How Much Does Carpet Cleaning Cost?

Carpet Cleaning Price Guide

Have you glanced at your carpets recently and thought, those need to be cleaned? Many homeowners find themselves in that situation. Life gets busy and carpets end up collecting all sorts of spills, stains, dirt, and grime that no one wants sitting in their home.

While beautiful, fresh, clean carpets may be desired, the costs of professional carpet cleaning may seem concerning or unclear.

But there’s no need to stress! On average, carpet cleaning costs $0.15 to $0.40 per square foot. In this article, we’ll give the full details on average carpet cleaning prices so readers know what to expect.

Average Carpet Cleaning Costs

Let’s start with the key question, how much is this really going to set you back?

The costs depend mainly on two factors:

1. Room Size

Makes sense right? The bigger the room, the more carpet needs cleaning, and the higher the price.

Average carpet cleaning prices per room:

• Small room (bedroom) – $50
• Medium room (living room) – $75
• Large room (family room) – $100+

Of course room sizes and home layouts vary, so the table below gives more specific room size costs:

2. Total Square Footage

This gives a more precise measure than just “number of rooms”. The typical range is $0.20 – $0.40 per square foot.

For reference, here’s how much different total square footages usually cost:

• 500 sq ft home – $100 – $200
• 1000 sq ft home – $200 – $400
• 2000 sq ft home – $400 – $800

Certainly quite a range! But now you’ve got a ballpark estimate.

What Impacts the Price?

Carpet cleaning isn’t a simple one-size-fits-all service. There are a number of factors that can influence the costs:

Carpet Fiber

The type of carpet fiber plays a role. Why? Different materials have different cleaning requirements.

• Synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon) – Made from plastic/nylon polymers, these carpets are generally cheaper and easier to clean. The fibers are smooth which allows dirt and stains to be lifted easily. Also dries quicker after cleaning.
• Natural fibers (wool, cotton) – Wool and cotton carpets are more delicate and take longer to dry after cleaning. The textured fibers can hold more dirt and stains. Natural carpets may require specialized cleaning solutions.

Amount of Soiling

Lightly soiled carpets will take less time and effort to clean versus carpets that are heavily soiled. Heavily soiled carpets will require extensive pre-treatment to lift ground-in dirt and stubborn stains that have set over time. The cleaner may need to make multiple passes or use stronger cleaning agents.

High Traffic Areas

Carpets in entryways, hallways, and common areas will collect dirt quicker and require more frequent deep cleaning. The fibers in high traffic areas get compacted down and matted from constant footsteps. This traps dirt deeper in the carpet pile.

Furniture Moving

Do you want the carpet cleaner to move and replace all your heavy furniture? This adds significant labor time as large pieces have to be carefully relocated and then moved back after cleaning. It’s best to clear any furniture yourself beforehand to save costs.

Stain Removal

Expect to pay extra for targeted treatment to get out tough coffee, wine, pet urine, grease, or food stains. They may require repeated applications of specialized spot removal solutions and scrubbing.

Location Accessibility

Carpets on upper floors or only accessible by stairs will cost more, as the cleaner has to haul heavy equipment up and down. High-rise apartments also bump up prices due to equipment transport.

Company Reputation

Higher prices don’t always mean better service…but with carpet cleaners they usually do. Companies with excellent reputations invest in the latest tools, techniques, training, and hire the most skilled staff. You get what you pay for in terms of results.

Discounts

Some carpet cleaners may offer discounts or deals if you sign up for regular service. Multi-room discounts are also common. Be sure to ask if any promotions or discounts apply to your cleaning job.

Cost Of Carpet Cleaning Methods

Let’s look at the types of carpet cleaning methods:

Steam Cleaning

This method uses hot water extraction equipment that looks like a cross between a vacuum cleaner and a pressure washer. First, a pre-treatment solution is sprayed onto the carpet to begin breaking down dirt. Then hot water or steam is blasted into the carpet fibres at high pressure. The heat helps dissolve and flush out grime. Finally, powerful suction extracts all the dissolved dirt.

Steam carpet cleaning works well on natural and synthetic carpet fibers. The hot water is effective at removing all stains and embedded dirt. It can thoroughly rinse carpets of any thickness. However, the carpet can take much longer to dry afterwards compared to other methods.

Cost: Approximately $0.25 – $0.40 per sq ft.

Dry Cleaning

With dry carpet cleaning, a powder mixture or absorbent compound is spread over the carpet. This compound clings to dirt. It is worked into the carpet with a stiff brush to lift out the grime and separate it from the fibers. Then a vacuum is used to suck up all the dried compound and the attached dirt.

This method works best on low-pile carpets made from natural and olefin synthetic fibers. It does not clean as deeply into the carpet pile compared to steam cleaners. But carpets dry very quickly afterwards, which is a major advantage.

Cost: Roughly $0.20 – $0.35 per sq ft.

Bonnet Cleaning

A bonnet cleaner uses a motorized spinning pad or bonnet underneath the machine. The bonnet is soaked in a cleaning solution designed to attract dirt. As the machine is passed over the carpet, the spinning bonnet gently scrubs the surface and absorbs dirt from the top of the carpet fibers. Once a section is cleaned, the bonnet is removed, rinsed, and replaced.

This is well suited for commercial carpets, particularly low-pile tight-weave carpets. It does not deep clean tough stains. But it is very fast drying so high traffic areas can be cleaned frequently.

Cost: Approximately $0.15 – $0.30 per sq ft.

Carpet Shampooing

With this method, a foamy chemical shampoo is worked into the carpet using a buffer machine or by hand. The shampoo contains detergents to dissolve dirt and polymers to encapsulate loosened dirt.

The shampoo is agitated into the carpet, then left to dry completely. As it dries, the polymers crystallize, trapping dirt into the shampoo residue. This can then be vacuumed up along with the grime.

Shampooing allows rapid carpet drying compared to steam cleaning. However, it does not clean as thoroughly or remove heavy stains. It’s best for light, routine cleaning of carpets.

Cost: $0.20 – $0.35 per sq ft.

Upholstery Cleaning

In addition to carpets, many expert cleaners also offer upholstery cleaning services. This includes sanitising sofas, chairs, ottomans, dining benches, and other padded furniture.

Upholstery can attract dirt, pet hair, food crumbs, and other debris that makes furniture look dingy over time. Professional upholstery cleaners help extend the life of furniture investments.

The cost of cleaning upholstery depends on the size of the furniture piece. Expect to pay $50 to $100 for a sofa or sectional. Chairs are around $25 to $50 per chair. Similar methods to carpets are used, either steam extraction or cleaning agents followed by vacuuming.

Always check the furniture manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines first to avoid damaging the fabric.

Carpet Cleaning For Health and Allergies

In addition to making your home look spotless, professional carpet cleaning also removes many allergens and irritants that can build up in carpet fibers:

• Dirt and dust – Contains pollutants and allergens
• Pollen – Gets tracked in on shoes
• Pet dander
• Mold and mildew
• Bacteria – Can grow rapidly in damp, dirty carpets
• Chemicals – From solutions, air pollution

Regular cleaning can remove up to 85% of common allergens from carpets. This makes professional cleaning ideal for homes with residents who have allergies or respiratory conditions like asthma.

When carried out properly using industry approved equipment and solutions, carpet cleaning is very safe for homes with children and pets. Any residues left behind are non-toxic. Always check that any cleaner you hire uses eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaners.

Extra Carpet Cleaning Services

Beyond standard steam or dry cleaning, many professional carpet cleaners offer additional specialized services:

Spot Cleaning – Focused cleaning of individual spots. Great for problem areas.

Average price: $25+ per stain.

Fabric Protection – A liquid sealant applied during cleaning which repels future stains. Adds useful life to carpets.

Average cost: 15 cents per sq ft.

Deodorizing – Removes odors and refreshes carpet smell. Ideal after pet accidents.

Average price: 10 cents per sq ft.

Anti-Static Treatment – Reduces static electricity in carpet which attracts dust.

Average cost: 15 cents per sq ft.

When You Need Specialists

For most general carpet cleaning needs, standard professional services will do the trick. But in certain situations, you may need to call in specialty restoration experts:

Smoke Damage – Fires can leave carpets with harmful smells and residues. Smoke restoration pros have deep cleaning solutions to remove odors and repair carpets after fire damage.

Water Damage – Floods can cause mildew and mold growth deep in carpets. Water damage specialists have truck-mounted vacuum systems to deep extract large volumes of water quickly.

Severe Pet Stains – Tough odors and staining from animal urine or feces often require repeated treatments. Companies that specialize in removing pet stain are best equipped to handle these challenging jobs.

So for unique carpet cleaning challenges, don’t hesitate to find industry specialists to ensure the best results.

DIY Carpet Cleaning – What’s the Investment?

Of course if you’re looking to save money, you may consider renting equipment and tackling carpet cleaning yourself. Here’s a realistic look at costs:

• Rug shampooer rental – $30/day
• Carpet cleaning solvents – $20
• Your valuable time – 4+ hours for thorough clean

So you could potentially wash carpets yourself for $50 – $75. But there’s more to consider:

• Is it worth 4 hours of your time?
• Do you want to haul equipment and handle disposal?
• Can you get stains fully out?
• Will results be as good as a pro job?

If you don’t mind the labor, DIY carpet cleaning can save you money. But for many people, hiring an affordable pro is worthwhile to get carpets pristine.

Tips for Choosing a Carpet Cleaning Company

Once you decide to bring in the professionals, how do you select the right service? Here are some tips:

• Check reviews – what do previous customers say about their quality and service?
• Ask about their process – do they use industry standard methods and equipment?
• Request references – speak to past clients about their experiences.
• Compare quotes – get bids from 2-3 cleaners to compare pricing.
• Verify licensing and insurance – this protects you from liability issues.

Take a bit of time to research and find a professional you feel confident will do great work.

When to Call Professionals

Finally, a question many wonder, how often should you spring for professional carpet cleaning? Here are some good guidelines:

• Every 12 months as routine maintenance
• Every 6 months for homes with kids or pets
• Whenever carpets appear visibly dirty
• After spills or heavy soiling
• When moving in or out of a home
• Before listing a home for sale

Set reminders to have carpets cleaned at least yearly. It really does make a big difference in keeping your home looking and feeling clean!

The Bottom Line

We hope this info helps provide realistic expectations about carpet cleaning fees. To recap:

• Expect to pay an average of $0.25 – $0.40 per sq ft
• Prices range from $50 for a small room up to $200+ for a large home
• Many factors like stains, accessibility, and fiber type impact price
• DIY can save money but takes more effort and may not yield the same results

Next time your carpets need some care, you can feel confident hiring professional cleaners armed with knowledge of what it will cost. Just sit back and wait for soft, refreshed, dirt-free carpets!