Spray extraction is still the unsurpassed carpet/upholstery cleaning system. In this process, cleaning solution is sprayed into the carpet under pressure and picked up again immediately. The dirt is rinsed from deep down out of the carpet pile and not just from the top third.

Although they don't have the ability to recover the dirty water, these machines can be quite useful in conjuction with a spray-extraction machine for scrubbing heavily soiled areas and for use with the bonnet mopping system.

This method of cleaning is useful in areas which are constantly in use and unsuited to spray extraction because of longer drying times.