This piece of equipment can be used as a buffer for maintaining hard floors and also for cleaning carpets. A rotating "bonnet" of terry cloth or similar cleaning pad is placed on the polisher. A cleaning solution is then added either on the carpet or to the bonnet pad and finally is worked into the carpet to clean the surface. This technique is to be used only as a temporary cleaning solution as it is not as effective as hot water extraction and soil can build up. Check with your carpet manufacturer as some do not recommend this type of cleaning.