Abstract: The invention generally relates to cleaning of carpets, upholstery and the like by "wet" processes such as the hot water extraction process. In particular, the invention provides an improved method and apparatus for cleaning surfaces comprised of fabric or fabric-like material wherein a cleaning liquid is sprayed over the surface immediately prior to subjecting said surface to suction, such as by a vacuum apparatus. The apparatus is provided with a cleaning head having a vacuum motor mounted thereon to increase the vacuum being pulled at the inlet to the cleaning head, a certain vacuum level being usually pulled by vacuum apparatus in a mobile tank remote from the cleaning head. Sediment-laden liquid pulled into the cleaning head is channeled to the remote mobile tank while only air is pulled through the vacuum motor mounted on the cleaning head.