position valve 114 is closed and denies steam to the dispensing head completely steam dispensing ahead of the dispensing head in the u201c frontal steam only u201d function such as to pre soften residue on the floor ahead of wiping it is accomplished by the arrangement shown in fig6 and 9 with dispensing head 108 placed upon and against the floor or surface and the trigger moved to force the control valve into the u201c frontal steam only u201d position shown in fig9 pressurized steam from the generator is allowed to flow through the valve to tube 110 f and eventually and forcefully out through frontal ports 116 f onto the floor or surface in front of the head as it is moved about the floor or surface wiping pad 300 will then wipe up and absorb the softened residue and the steam that condenses back to water as it contacts the floor steam dispensing below the dispensing head in the u201c bottom steam only u201d function such as to penetrate and sterilize the floor as it is being wiped is accomplished by the arrangement shown in fig7 and 10 with dispensing head 108 placed upon and against the floor or surface and the trigger moved to force the control valve into the u201c bottom steam only u201d position shown in fig1 pressurized steam from the generator.