Using the machine

A plain-English summary in our own words. The manufacturer's manual comes with the machine and takes precedence; we also run through everything with you at handover.

Before you start

• Vacuum the carpet thoroughly first; the machine cleans, it doesn't pick up debris.
• Move light furniture out of the room, or put foil or plastic under legs that have to stay.
• Test for colourfastness: dab your cleaning solution on a hidden patch of carpet, leave ten minutes, blot with a white cloth. If colour comes off, don't proceed on that carpet.
• Plan your exit: start at the corner furthest from the door and work backwards so you don't walk on wet carpet.

Operating it

• Fill the clean tank with hand-hot water and the measured dose of detergent; never bleach, solvents or washing-up liquid.
• Make slow, steady passes, like unhurried vacuuming. One wet pass spraying, then one or two dry passes without spraying to pull the water back out.
• Empty and refill the tanks when the recovery tank fills or the water runs out; dirty water goes down the toilet, not a sink you care about.
• Finish each area with dry-only passes; the drier you leave it, the faster it recovers.
• For stairs and upholstery, use the stair and upholstery cleaning attachment included with your hire, fitted as shown in the manufacturer's manual. Check the fabric's care label first.

Safety

• It's an electrical appliance moving water: keep the plug, socket and cable dry, uncoil the cable fully, and mind it as a trip hazard.
• Keep children and pets out of the room while you're cleaning, and never leave the machine running unattended.
• It's heavy when the tanks are full; empty them before carrying it up or down stairs, and lift with a straight back or a second pair of hands.
• Ventilate the room while cleaning and drying.
• If anything smells hot, cuts out or behaves oddly: switch off, unplug, and contact us. Don't open or repair it.

Which carpets suit it, and which don't

• Good: most synthetic domestic carpets (nylon, polypropylene, polyester) and sturdy wool-mix carpets.
• Take care: pure wool and delicate or antique carpets; check the care label, use a wool-safe detergent, and go gently. If in doubt, ask us first.
• Not suitable: natural plant-fibre floor coverings such as jute, sisal, seagrass and coir, which water can shrink or stain permanently; also unsealed wood or laminate beneath loose rugs.
• Carpets typically take 4 to 12 hours to dry depending on fibre, pass technique and ventilation; keep foot traffic off until dry.

Getting it home

• The machine is 107 cm tall, 28 cm wide and 52 cm deep, and weighs about 19 kg empty. Check it will fit your vehicle before travelling, or choose delivery.
• Only ever transport it with both tanks empty, secured so it can't tip, with a towel or sheet underneath.
• Lift with a straight back, or make it a two-person lift; we'll help you load at handover.

Before you return it

• Empty both tanks, rinse them and the brush head with clean water, and give the outside a wipe.
• Coil the cable and gather everything that came with it, including the stair and upholstery attachment; all supplied accessories must be returned with the machine.
• We aim to refund your deposit within 48 hours of return and inspection, provided there are no outstanding issues. Normal wear and tear is never charged.

Sparkle Carpets is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by BISSELL; the machine is named accurately by maker and model. Results depend on the carpet and its condition, so we don't promise specific outcomes.