A liquid extraction surface cleaning apparatus having a cleaning solution tank and a recovery tank held in a floor-supported carriage with the tanks having sidewalls extending above the carriage. A housing which contains a suction fan, a suction chamber, a suction inlet connecting with the chamber and a water and air separator sits on top of the tanks with the suction chamber over the recovery tank. The housing is latched to the carriage capturing the tanks. A cleaning solution dispensing means extracts cleaning solution from the solution tank. Each tank has a pivotally connected handle and the cleaning solution tank has a chemical dispensing tray integral to its handle.