How Much Does Carpet Cleaning Cost?

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

Between family dinners, your pets, and all the foot traffic in your home, keeping your carpets clean can seem like a constant battle. But sometimes, all your carpets really need is a professional deep clean to get rid of the grime and allergens hiding in the fibers. Professional carpet cleaning costs between $123 and $241 for most homeowners, with an average of $181 for a standard three-bedroom home.

Prices depend on factors like the size of each room, the cleaning method used, and the type of carpet you have. Some companies charge by the square foot, while others have a flat per-room rate of $75 to $125.

Regular carpet cleaning not only keeps your home looking fresh but also helps eliminate mold and allergens, extending the life of your carpet. Plus, neglecting your carpets for too long could lead to needing a full carpet replacement, which costs between $3 and $11 per square foot, plus an additional $1 to $1.50 per square foot for removal.

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

Carpet cleaning costs can vary based on the size of your rooms. Most professional cleaners charge between $0.20 and $0.40 per square foot or offer a flat rate of $75 to $125 per room. If you have larger rooms, you might pay more because they take more time and materials to clean. Many contractors set a size limit on their per-room pricing, so extra-large spaces may be priced per square foot instead.

If you're looking to clean carpets in a commercial space, hiring a commercial carpet cleaner will cost between $0.15 and $0.25 per square foot, which is slightly less than residential carpets due to the decreased difficulty.

Here are some price estimates for a wide variety of room or carpet sizes:

When estimating costs, it's helpful to measure your carpet before gathering estimates so you’ll have accurate information to give your cleaning contractor.

In addition, some carpet cleaning companies may charge extra for moving furniture if this service is not included in the standard cleaning fee. Furniture moving and removal generally costs $10–$50 per item or $20–$50 per hour, depending on the job’s specifics.

Condition of Carpet

Thecondition of your carpet plays a big role in the overall cleaning cost. If you have stains, removing them can cost an additional $25 to $40 per stained area. Food-related stains areusually less expensive to remove than pet-related stainsbecause pet stains sink deeper into the carpet fibers and take more time to extract. Pet stain and odor removal typically costs $30 to $50 per hour.

If you've experienced water damage, that's a serious concern. Water extraction costs between $450 and $2,000 and needs to be done before cleaning to prevent mold growth and protect your carpet. Additional treatments like Teflon or Scotchgard cost $20–$40 per project, while deodorizing costs $0.10 to $0.30 per square foot, and adding an anti-static spray runs about $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, costs between $100 and $400, depending on how dirty your carpets are and the type of fibers they have.

Steam cleaning is a popular method because it's gentle on carpets and won't void any warranties. It uses hot water under pressure to clean deep into the crevices of your carpet, loosening dirt and grime that get sucked up and removed. Keep in mind that after steam cleaning, your carpets will need about 24 hours to dry, so plan accordingly when booking your appointment.

Shampoo

The price to shampoo your carpet ranges between $100 and $300, depending on its dirt severity, overall size, and 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 steamcleaning.

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 steamcleaning. 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 type, 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 drycleaning 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

Thinking about cleaning your carpets yourself? You can rent a steam cleaner for about $100 per day, plus another $15 to $25 for detergent, which might seem cheaper than hiring a professional.

But keep in mind that using professional equipment without experience can risk damaging your carpet. If you're not careful, you might tear up fibers or leave your carpet too wet, leading to mold growth. Hiring a pro not only saves you time but also ensures the job is done right. Professional cleaners are insured and typically offer warranties, giving you peace of mind that your carpets are in good hands.

Hire a professional carpet cleaner today to ensure the best results.

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. We surveyed over 30,000 real customers about their project 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.