I've used a "steam vac" for about 7 yrs. It sprays a mix of detergent
and water you heat (about 1 gal. tank) onto carpet for scrubbing and
sucking-up. They provide a sucker-adapter for hard surfaces, but a
sponge mop is simpler.

On carpets, I've managed to return some dingy wall-wall polyester crap
to a semblance of color, removing lots of dirt. It won't happen in one
pass.

The vacuum nozzle is at the front- plastic- not to be slammed into
stuff.

HTH,
J