How Much Does Carpet Cleaning Cost?

Professional Carpet Cleaning Cost Per Square Foot 

Carpet Cleaning Cost Factors

Several factors impact the cost of carpet cleaning. Take a look at the cost factors worth considering before you gather price estimates. 

Carpet Material 

Carpet materials vary drastically, impacting the total cleaning cost. For instance, Berber carpet is easy to clean and, as such, offers the least expensive cleaning price. Additionally, some carpet types hang onto dirt and debris more readily than others. 

Carpet Size 

As previously stated, some companies charge by the square foot and others charge by the room. Cleaning carpet by the square foot costs $0.20 to $0.40 per square foot and cleaning by the room costs $75 to $125 per room. In both scenarios, extra-large carpets increase the price, requiring more cleaning materials, time, and labor. The same goes for oddly-shaped carpets that extend into multiple rooms. 

Additionally, hiring a commercial carpet cleaner for a professional space costs $0.15 to $0.25 per square foot, which is slightly less than residential carpets due to a decrease in difficulty. However, there are increased costs for large commercial spaces with carpeting running throughout. 

Condition of Carpet

The overall condition of the carpet impacts the cleaning price range. For instance, stain removal costs $40 to $300, depending on the severity and size of the stain. Food-related stains are less expensive to remove than pet-related stains, as the latter sink deep into the pile and take more time to extract. On that note, hiring a pro to remove pet odors along with any affiliated stains costs $30 to $40 per hour. 

If parts of your carpet are too damaged to clean, in the case of missing or stained fibers, repairs are necessary before cleaning. Patching any obvious tears and rips costs $100 to $250 and patching burned areas costs $125 to $250. Patching sun-damaged or bleached carpets also costs $100 to $250, depending on damage severity. Repatching your carpet to match the size of the room costs $100 to $300. Finally, dying mismatched areas of carpeting to achieve parity costs $125 to $600, depending on size. 

Carpet Location

The location of the carpet also impacts the overall cleaning cost, especially with regard to accessibility. Cleaning carpeting in an apartment comes out to $25 to $75 per room, but pros charge more if you live on a higher floor because it’s difficult to transport cleaning equipment. 

Stairs are also a unique case, costing $2 to $5 per step, with costs added to the overall estimate, as stairs are tough to measure in square footage. 

Additional Costs

Some unique scenarios add to your overall carpet cleaning cost. Hiring a pro to remove furniture costs$70 to $600, depending on accessibility and the size of the fixtures. Water damage is also a serious concern. Water extraction costs $450 to $2,000 and must be performed before cleaning to prevent the build-up of mold and preserve the integrity of the carpet. 

Adding anti-stain protection costs $5 to $30 per room for pros to apply a layer of Scotchgard, Teflon, or a similar product. Applying a deodorizer costs $0.10 to $0.30 per square foot and adding an anti-static spray costs $0.07 to $0.10 per square foot. 

Cost by Cleaning Method

There are several common carpet cleaning methods, each with its pros, cons, and price ranges. Here is a general overview of these methods so you can make an informed decision when you gather estimates. 

Steam Cleaning

Steam cleaning, also known as hot water extraction or deep carpet cleaning, ranges between $100 and $400, depending on the level of dirt present and the durability of the carpet fibers. 

Steam-cleaning is one of the most popular methods for modern carpets and rugs, as it is relatively gentle on the carpet and does not void any warranties. However, it requires dedicated equipment such as vehicle-mounted cleaners, so accessibility is a factor. Also, steam-cleaned carpets must dry for at least 24 hours, so take that into consideration before booking an appointment. 

Shampoo

The price to shampoo your carpet ranges between $100 to $300, depending on its dirt severity, overall size, and any accessibility concerns. This cost also varies depending on the type of cleaner used, as extra-strength products and environmentally-friendly cleaners increase the cost by 10 to 15 percent. 

This cleaning method takes about 20 minutes, but you’ll need a dry vacuum to suck up any lingering debris once the carpet dries. Also, shampooing does a great job on the surface layer of the carpet but does not penetrate deep into the fibers for extracting hidden debris and dirt. Finally, too much shampooing can discolor the surface of the carpeting over time. 

Dry Cleaning 

Dry cleaning, also known as low moisture cleaning or encapsulation, costs $75 to $350, depending on size, accessibility, and dirt level. This method relies on chemicals instead of water and excels with surface-level cleaning, but it can struggle to clean deep-rooted fibers depending on the equipment used, as rotary machines provide a deeper clean than brushes. Generally speaking, you’ll get a deeper clean than shampooing but not when compared to steam-cleaning. 

A primary benefit of this type of carpet cleaning is that drying only takes around 20 minutes, so you can walk on your carpet again quickly. 

Carbonated Cleaning 

Carbonated carpet cleaning costs between $120 to $420, with an average price of $280. This method uses hot water to extract dirt and debris, and it offers a more surgical approach than steam-cleaning. This method uses much less water than steam cleaning, so the risk of developing mold and mildew is drastically reduced, as is the drying time. Of course, the average price reflects this increased efficacy compared to cleaning with steam. 

Hot Water Extraction 

Hot water extraction is similar to steam cleaning, but it’s primarily used to clean water-damaged carpet. You’ll pay $450 to $2,000 for the service, depending on the damage severity, carpet size, and accessibility. Hot water extraction experts use high-powered equipment to remove liquid and dirt from the carpeting. 

In some cases, pros recommend replacing the carpet padding, which adds to the overall cost. It’s essential to dry your carpeting quickly after this procedure using whatever methods recommended by your cleaner to avoid mold and mildew.

Bonnet Cleaning 

Bonnet cleaning is budget-friendly, costing about $25 to $85 for the service. This method requires polishing the surface of your carpet with a high-powered spinning pad. The process is quick and requires only 30 minutes to dry. However, bonnet cleaning only treats the surface layer of the carpeting or rug. Dirt and debris located in lower layers eventually rise, necessitating repeat treatments. 

Green Cleaning

Professional green carpet cleaning costs $115 to $220 per room, which is pricier than other types. However, this process uses non-toxic and organic cleaning agents. These natural cleaning agents also act as disinfectants and their effects last a long time, providing a long-term carpet cleaning solution. Pros apply the natural cleaning agents via steam extractors, hand brushes, and shampoo machines. 

Cost to Clean By Type of Carpet Material 

Here are some common carpet materials and their unique cleaning requirements, plus average price ranges. 

Synthetic

Cleaning synthetic carpeting costs between $60 to $300, including carpets made from nylon, polypropylene, polyester, and acrylic. Professionals prefer dry-cleaning methods, as some of these materials are sensitive to certain chemicals. 

For DIY maintenance, use a standard vacuum cleaner to suction up dirt and debris. Keep in mind that some synthetic carpets are easily cleaned using baking soda and water. Consult a carpet cleaning pro before attempting DIY cleaning routines to avoid accidental damage. 

Cotton

Cotton is fragile compared to other materials, so rely on steam cleaning for the best results. You’ll pay $100 to $300 to clean cotton carpets, depending on the size and the level of grime. Contractors recommend conducting a professional steam cleaning every year, with maintenance cleanings performed as needed. Cotton carpeting takes six to 12 hours to dry, so proceed with caution to avoid the build-up of mold, mildew, and associated bacteria. 

Wool

Wool is a fairly fragile carpet material and it doesn’t react well with chemicals or bleach, and some types of wool should avoid liquids of all kinds as they take a long time to dry. To that end, dry cleaning is the best method for this material, though hot water extraction is a decent choice if dried appropriately. Dry cleaning wool carpeting costs $100 to $400, depending on size, accessibility, and other factors. Pros recommend a dry-cleaning or hot water extraction every 12 to 18 months. 

Berber

Berber carpets are easy to clean and boast a reduced total cost. You’ll pay $80 to $200 to clean Berber carpets, though this price rises with large or extremely soiled carpets. Berber carpets are made of large fibrous loops that make it hard for dirt to penetrate deeper than the surface, thus the low difficulty level. Steam cleaning is the preferred method for this material type, and most pros recommend a thorough cleaning every 12 to 18 months.

Cut and Level Loop

Cut pile carpeting requires unique cleaning methods to avoid damage to the fibers. Pros use a high-powered dry vacuum cleaner with a rotating beater bar to agitate the lower layers and loosen dirt. Cleaning cut pile carpeting costs $60 to $120. Loop pile carpeting reacts favorably to steam cleaning and costs $60 to $120. 

Some variations of both types, such as Saxony cut, are susceptible to vacuum marks and even footprints, so exercise caution during the cleaning process. Other types like plush carpeting take a long time to dry, so set your schedule accordingly.

DIY Carpet Cleaning vs. Hiring Professional Cleaner

DIY carpet cleaning is an option, particularly if you have ready access to a powerful steam cleaner. Renting an appropriate steam cleaners costs $30 to $50 per day, plus the price of detergent, which is less expensive than the cost of hiring a local carpet cleaning professional to do the job. 

However, renting professional equipment carries some risk of damage to the carpet if you are inexperienced. Hiring a pro ensures a quick turnaround and a successful outcome while minimizing any risk to the carpet itself. Cleaning companies are insured and typically offer extensive warranties in case something goes wrong.

FAQs

How much does it cost to clean two rooms of carpet? 

Many carpet cleaners charge a flat per room rate of $75 to $125. In other words, you’ll pay $150 to $250 to clean two rooms of carpet, though this cost increases for extra-large rooms or carpets that are especially soiled and odorous. The cost also fluctuates depending on the type of carpet and the cleaning method. 

How do I know if my carpet needs cleaning? 

Generally speaking, experts recommend a professional carpet cleaning every 12 to 18 months. You can also hire a cleaning pro to address specific carpet-related issues as needed, such as food spills, pet accidents, and flooding damage. Finally, if your carpet looks dirty and smells dirty, it is dirty, so have it cleaned. 

How do I find a good carpet cleaner? 

Start by researching online via message boards, websites, and local directory services. Once you have a list of potential candidates, contact a representative from each company to discuss their experience level and to relay information regarding your specific needs. You should also reach out to previous customers to assess their experiences and the professionalism on display by the cleaning company.