How Much Does Carpet Cleaning Cost?

Professional Carpet Cleaning Costs

Carpet Cleaning Cost Per Square Foot

Expect to pay between $0.20 and $0.40 per square foot. Services who charge by the square footage visit your home before the actual job to measure and calculate the carpet size, and base their estimate on that.

If your home is smaller -- a condo, apartment or one- to two-bedroom home -- you'll pay more for this service because of the added fees for travel and cleaning material expenses. Owners of larger homes will pay less because they’ll pay fixed prices.

Carpet Cleaning Prices Per Room

If the service you hire charges a flat rate, expect to pay between $25 and $75 per room. Some pros charge a flat "per room" rate that averages between $75 and $125 and does not depend on the size or square footage of the room.

The cleaning service might impose a cap on size, which means that if the room exceeds a certain square footage, they'll charge for two rooms. Unreasonable prices may be a sign of rate inflation.

On the other hand, if they charge you too little, they could be delivering poor quality. In that case, you might find spots that stay dirty or shampoo/detergent residue that discolors the fibers.

Carpet Cleaning Services Prices

In addition to surface area, where on the $122 and $236 typical budget range you fall also depends on the carpet cleaning method.

Average Cost to Steam Clean Carpet

Steam cleaning, also known as hot water extraction or carpet deep cleaning, ranges between $100 and $500. It's the most popular way to clean carpets professionally.

This method uses pressure to insert hot water and chemicals into the fibers, which loosens dirt and debris. The machine uses suction to remove all the dirty water. After that, your carpet needs about 24 hours to dry completely.

Professionals recommend steam over most other cleaning methods because it keeps your warranty intact. They use either vehicle-mounted or electric cleaners for the suction.

Cost to Shampoo Carpet

The price to shampoo your carpet ranges between $80 and $400. It's the oldest method to keep the surface clean.

It is important to be aware of the products used for your carpet cleaning. Many companies offer products with commercial strength or environmentally-friendly cleaners. The cost of service may vary based your choice of cleaner.

Shampooing creates a thick foam layer that breaks the bonds between dirt and carpet fibers. As a result, it's great for heavily soiled and stained rooms. However, some residue will stick around after cleaning, which can discolor the surface and even attract more dirt.

Dry Carpet Cleaning Estimate

At a cost between $75 and $350, dry cleaning methods are great as a quick solution. This method, also known as low moisture or encapsulation, uses chemicals and less than 10% of water for a surface-level clean.

The pro you hire will use a rotary machine, brush or sprayer to loosen dirt and then quickly vacuum out the dirt and debris. Encapsulation helps improve appearance and only requires about 1-2 hours of dry time. You can start walking on it again almost immediately.

Commercial Carpet Cleaning Prices Per Square Foot

The cost of commercial or office carpet cleaning ranges between $0.15 and $0.25 per square foot. The lower rate compared to residential alternatives comes down to a few factors:

• Commercial surfaces tend to be easier to access, with less furniture.

• Overall appearance takes precedence over individual stains.

• Surface areas are bigger, resulting in some economies of scale.

Talk to a commercial carpet cleaner near you to get a more specific quote.

Factors That Impact Carpet Cleaning Quotes

Beyond the base price, extra charges can boost your budget anywhere from $100 to $200 or lower your price. Ask about some of these factors when requesting quotes to avoid unexpected charges on your bill.

Carpet Type

Some carpets are harder to clean than others, which can affect the amount you'll pay a pro. Some common types and their difficulty and average prices to clean include:

• Berber carpet: around $90. Easiest to clean.

• Cut and level loop: between $60-$120. Somewhat difficult to clean.

• Cotton and wool: around $100-$150. Most difficult.

Your carpet type and its best washing method depends on the loops in the material. The way the fiber twist (loose, medium or tight) determines how much dirt or debris they conceal. Talk with the pro you hire about what you can do to cut down on the build-up based on the type you have.

Carpet Cleaning Prices for Apartments

Your budget to clean the carpet in your apartment should be between $25 and $75 per room, the same as for any other type of home. Some services charge more if you live on a high floor in a large building without an easy way to transport the equipment.

Carpet Cleaning Stairs

Expect to pay about $2 to $3 per individual step. The pro you work with likely won’t include this as part of the square footage or rooms. Instead, they may add it on as a separate fee.

Stain Removal

Stain removal ranges anywhere from $40 to $300. What you pay will depend on the type and size of the stain. For example, blemishes from pets cost more because they sink deep into the pile and take more time to extract. Food spills take less time and come in on the lower end of that range.

Furniture Moving & Removal

The company you hire will likely move small pieces of furniture as part of the job. Heavy furniture typically doesn't require removal but if you decide you want it out of the room, furniture moving costs about $200 for two professionals doing two hours of work. Some services do charge for anything beyond cleaning, so be sure to ask ahead of time when getting the first quote.

Carpet Cleaning Company Rates

DIY Carpet Cleaning vs. Hiring Professional Cleaners

If you decide to clean your carpet yourself, you can rent a steam cleaner from home improvement stores, grocery stores, and other local retailers. Steam cleaner rentals cost anywhere from $35 to $50 per day, plus the price of the detergent.

When hiring a carpet cleaning service near you, you can take a few steps to lower your budget without taking on the risks of doing the job yourself:

• Cleaning discounts for multiple rooms, furniture treatments, or long-term contracts with multiple appointments.

• Add-ons like stain resistance or color repair that save money on future cleaning jobs.

Products like Stainmaster, Teflon, and Scotchguard add resistance to future blemishes that lower your long-term cleaning prices. Color repair can extend the lifetime of the material, leading to lower carpet repair costs down the road.

Choosing the right carpet cleaner means reading reviews and references and asking the right questions. Make sure you know about the estimates, and what is in the first quote.

FAQs

Is steam cleaning bad for carpets?

Steam cleaning can be bad for your carpet depending on the chemicals and equipment used. Some materials include acids and formaldehyde, which can be harmful to pets and small children if not removed completely. Large, industrial machinery might harm materials like Berber.

The fibers will be wet after the application, which can lead to mold and mildew growth if it doesn't dry properly.

Ask the local carpet steam cleaning company of your choice about this potential side-effect and how they plan to keep it contained. You might also want to ask about the environmental friendliness of the detergent they use.

How much does professional area rug cleaning cost?

On average, expect to pay between $2 and $5 per square foot of your area rug. On the higher end of that range, you get a decontamination bath that removes bacteria and mildew spurs.

How much does it cost to rent a carpet cleaner?

A steam cleaner rental ranges between $35 and $50 per day depending on its brand and size. That does not include the detergent, which adds another $5 to $15 per bottle.

How much does carpet stretching cost?

A pro will charge between $0.30 and $0.50 per square foot to re-stretch your carpet using specialized tools. This step becomes necessary when wrinkles or bubbles appear in the material, which are both eyesores and tripping hazards.

How much do carpet cleaners make?

The average carpet cleaning technician makes just under $15 per hour, which can range to $26 and more with experience and status in the company they work. Pros who own their own business can make $75,000 per year or more.

What's the cost of furniture upholstery cleaning?

The rate to clean your furniture ranges between $120 and $220 for most pieces. You can pay as little as $50 for a small loveseat or $200 for a large couch.

How often should I shampoo carpet?

Once a year is the best cadence for regular carpet maintenance according to experts. You might want to do it more often depending on traffic and degree of soiling. A less frequent cadence is common for most homeowners but may shorten the lifespan of the material.