KARCHER SC 2.500 C Steam Cleaner 3.2 Bar, 1500W User Guide

: June 6, 2024
: Karcher

SC 2.500 C

Quick reference

General information

Dear Customer,
Please read and comply with these original instructions prior to the initial operation of your appliance and store them for later use or subsequent owners.

Proper use

Use the steam cleaner only for private households.
The appliance is intended to be used with steam and can be used with the appropriate accessories as described in these operating instructions. You will not need any detergent. Please adhere to the safety instructions.

Environmental protection

The packaging material can be recycled. Please do not place the package- ing into the ordinary refuse for disposal, but arrange for the proper recycling.
Old appliances contain valuable materials that can be recycled. Please arrange for the proper recycling of old appliances. Please dispose of your old appliances using appropriate collection systems.

Notes about the ingredients (REACH)
You will find current information about the ingredients at: www.kaercher.com/REACH

Symbols on the machine

Steam
CAUTION – Danger of scalding
CAUTION – Please read the operating instructions!

Symbols in the operating instructions

Danger
Immediate danger can cause severe injury or even death.
Warning
A possible hazardous situation that could lead to severe injury or even death.

Caution
A possible hazardous situation that could lead to mild injury to persons or damage to property.

Scope of delivery

The scope of delivery of your appliance is illustrated on the packaging. Check the contents of the appliance for completeness when unpacking.
In the event of missing accessories or any transport damage, please contact your dealer.

Spare parts

Use only original KÄRCHER spare parts. You will find a list of spare parts at the end of these operating instructions.

Warranty

The warranty terms published by the relevant sales company are applicable in each country. We will repair potential failures of your appliance within the warranty period free of charge, provided that such failure is caused by faulty material or defects in manufacturing. In the event of a warranty claim please contact your dealer or the nearest authorized Customer Service center. Please submit the proof of purchase. (See the address on the reverse)

Quick Reference

Illustrations on Page 2

Fill the water reservoir up to the “MAX” marking.
Plug in the main plug.
Turn on the appliance.
Indicator lamp “Heating on” is blinking (green) Wait until the indicator lamp (heater) lights up permanently.
Connect the accessories to the steam gun.
The steam cleaner is ready to use.

Description of the Appliance

Illustrations on fold-out page 4!

A1 Water reservoir
A2 Water filler neck
A3 Switch – ON
A4 Switch – OFF
A5 Indicator lamp – heating (GREEN)
A6 Indicator lamp “water shortage” (RED)
A7 Carrying handle
A8 Holder for accessories
A9 Holder for accessories
A10 Maintenance lock
A11 Storage for the mains connection cable
A12 Parking holder
A13 Mains cable with mains plug
A14 Transport wheel (2x)
A15 Steering roller
B1 Steam gun
B2 Steam lever
B3 Unlocking button
B4 Selector switch for the steam volume (with child protection)
B5 Steam hose
C1 Detail nozzle
C2 Round brush
D1 Hand nozzle
D2 Terry cloth cover
E1 Extension tubes (two tubes)
E2 Unlocking button
F1 Floor nozzle
F2 Retaining clip
F3 Terry floor cloth

Safety instructions

Danger

The appliance may not be used in areas where a risk of explosion is present.
If the appliance is used in hazardous ar- eas the corresponding safety provisions must be observed.
Never use the appliance in pools containing water.
The device should not be used to clean electrical appliances such as oven, exhaust, micro-wave, televisions, lamps, hair-dryer, electrical heating systems, etc.
Check the faultless condition of the appliance and the accessories before using it. Otherwise, the appliance must not be used. Please check in particular the power cord, the maintenance lock, and the steam hose.
If the power cord is damaged, please arrange immediately for the exchange by authorized customer service or a skilled electrician.
Please arrange for the immediate exchange of a damaged steam hose. You may only use a steam hose that is recommended by the manufacturer (see spare parts list for the order number).
Never touch the mains plug and the socket with wet hands.
Never use the appliance to clean objects containing hazardous substances (e.g. asbestos).
Never touch the steam jet from a short distance with your hands and never direct the steam jet to persons or animals (risk of scalds).
The maintenance lock must not be opened during operation.

Warning

The appliance may only be connected to an electrical supply that has been installed in accordance with IEC 60364.
The appliance may only be connected to alternating current. The voltage must correspond with the type plate on the appliance.
In wet rooms, e.g. bathrooms, connect the appliance to sockets with a series-connected RCD adapter.
Unsuitable extension cables can be hazardous. Only use a splashproof ex- tension cable with a minimum section of 3×1 mm².
The connection between the power cord and extension cable must not lie in water.
If couplings of the power cord or extension cable are replaced the splash protection and mechanical tightness must be ensured.
The operator must use the appliance correctly. When working with the appliance, he must consider the local conditions and pay due care and attention to other persons, in particular children, who are nearby.
This appliance can be used by children aged 8 years and above and persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge if they have been given supervision or instruction concerning the use of the appliance in a safe way and understand the hazards involved. Children shall not play with the appliance. Cleaning and user maintenance shall not be made by children without supervision.
Never leave the appliance unattended when it is in operation.
Be very careful while cleaning tiled walls with sockets.

Caution

Make sure that the power cable or extension cables are not damaged by running over, pinching, dragging, or similar. Protect the power cable from heat, oil, and sharp edges.
Never fill solvents, solvent-containing liquids, or undiluted acids (e.g. detergents, benzene, paint thinner, and acetone) into the water reservoir as these substances affect the materials used on the appliance.
The appliance must not be carried during cleaning.
The appliance must provide stable ground.
Use and store the unit only in accordance with the specifications in the description and/or figure.
The steam switch must not be locked during the operation.
Protect the appliance from rain. Do not store outside.

Safety Devices

Caution
Safety devices protect the user and must not be modified or bypassed.

Pressure controller
The pressure controller keeps the boiler pressure during the operation as constant as possible. The heating is turned off if the maximum operating pressure of 4 bar is reached in the boiler and is reactivated in case of a pressure drop in the boiler due to steam tapping.

Boiler thermostat
If there is no water in the boiler the temperature in the boiler rises. The boiler thermostat turns off the heating. The heating is prevented from being turned on again until the boiler has been filled.

Safety thermostat
If the boiler thermostat fails and the appliance overheats, then the safety thermostat turns off the appliance.
Please contact your local KÄRCHER customer service to arrange for the rest of the safety thermostat.

Maintenance lock
The maintenance lock acts as a pressure control valve at the same time. It seals the boiler against the steam pressure that builds up in the boiler.
If the pressure controller is defective and the steam pressure in the boiler rises, the pressure control valve and steam are emitted through the maintenance lock to the outside.

Please contact your local Kärcher customer service before you put the appliance into operation again.

Operation

Illustrations on fold-out page 3!

Attaching the Accessories

Illustration A
Insert steering roller and transport wheels and lock them.
Illustration A + C
Connect the required accessories (see Chapter “Using accessories) to the steam gun. Insert the open end of the accessory
on the steam gun and push onto the steam gun until the unlocking button of the steam gun locks into place.
Illustration D
Use the extension pieces if necessary.
To do so, connect one or both extension pieces to the steam gun. Insert the required accessories on the free end of the extension piece.

Removing the Accessories
Danger
Hot water may drip out of the accessory parts while you are detaching them! Never detach accessory parts while steaming streams out – the risk of scalding!

Move the selector switch for the steam volume back (steam lever locked).
Illustration E
To detach the accessory parts, press the unlocking button and pull the items apart.

Filling the Water Reservoir

The water reservoir may be refilled at any time.

Caution
Do not use condensation water from the drier!
Do not fill in detergents or other additives!

Illustration 1
You can remove the water reservoir to fill it or you can fill it directly on the appliance.

Take off the water reservoir.

Pull the water reservoir straight up.
Fill the water reservoir up to the “MAX” marking while positioned vertically under the water tap.
Insert the water reservoir and press downwards until it arrests.

Directly on the appliance

Pour water from a container into the funnel inlet. Fill up to the “MAX” marking.

Turning on the Appliance

Place the unit securely on a firm surface.
Insert the mains plug into a socket.
Press the ON switch to turn on the appliance.

Note: If there is no or not enough water in the steam boiler, the water pump starts and supplies water from the reservoir into the steam boiler. The filling process may take several minutes.

Wait until the indicator lamp (heater) lights up permanently.

The steam cleaner is ready to use.

Refilling Water
In case of water shortage, the indicator lamp “water shortage” glows red in the water reservoir and a signal can be heard.

Fill the water reservoir up to the “MAX” marking.

Note: The water pump tries to fill the steam boiler in short intervals. If the filling process is successful, the red indicator lamp goes off.

Adjusting the Steam Quantity

Use the selector switch for the steam volume to regulate the discharged steam. The selector switch has three positions:

Maximum steam volume

Reduced steam volume

No steam – child protection
Note: In this lever position, the steam lever cannot be used.

Set selector switch to the required steam volume.
While operating the steam switch, always direct the steam gun at a separate piece of cloth until the steam is emitted evenly.

Note: The heating of the steam cleaner is turned on in regular intervals during the operation of the appliance in order to maintain the pressure in the boiler at a constant level. Then the indicator lamp (heater) blinks green.

Turning Off the Appliance

Press the OFF switch to turn off the ap- alliance.
Disconnect the mains plug from the socket.
Empty the residual water from the water reservoir.

Storing the Appliance

Illustrations G – H

Insert the round brush into a small holder for accessories.
Insert the manual nozzle and detail nozzle onto each extension pipe.
Put the extension pipes into the large accessory compartments.
Hook the floor nozzle into the parking position.
Wrap the steam hose around the extension pipes and insert the steam pistol into the floor nozzle.
Stowaway the main cable in the accessory holder for the main cable.

How to Use the Accessories

Important application instructions
Cleaning of Textiles
Prior to treatment with the steam cleaner, always check the reaction of the textiles in an inconspicuous location: Steam heavily at first, then let dry, and then check for color or shape changes.

Cleaning of Coated or Lacquered Surfaces

Be careful when you clean kitchen and living room furniture, doors, parquet, lacquered or plastic-coated surfaces. The wax, furniture polish, plastic surfaces, or paint can come loose or stains can be created. Therefore, always clean these surfaces with a steamed cloth only.

Caution
Never direct the steam jet at glued edges as the edge band may loosen. Do not use the steam cleaner on unsealed wooden or parquet floors.

Cleaning of Glass
In case of low outside temperatures, especially in the winter, warm up the windowpane by slightly steaming the entire glass surface. This will prevent tensions on the surface which might lead to glass breakage.

Caution
Do not direct steam onto the sealed locations of the window frame to prevent damage.

Steam gun

You can use the steam gun without any additional accessories, e.g.:
– to remove odors and wrinkles from hanging clothes by steaming them at a distance of 10 to 20 cm.
– to remove dust from plants. Here, keep a distance of 20-40 cm.
– for moist dusting, by briefly steaming the cloth and wiping the furniture with it.

Detail nozzle
The closer this nozzle is to the contaminated area, the higher the cleaning effect, as the temperature and the steam are highest at the nozzle output. Especially suited for cleaning difficult access locations, joints, fittings, drains, sinks, toilets, blinds, and heaters. Heavy limescale can be drenched in vinegar prior to steam cleaning. Let the vinegar penetrate for about 5 minutes.

Round brush
The round brush can be installed onto the detail nozzle as an accessory. The attached brushes can therefore be used to remove heavy soiling.

Caution
Not suited for the cleaning of sensitive sur- faces.

Illustration C
Attach the round brush to the detail nozzle.

Hand nozzle
Pull the terry cloth cover over the hand nozzle. Especially well-suited for small washable areas, shower stalls, mirrors, or furniture cloth material.

Floor nozzle
Suited for all washable wall and floor coverings, e.g. stone floors, tiles, and PVC floors.
Work slowly on very dirty surfaces to allow the steam to act on the dirt for a longer pe- period of time.

Note: Detergent residue or care emulsions that are still present on the surfaces to be cleaned, can lead to smears when steam cleaned. However, these will disappear with repeated cleaning procedures.

Illustration F
Attach the floor cloth to the floor nozzle.

Fold the floor cloth the long way and place the floor nozzle on top of it.
Open holding clamps.
Place the cloth ends into the openings.
Close the holding clamps.

Caution
Do not insert fingers between the clamps.

Parking the floor nozzle

Illustration G
During work breaks, hook the floor nozzle into the parking holder.

Maintenance and care

Danger
Always disconnect the mains plug and al- low the steam cleaner to cool down before performing any maintenance work.

Rinsing the steam boiler
Rinse the steam cleaner boiler at the latest after 10 boiler fillings.

Disconnect the mains plug from the socket.
Allow the steam cleaner to cool down.
Empty the water reservoir.
Remove the accessories from the ac- accessory compartments.

Illustration I

Open the maintenance lock. For this, place the open end of an extension pipe onto the maintenance lock, lock it into the guide and unscrew it.
Fill the boiler with water and shake it strongly. This dissolves lime scaling re- siding on the boiler bottom.
Completely empty the steam boiler to remove existing water (see Fig. J ).

Descaling the Steam Boiler
As limescale builds up on the boiler walls, we recommend to descale the boiler in the following intervals (RF=reservoir fillings):

Degree of hardness	° DH	mmol/l	RF
I soft	0- 7	0-1,3	100
II medium	7-14	1,3-2,5	90
III hard	14-21	2,5-3,8	75
IV very hard	>21	>3,8	50

Note: Please contact your Conservancy Board or the local water supply company to inquire about the hardness of your water.

Disconnect the mains plug from the socket.
Allow the steam cleaner to cool down.
Empty the water reservoir.
Remove the accessories from the accessory compartments.

Illustration I

Open the maintenance lock. For this, place the open end of an extension pipe onto the maintenance lock, lock it into the guide and unscrew it.
Completely empty the steam boiler to remove existing water (see Fig. J ).

Warning
Only use products approved by KÄRCHER to exclude any damages to the appliance.

User, the KÄRCHER decalcifier sticks (order no. 6.295-047) to decalcify the water. Please follow the dosing instructions on the packaging while using the decalcifying solution.

Caution
Use caution when filling and emptying the steam cleaner. The descaling solution can have an aggressive effect on delicate surfaces.

Pour the descaling solution into the boiler and allow it to react for approximately 8 hours.

Warning
Do not screw the maintenance lock onto the appliance during the decalcifying.
Do not use the steam cleaner as long as there is a decalcifying agent in the boiler.

Completely empty the descaling solution after 8 hours. A small amount of the solution will remain in the boiler. Therefore, you should rinse the boiler two to three times with cold water to remove any residues of the descaler.
Completely empty the steam boiler to remove existing water (see Fig. J ).
Allow the storage compartment for the main cable to dry.
Screw the maintenance lock in using the extension pipe.
Fill water reservoir (see page 8).
The steam cleaner is ready to use.

Care of the Accessories

Note: The floorcloth and the terry cloth cover have been pre-washed and can be used immediately for working with the steam cleaner.

You can wash dirty floorcloths and terry cloth covers in the washing machine at 60°C. Do not use a liquid softener as this would affect the ability of the clothes to pick up dirt. You may tumble dry the cloths.

Troubleshooting

Often, failures have simple causes and you can do the troubleshooting yourself using the following overview. If you are in doubt or if the failure is not listed here please contact the authorized customer service.

Danger
Always disconnect the mains plug and allow the steam cleaner to cool down before performing any maintenance work.
Repair works may only be performed by the authorized customer service.

Long heating-up time

The steam boiler is decalcified.

Descale the steam boiler.

No steam

Indicator lamp – “water shortage” blinks red and signal sounds.

No water in the water reservoir.

Fill the water reservoir up to the “MAX” marking.

Indicator lamp “water shortage” glows red.

No water in the steam boiler. Overheating protection of the pump was triggered.

Turn off the appliance.
Filling the Water Reservoir
Turn on the appliance.

The water reservoir has not been inserted properly or is calcified.

Remove the water reservoir and rinse it.
Insert the water reservoir and press downwards until it arrests.

The steam lever cannot be pressed anymore

The steam switch is secured with the lock / child-proof lock.

Move the selector switch for the steam volume to the front.

High water output

The steam boiler is decalcified.

Descale the steam boiler.

Technical specifications

Power connection

Voltage| 220-240 V

1~50/60 Hz

Subject to technical modifications!

Special accessories

Order number

Microfibre cloth set, bath 2.863-171
2 soft floor cloths made of plush velour,
1 abrasive cover for the hand nozzle,
1 polishing cloth for the mirrors and fixtures

Microfibre cloth set, kitchen 2.863-172
2 soft floor cloths made of plush velour, 1 softcover made of plush velour, 1 cloth for the streak-free cleaning of stainless steel surfaces

Microfibre cloth set, soft floor cloth 2.863-173
2 soft floor cloths made of velvet velour

Microfibre cloth set, soft cover 2.863-174
2 soft covers made of plush velour

Terry-cloth rags 6.369-357
5-floor cloths made of cotton

Terry-cloth covers 6.370-990
5 covers made of cotton

Round brush kit 2.863-058
4 round brushes for the detail nozzle

Round brush kit with brass bristles 2.863-061
removal of especially stubborn dirt ideal for insensitive surfaces.

Round brush with scraper 2.863-140
Round brush with two rows of heat-resistant bristles and a scraper. Not suitable for sensitive surfaces.

Power nozzle and extension 2.884-282
For the cleaning of difficult to access areas (such as corners) with increased cleaning power.

Turbo steam brush 2.863-159
For cleaning tasks where you would usually have to scrub

Textile care nozzle 4.130-390
For freshening up clothes and textiles.

Wallpaper remover 2.863-062
to remove wallpaper and glue residue

Decalcifying sticks (9 pieces) 6.295-047