How to Use a Bissell PowerLifter

The Bissell brand, in existence since 1876, specializes in a wide variety of floor cleaners, from upright vacuums and deep cleaners to steam mops. The Bissell PowerLifter, a canister vacuum, uses hot water and suction to remove debris from almost any type of carpet. Because the PowerLifter is a canister cleaner, its usage differs from that of upright deep-cleaning vacuums.

• 1

  Vacuum the area you want to deep-clean using a traditional dry vacuum.

• 2

  Remove the measuring cup from the side of the tank. Locate the three vertical lines on the inside of the tank unit. Add two gallons of hot water through the filling cavity until it reaches the three vertical lines on the tank. Do not add boiling water or it may crack the tank.

• 3

  Shake a bottle of Fiber Cleaning Formula well and pour 10 oz. into a measuring cup, then empty the contents of the cup into the filling cavity.

• 4

  Plug the PowerLifter power cord into an outlet and turn on the switches marked "pump/spray" and "vacuum/suction."

• 5

  Put the floor nozzle on the carpet, about one arm's length away from you. While pulling the nozzle along the carpet towards your body, pull the trigger to release the cleaning solution. Go over the same stretch of carpet until no more dirt enters the nozzle.

• 6

  Let go of the spray trigger and move the floor nozzle along the carpet that you just cleaned. Continue to suction the water and cleaning solution from this stretch of carpet until you no longer see it entering the nozzle.

• 7

  Continue this process across the entire area you want to clean, working in sections of three or four feet.

• 8

  Empty the tank when the machine begins to lose suction and periodically check the solution level as you clean. Do not allow the machine to run completely dry. If the floor nozzle stops spraying, it is a good indication that your solution level is too low.

• 9

  Turn off the "pump/spray" and "vacuum/suction" switches and unplug the machine when you have finished cleaning. Empty the contents of the tank into a toilet or sink.