Keeping your carpet clean can feel like a daunting task with Sunday dinners, playful dogs, and all the foot traffic it endures. However, a thorough deep clean—whether you tackle it yourself or hire a professional—can make a world of difference in removing dirt and debris.

On average, carpet cleaning costs around $181, with prices ranging from $123 to $241. These costs depend on factors like the size of the area, the type of carpet, and any additional cleaning services you might choose. Read on to discover everything you need to know about typical carpet cleaning expenses.

Carpet Cleaning Cost Factors

When it comes to carpet cleaning, the pricing is quite clear-cut. You’ll be charged for the labor involved, any travel expenses, and any specific cleaning methods you require. Additionally, remember that carpet cleaning might be part of a broader house cleaning service, which can vary in total cost from $90 to $600.

Number of Rooms

When it comes to carpet cleaning, the flat rate typically depends on the number of rooms you want cleaned, not the size of those rooms. Generally, you can expect to pay between $25 and $75 for each room. Some cleaning services that charge by the room might have size limits and could add extra fees for larger spaces. However, many companies also provide discounts for cleaning multiple rooms, which can help you save on your overall carpet cleaning expenses.

Number of Rooms	Average Cost Range to Clean Carpet
1	$25 – $75
2	$40 – $150
3	$75 – $250
4	$90 – $300
5	$150 – $600

Carpet Cleaning Cost Based on Area Size

On average, carpet cleaning prices range from $0.20 to $0.40 per square foot. However, this rate can vary, especially for smaller carpeted spaces, where you might be charged a flat fee instead of a per-square-foot rate.

When you engage a local carpet cleaning company, they will measure the length of your carpet beforehand to provide you with an estimate. If the area is below their minimum square footage requirement, you can expect a flat charge of approximately $100 to $150.

Carpet Size in Square Feet	Typical Cleaning Cost
600 – 1,000	$100 – 250
1,000 – 1,800	$150 – $450
1,800 – 3,000	$300 – $600
3,000+	$600+

Carpet Cleaning Costs and Types

Carpets come in various materials, from nylon to cotton, and cleaning companies often set their prices based on the type of carpet. Generally, tougher materials that are harder to clean will incur higher charges. For instance, carpets with short fibers are usually easier to clean, while longer, shaggy carpets need more effort and scrubbing.

Here are some common carpet materials along with their cleaning costs:

• Berber: $90
• Cut and level loop: $90
• Cotton: $130
• Wool: $130.

Travel and Accessibility Charges

The distance from the company’s primary service area directly impacts the travel fee. Many cleaning services use vans to transport their extensive equipment, and since these vehicles often have lower fuel efficiency, travel expenses can add up quickly.

Additionally, how easily accessible your home is plays a significant role. For instance, if you reside on the third floor of a condominium, the team will have to haul all their heavy gear up three flights of stairs, which could lead to increased costs due to the extra effort involved.

Also Read: Best Technique To Remove Water From Carpet

Cost of Carpet Cleaning by Technique

There are several carpet cleaning methods available, each with its own price range. Professionals will assess your carpet’s fiber type, the level of cleaning needed, and your budget to recommend the most suitable cleaning technique.

Steam Cleaning

The average cost for steam cleaning is about $300. Keep in mind that this method does leave your carpet damp, so you should allow approximately 24 hours for it to dry completely.

Investing in steam cleaning is particularly beneficial for high-traffic areas where your carpet endures significant wear and tear, along with the dirt and stains that come with it. This technique utilizes hot water to penetrate deep into the carpet fibers. By applying pressure to the hot water, steam is generated, which helps to deliver cleaning agents into the fibers. This powerful combination effectively loosens dirt and other debris trapped within, allowing for thorough extraction and removal.

Shampooing

Getting your carpet shampooed typically costs about $240. By hiring a local carpet shampooing expert, you can say goodbye to that pesky purple Kool-Aid stain for good.

If you have a little one who loves to spill juice, shampooing can help refresh those heavily stained spots. The process involves applying foam to the carpet fibers, which works to lift dirt and stains. After the shampooing is done, make sure to wipe away the foam to avoid any leftover residue.

Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning your carpet usually takes just one to two hours to dry and costs around $220. For a speedy carpet refresh, dry cleaning is a great option. This method focuses on cleaning the surface grime, making it ideal for those moments when muddy paws come rushing in, and you need a quick fix before the stains set in.

Carbonated Cleaning

On average, you can expect to pay about $340 for carbonated cleaning services.

When you think of carbonated cleaning, you might picture the fizz of a soda, and that’s not too far off! This method utilizes tiny bubbles that burst to lift dirt from the fibers, bringing it to the surface for easy removal. Rather than just loosening the dirt, carbonated cleaning effectively pulls debris up, making the cleaning process more efficient.

Hot Water Extraction Cleaning

Hot water extraction is a more intensive cleaning method, typically costing around $400 for a standard service, with an additional 20% to 30% charge for cotton and wool carpets.

This technique is a specialized type of steam cleaning that uses very hot water sprayed through jet nozzles onto the carpet, combined with an ammonia or acid solution to dissolve dirt and grime. After that, carpet cleaners use a grooming tool to agitate the fibers and a powerful wet vacuum to extract all the moisture, including the dissolved dirt. It’s important to let the carpet fibers dry completely for at least 24 hours post-treatment to prevent mold growth.

Bonnet Carpet Cleaning

Bonnet carpet cleaning is a cost-effective option compared to other services, typically averaging around $150.

This cleaning method is quite straightforward. It begins with a cleaning solution being sprayed onto the carpet. A cleaning pad is then attached to a specialized machine that glides over the freshly treated carpet, effectively removing dirt and debris.

It’s important to note that while this method dries quickly, it doesn’t provide a deep clean. This is why it’s commonly used in commercial settings, such as hotel lobbies. Furthermore, some carpet manufacturers may void warranties if this cleaning technique is used.

Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning

The cost of encapsulation carpet cleaning ranges from $80 to $350 and involves an intriguing method.

Much like shampooing, a rotating brush spreads a cleaning solution over the carpet fibers. This solution then dries and forms crystals around the dirt and grime, effectively trapping them. Once it has dried, the cleaners use a vacuum to remove everything.

Carpet Cleaning Technique	Average Cost Range per Room to Clean Carpet	Average Cost to Clean Carpet
Steam Cleaning	$100 – $400	$300
Shampooing	$65 – $150	$240
Dry Cleaning	$60 – $130	$220
Carbonated Cleaning	$85 – $200	$340
Hot Water Extraction Cleaning	$100 – $200	$400
Bonnet Cleaning	$25 – $85	$150
Encapsulation Cleaning	$80 – $350	$200

Here are some common additional services for carpet cleaning that you might consider. If you require any of these extra services, be aware that the cleaning company will typically charge separately for each one. Here’s a breakdown of the costs for these popular add-ons:

• Repairing holes or patches: $100–$250 each
• Dewrinkling or stretching carpets: $60 per hour
• Water extraction services: $450–$2,000, based on the size of the carpet
• Removing pet stains and odors: $30–$50 per hour
• Cleaning furniture and upholstery: $50–$80 per item
• Moving and removing furniture: $10–$50 per item
• Wicking or replacing padding: $3.50–$7 per square foot
• Teflon treatment: $20–$40 per project
• Eco-friendly or green carpet cleaning: $100–$200 per room

Extra Expenses to Keep in Mind

Home improvement projects often come with unexpected surprises. This is especially true for carpet cleaning, where challenging tasks can increase your overall costs.

Removing Carpet Stains

Eliminating stains from carpets can be a time-consuming process, and professionals may charge for the additional hours, labor, and materials needed to effectively treat the area. You can anticipate an extra charge of $25 to $40 for each stained section. If the stains are more complicated, like mold, the costs may be even higher.

Carpet Replacement

While we hope it doesn’t reach this point, sometimes it’s more practical to replace certain sections of carpet rather than deep clean them. The cost of carpet installation ranges from $3 to $11 per square foot, not including an additional $1 to $1.50 per square foot for carpet removal.

Carpeted Stairs

If you’ve ever struggled to vacuum stairs, you know that cleaning them can be quite a challenge. Professional cleaners usually add between $2 and $5 per step to your total bill, depending on how easy they are to access.

Moving Furniture

Some carpet cleaning companies may offer to move your furniture out of the room—and return it the next day—for a fee of $20 to $50 per hour. Alternatively, you could hire movers or a handyman to help, but it might be more cost-effective to include this service in your carpet cleaning contract. If the cleaning team goes the extra mile to help set up your space, consider giving them a little extra tip for their hard work.

Cleaning a Carpet on Your Own: Costs and Considerations

If you’re considering cleaning your carpet yourself, renting a steam cleaner is a popular option, typically costing around $100 for a day. For larger spaces, you might want to look into truck-mounted cleaners, which can be a bit pricier. Additionally, don’t forget to budget for detergent to tackle those tough stains, which can range from $15 to $25. Overall, you can expect to spend between $50 and $75 for a DIY carpet cleaning session.

While the cleaning process is manageable, it’s important to take some precautions. You’ll want to avoid damaging the carpet fibers, and keep in mind that it may take you longer to complete the job compared to a professional.

For carpets with deep stains or those that haven’t been cleaned in a while, it’s wise to reach out to a professional carpet cleaner. There are plenty of resources available online, such as search engines, social media, and company directories, to help you find the right service. Professionals have the expertise and equipment to effectively remove tough stains and often carry insurance to cover any accidental damage to your carpet.

Final Words

Maintaining a clean carpet is essential, especially in high-traffic areas, and understanding the various cleaning methods and their associated costs can help you make informed decisions. Whether you choose to hire a professional or tackle the job yourself, investing in carpet cleaning can significantly enhance the appearance and longevity of your flooring.

Frequently Asked Questions