An apparatus for dispensing essentially dry powder onto a surface to be cleaned such as a carpet. The apparatus comprises a hopper for holding essentially dry powder, a cylindrical applicator, rotatably carried by the hopper and mounted such that one portion of the applicator is in contact with the carpet to be cleaned and the other portion is in communication with the inside of the hopper. A transport cover encloses the applicator when the apparatus is not in use. A hopper cover and sealing means maintains the moisture content of material inside the hopper.