause injury. Distilled or de-mineralized water is highly recommended, in order to minimize
potential build-up of mineral deposits.
17. To reduce risk of contact with hot water emitting from Main Steam Nozzle, check appliance
before each use by positioning it away from body and press Steam Trigger. Do not operate
unit if Main Steam Nozzle is blocked.
18. Use caution when using unit on or near an uneven surface.
19. Burns can occur from touching hot plastic parts, hot water, or steam. Do not touch Main Steam
Nozzle or attempt to connect any accessories while unit is in use. Use caution when you turn
unit upside-down – there may be hot water inside.
20. When steaming any surface for the rst time, it is recommended that you consult the
manufacturer’s guidelines for the material being steamed. For items in question, test on an
inconspicuous area before proceeding.
21. Do not allow power cord to touch hot surfaces during use. Loosely bundle cord when storing.
22. Always allow Portable Steam Cleaner to cool (30 minutes for complete cooling) and empty
Boiler before storing.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY
4 | ENGLISH
UNIT FEATURES
& ACCESSORIES
Boiler
Boiler Fill Hole
Boiler Cap
Heating Indicator Light
Strap Tabs
Main Steam Nozzle
Steam Trigger
Steam Lock Switch
Steam Hose
Extension Wands (2)
Utility Head
Cloth Cover
Shoulder Strap
Jet Nozzle
Nylon Brush
Brass Brush
Nozzle Tip
Measuring Cup
1
1A
1b
2
3
4
5
5A
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Product Information
ENGLISH | 5
• The Boiler (1) is the internal heating chamber where water is converted into steam. Some
empty space inside the Boiler is required for this conversion process, so the recommended
maximum water capacity (33 oz. / 975 ml.) should not be exceeded when lling with water.
• The Boiler Fill Hole (1
a
) is the opening through which water is poured into the Boiler.
• The Boiler Cap (1
b
) securely covers the Boiler Fill Hole, preventing hot steam from escaping the
Boiler. The Boiler Cap must be unscrewed and removed in order to ll the Boiler with water.
• The Heating Indicator Light (2) illuminates to indicate that the unit is powered on and actively
heating, and deactivates when the unit is ready to begin steaming.
• The two Strap Tabs (3) serve as connection points for connecting the Shoulder Strap to the unit.
• The Main Steam Nozzle (4) releases a ow of hot, penetrating steam when the Steam Trigger is
pressed. The Jet Nozzle and Extension Wands connect directly to the Main Steam Nozzle.
• The Steam Trigger (5) controls the ow of steam from the Main Steam Nozzle.
• The Steam Lock Switch (5
a
) locks down the Steam Trigger for a continuous ow of steam.
• The Steam Hose (6) directs steam from the Boiler to the Main Steam Nozzle, and is designed to
remain exible while safely containing the steam.
• The Extension Wands (7) connect to the Main Steam Nozzle, allowing easier cleaning of oors,
ceilings and other hard-to-reach places.
• The Utility Head (8) connects to the Jet Nozzle and is designed for cleaning oors and other
large surface areas. The Utility Head includes three modes of operation: brush, squeegee, and
neutral (at). Refer to Page 8 for details.
• The Cloth Cover (9) wraps around the Utility Head, diffusing steam ow for more effective
cleaning on tile, hardwood and other hard surface oors.
• The Shoulder Strap (10) connects to the two Strap Tabs, allowing the unit to be conveniently
toted hands-free for mobile cleaning.
• The Jet Nozzle (11) connects to either the Main Steam Nozzle or the Extension Wands, and is
designed to safely focus the ow of steam. The Utility Head, Brushes and Nozzle Tip all
connect to the Jet Nozzle.
• The Nylon Brush (12) connects to the Jet Nozzle and is designed to work with steam to remove
stubborn stains and grime. It is ideal for use on tile, grout, carpet, upholstery, and any other
surface that will not be scratched or damaged by the nylon bristles.
• The Brass Brush (13) connects to the Jet Nozzle and is designed to work with steam to remove
stubborn stains and grime. It is intended for use on BBQ grills, oven racks, automobile engines
& wheels, shop tools and other hard metal surfaces
NOTE: Some delicate surfaces, such as stainless steel, may be scratched or damaged by
the brass bristles. Use careful judgement when deciding what surface to clean with the
Brass Brush. If you are unsure if a surface will be damaged, it is recommended that you
carefully test a small inconspicuous spot before proceeding.
• The Nozzle Tip (14) connects to the Jet Nozzle and is designed to nely focus the ow of steam.
It is recommended that the Nozzle Tip be used when not using either of the Brushes or the
Utility Head with the Jet Nozzle.
• The Measuring Cup (15) is provided to assist in easily and consistently lling the Boiler with the
optimum amount of water (33 oz. / 975 ml.).
6 | ENGLISH
Assembling Your
Portable Steam Cleaner
WARNING: DO NOT attempt to connect any accessories while unit is emitting steam.
Doing so could result in burns or other injury.
CONNECTING JET NOZZLE
1. Align Jet Nozzle with Main Steam Nozzle as shown (FIGURE 1-A).
2. Press down on the locking button located on Main Steam Nozzle. While continuing to hold
button down, slide Jet Nozzle onto Main Steam Nozzle. Push Jet Nozzle over button, and
continue to push it on unit button snaps through hole on Jet Nozzle (FIGURE 1-B).
3. To remove, press in on locking button while simultaneously pulling Jet Nozzle off of Main
Steam Nozzle.
CONNECTING BRUSHES / NOZZLE TIP
NOTE: Nozzle Tip shown in FIGURE 2 as example.
1. Align Brush or Nozzle Tip with Jet Nozzle as shown (FIGURE 2-A). Make sure that two side
pegs on tip of Jet Nozzle align with grooves inside of Brush or Nozzle Tip.
2. Slide Brush or Nozzle Tip onto Jet Nozzle, then rotate clockwise (when viewed from front) to
lock in place (FIGURE 2-B). Side pegs on Jet Nozzle will be visible through small holes in
Brush or Nozzle Tip (FIGURE 2-C).
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
1-A
LOCKING BUTTON
2-C2-B2-A
1-B
ENGLISH | 7
WARNING: DO NOT attempt to connect any accessories while unit is emitting steam.
Doing so could result in burns or other injury.
CONNECTING UTILITY HEAD
1. Align Jet Nozzle and Utility Head as shown (FIGURE 3-A). Flat edge of Jet Nozzle will align
with peg inside of Utility Head receptacle.
2. Slide Jet Nozzle into Utility Head, pushing Jet Nozzle as far into receptacle as possible to
ensure it is in proper position (FIGURE 3-B).
3. Rotate Jet Nozzle one half turn (180º) to secure it to Utility Head (FIGURE 3-C).
NOTE: Jet Nozzle will NOT lock into position, and can still be freely rotated. However, it
will not disconnect from Utility Head unless turned back a full 180º.
4. Utility Head has three modes of operation, depending on position of levers:
• Forward Position (FIGURE 3-D): lowers brush bristles for use on carpeting or upholstery.
• Neutral (Middle) Position (FIGURE 3-E): for use on hardwood, linoleum or tile surfaces.
For best results, attach Cloth Cover when mopping oors.
• Rear Position (FIGURE 3-F): lowers squeegee for use on smooth surfaces such as windows
or mirrors.
FIGURE 3
3-A
3-B
3-C
3-D 3-E 3-F
FLAT EDGE
BRUSH MOP SQUEEGEE
RECEPTACLE
8 | ENGLISH
Assembling Your
Portable Steam Cleaner
WARNING: DO NOT attempt to connect any accessories while unit is emitting steam.
Doing so could result in burns or other injury.
CONNECTING EXTENSION WANDS
1. Select one of the Extension Wands, and align rear end of wand with Main Steam Nozzle as
shown (FIGURE 4-A).
2. Press down on the locking button located on Main Steam Nozzle. While continuing to hold
button down, slide Extension Wand onto nozzle. Push wand over button, and continue to push
it on until button snaps through hole on Wand (FIGURE 4-B).
3. Now slide second Extension Wand onto the end of the one you just connected as shown (FIGURE
4-C). Push on rmly until locking button on rst wand snaps through hole on second wand.
4. Slide Jet Nozzle (with connected Utility Head) onto end of second Extension Wand as shown
(FIGURE 4-D). Push on rmly until locking button on second wand snaps through hole on Jet
Nozzle.
FIGURE 4
4-A
4-C
4-D
LOCKING BUTTON
4-B
ENGLISH | 9
WARNING: DO NOT attempt to connect any accessories while unit is emitting steam.
Doing so could result in burns or other injury.
ATTACHING CLOTH COVER
1. Wrap Cloth Cover around bottom of Utility Head, so that string-ties are positioned around rear
receptacle (FIGURE 5-A).
2. Tie string-ties together to secure Cloth Cover to Utility Head (FIGURE 5-B).
CAUTION: Use care when handling Cloth Cover after recent use, as it may still be hot.
NOTE: Cloth Cover is machine washable. To avoid picking up lint, washing separately
from other fabrics is recommended. Only use liquid detergent. Avoid using any fabric
softeners or bleach. Air drying is recommended; machine drying on a low setting is
acceptable as well.
CONNECTING SHOULDER STRAP
1. Grasp clasp on one end of Shoulder Strap. Press down and hold lock to open clasp
(FIGURE 6-A).
2. Slide clasp through hole of front Strap Tab, then release lock to close clasp (FIGURE 6-B).
3. Repeat STEPS 1 & 2, this time connecting the remaining Shoulder Strap clasp to rear Strap
Tab. Shoulder Strap should now be securely connected to the main unit.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 6
5-A
6-A
6-B
5-B
10 | ENGLISH
Using Your
Portable Steam Cleaner
FILLING WITH WATER
1. Place Portable Steam Cleaner on a at, level surface.
2. Make sure power cord is unplugged from electrical outlet.
3. Cautiously unscrew Boiler Cap by rotating it in a counter-
clockwise direction, and remove from unit to expose Boiler Fill
Hole (FIGURE 7-A).
4. Drain any water remaining inside Boiler into a sink or tub.
NOTE: Boiler should be emptied after each use – this will
help minimize mineral build-up and prevent over-lling.
5. Fill Measuring Cup to maximum ll line with water.
NOTE: In order to signicantly reduce mineral build-up
and prolong the life of your Portable Steam Cleaner, use
of distilled or de-mineralized water in the unit is highly
recommended. Refer to Page 13 for more information
about mineral build-up.
6. Carefully pour water from Measuring Cup into Boiler through
Boiler Fill Hole.
7. If desired, rell Measuring Cup to maximum ll line with water,
and pour second cupful into Boiler.
NOTE: Do not exceed the Boiler’s maximum capacity of
33 oz. (975 ml.).
8. Replace Boiler Cap, rotating it in a clockwise direction and
ensuring that it is screwed on tightly to prevent hot steam
from escaping and causing injury (FIGURE 7-B).
REFILLING
If unit has been in use, always use the following safety
precautions before removing Boiler Cap to add water:
• Make certain power cord is unplugged.
• Allow unit to cool for a minimum of 5-10 minutes.
• Press and hold Steam Trigger to release all remaining steam.
Steam can remain pressurized inside Boiler for up to an
hour after use.
WARNING: Failure to follow these precautions may result
in burns from escaping steam when the Boiler Cap is removed.
7-A
7-B
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