A machine for washing and/or cleaning articles comprises a sealable enclosure for containing the articles to which cleaning liquid is to be supplied. The cleaning liquid is heated to a high temperature and forced into the enclosure under high pressure as finely dispersed or diffused droplets forming a mist or vapour. A pressure greater than atmospheric is maintained in the enclosure to force the cleaning liquid into at least the surface if not through and into the very structure of the material from which the articles are formed, so as to assist the cleaning process by producing a quicker and more efficient saturation of the articles by the cleaning liquid. The latter may comprise water and detergent or a dry-cleaning solvent. The cleaning liquid is removed from the articles and the interior of the enclosure by means of a suction pump. If a rinse is required, it is replaced by clean liquid for rinsing, preferably also at higher than atmospheric pressure and if desired also heated to higher than ambient temperatures. The rinsing liquid is also removed from the enclosure by suction. The suction is obtained by a suction pump typically a venturi vacuum pump and this is also employed to create a partial vacuum in the enclosure during a drying phase after the cleaning and, if desired rinsing stages.