How Much Does Rug Cleaning Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Area rugs handle a lot of traffic in your home—not to mention spilled food, paw prints, and the occasional craft project. On average, professional rug cleaning costs range from $100 and $350, or about $1 to $8 per square foot, depending on factors like rug size, material, and cleaning method. Regular cleaning, typically recommended annually, ensures your rugs stay vibrant and last longer, making professional services a worthwhile investment.

Rug Cleaning Cost Factors

While it’s fun to decorate your home with beautiful rugs, keeping them clean can be a challenge. Several factors impact how much professional rug cleaning costs, including the type of cleaning method, rug material, size, and any additional treatments you might need.

Type of Rug Cleaning

While professional rug cleaning may cost between $1 and $8 per square foot, the price you pay depends largely on the cleaning method. Local rug cleaners can suggest which method is best suited for your type of rug.

Dry Cleaning

Expect to pay between $2 and $5 per square foot for dry cleaning a rug or using a low-moisture wash. This cleaning method uses a chemical detergent that is worked into the fiber with a special machine. The chemicals work out the soil, and the pros vacuum it all out. A short dry time is required.

Steam Cleaning

Steam cleaning your rug costs $1 to $4 per square foot, on average. Most carpet manufacturers recommend this service because deep cleaning effectively removes soil and dirt without damaging fibers.

Hand Washing

Hand-washing an area rug costs $5 to $8 per square foot. Sensitive materials like wool or cotton may require hand washing. It's the most time-consuming method, requiring separate steps for applying shampoo, scrubbing, and rinsing. The higher price makes hand washing applicable only for delicate and unique pieces.

Materials

In addition to the cleaning method, the rug material determines how much you'll pay. Low-cost, synthetic fibers are durable and inexpensive to maintain. Natural fibers like wool and silk, especially when hand-woven, require the most care when washing.

Wool Rugs

Wool rugs cost $3 to $8 per square foot to wash. Machine-woven wool and wool blends cost less at about $3 to $7 per square foot. Hand washing is the best and only option for most hand-woven wool rugs, such as Oriental or Persian styles, due to their delicate fibers and intricate patterns.

Cotton Rugs

Cotton rug cleaning costs $2 to $8 per square foot. All-natural rugs with no additives or hand-woven features will cost more. Cotton blends with synthetic fibers can often be cleaned using synthetic methods, like steam cleaning.

Silk Rugs

Silk rug cleaning costs $4 to $8 per square foot. They almost always need hand washing and dry cleaning. It’s a costly, time-consuming process to avoid harming the silk.Persian and Oriental rugs often feature silk materials and require special care.

Synthetic Rugs

Synthetic fiber rugs cost about $1 to $4 per square foot to clean. This rug type is usually durable and inexpensive to make, meaning it can withstand harsh shampooing and steam cleaning without damaging the fibers.

Sheepskin Rugs

Sheepskin rug cleaning costs $4 to $7 per square foot. Sheepskin rugs should be cleaned annually by hand washing. Your rug cleaning pro uses specially formulated detergents that avoid drying or cracking the hide.

Sisal Rugs

Sisal rugs, made from woven agave plant fibers, cost $4 to $7 per square foot to clean. They’re highly absorbent, making them tough to clean. This type of carpet requires a liquid-free cleaning method.

Other Materials and Styles

Area rug cleaning costs vary for other less common rug materials and styles:

• Cowhide: $3–$8 per sq. ft.

• Rayon: $3–$8 per sq. ft.

• Seagrass: $4–$7 per sq. ft.

• Jute: $4–$7 per sq. ft.

Cost by Size

The size of your rug plays a big role in how much you'll pay for cleaning. Here's what you can expect to pay for common rug sizes, whether you're opting for steam/dry cleaning or delicate hand washing:

Cost of Common Project Add-Ons

In addition to standard rug cleaning, you might consider adding treatments for stains, odor, and other protections to extend the life of your rug.

Ongoing Maintenance

Keep in mind that other factors—like pickup and delivery—can add to your rug cleaning bill. When estimating your area rug cleaning costs, consider adding these costs to the base price:

• Pickup and delivery: $25–$50. You may pay more if you live outside the company’s delivery area.

• Rug cleaning: Costs 25% to 40% more in areas with a high cost of living, such as New York City.

• Carpet removal: $1–$1.50 per sq. ft. for tack strip and staple removal before cleaning.

• Carpet installation: $3.50–$11 per sq. ft. for reinstallation after cleaning.

Rug Repairs

Sometimes, your rug might need more than just cleaning. Rug repair services—like color corrections, reweaving, fixing mold damage, repairing edges, blocking, and straightening—can help restore your rug to its former glory. Carpet repair costs $2 to $8 per square foot, with a total average price of $200 to $500 for rug repairs.

Rug Cleaning vs. Replacement

Wondering whether to clean your rug or just replace it? When your rug looks worn or has stubborn stains, it can be tough to decide between professional cleaning and buying a new one. The costs can vary significantly, so let's break down what might be the best choice for you.

Older, heavily soiled, or damaged rugs may not respond well to cleaning and require replacement for the best long-term results. Delicate rug materials or antique rugs may also be too fragile for thorough cleaning. More durable materials like wool and nylon typically clean up nicely.

At the same time, larger area rugs are generally more expensive to replace than to clean professionally. High-end, hand-woven rugs can also be very costly to replace, more easily justifying the cost of a professional cleaning. With proper maintenance, stain protection, and regular vacuuming, many area rugs may only need a light cleaning every couple of years.

Budgeting for Rug Cleaning

How to Save Money on Professional Rug Cleaning

Rug cleaning costs don't have to break the bank. Here are some tips to keep your expenses down:

• Vacuum regularly and address spills quickly to prevent dirt and stains from setting in.

• Combine rug cleaning with other house cleaning services when hiring professionals to potentially get a discount.

• Shop around and compare prices from at least three local rug cleaners to find the best deal.

• Consider adding a protective treatment to your rug to help prevent future stains and reduce cleaning frequency.

• Clean multiple rugs at once to save on pickup and delivery fees, or drop them off yourself to avoid extra charges.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.