Dual mode carpet cleaning apparatus utilizing an extraction device and a soil transfer cleaning medium

A surface maintenance machine comprising:

• a cleaning implement in selective wiping contact with a surface intended to be cleaned;
• a cleaning solution dispenser which selectively wets with a cleaning solution a portion of the cleaning implement or a portion of the surface or both;
• a first selectively controllable vacuum extractor tool, when operating said tool removes some of the dispensed cleaning solution and soil from the cleaning implement;
• and
• a second selectively controllable vacuum extractor tool, when operating said tool removes soil and some of the cleaning solution directly from the surface intended to be cleaned.

A multi-mode carpet cleaning machine comprising:

• a pair of rotating cylindrical cleaning implements in wiping contact with a carpet;
• a cleaning solution dispenser which selectively dispenses cleaning solution to a portion of the cleaning implements or a portion of the carpet or both;
• a first vacuum extractor tool which removes some of the dispensed cleaning solution and soil from one of the cleaning implements during a first mode of operation;
• a second vacuum extractor tool which removes some of the dispensed cleaning solution and soil from the other one of the cleaning implements during the first mode of operation;
• and
• a third vacuum extractor tool in operative engagement with the carpet to remove some of the cleaning solution dispensed onto the carpet during a second mode of operation.

A method of cleaning a carpeted surface utilizing a dual mode cleaning machine comprising the steps of:

• operating the cleaning machine in a first mode of operation by:
• wetting a portion of a revolving cleaning medium of the machine with a cleaning liquid;
• extracting some soil and at least some of the cleaning solution from the portion of the revolving cleaning medium;
• and
• wiping a carpeted surface with said portion of the revolving cleaning medium so as to transfer soil from the carpeted surface to the revolving cleaning medium, and
• operating the cleaning machine in a second mode of operation by:
• wetting a portion of the carpeted surface;
• engaging the portion of the carpeted surface with the revolving cleaning medium of the machine;
• and
• extracting at least some of the soiled cleaning solution directly from the carpeted surface.

A method of cleaning a carpeted surface utilizing a dual mode cleaning machine comprising the steps of:

• operating the cleaning machine in a first mode of operation by:
• spraying an amount of cleaning liquid onto a revolving cleaning medium of the machine;
• vacuuming at least some soil and at least some of the cleaning liquid from the revolving cleaning medium;
• and
• wiping a carpeted surface with the revolving cleaning medium so as to transfer soil from the carpeted surface to the revolving cleaning medium, and subsequently
• operating the cleaning machine in a second mode of operation by:
• spraying another amount of cleaning liquid onto the carpeted surface;
• and
• vacuuming at least some soil and at least some of the cleaning liquid directly from the carpeted surface.