How much does carpet cleaning cost?

The prices in the table and graphic above are national average carpet cleaning prices. Source: Thumbtack

There are two pricing models professionals use to calculate the cost of cleaning a homeowner's carpet:

• The cost per square foot
• The cost per room or area

"Carpet cleaners either charge by the square foot or a set price per room or area," says Sierra Phelps, owner of Zerorez Treasure Coast in Port Saint Lucie, Florida.

"When it comes to residential carpet cleaning, I find that having a set price per area (for example, room, hallway, staircase, etc.) is an easy way to be consistent," she explains. "If it's commercial carpeting, then it is charged a certain dollar amount per the square footage — also very consistent and able to understand.” 

Some companies also have minimum fee requirements. For example, they might charge a minimum of $250 or have a two-room minimum. 

If you have an especially large room or live on the top floor of a high rise, you may incur an extra cost. Stairs may cost more, and some companies may have specific prices to remove certain stains. 

Although professionals will take time into consideration, many do not have an hourly carpet cleaning rate. "I don't believe I have seen or heard of a cleaner that is hourly," says Oscar Lepe, owner of Lepe's Carpet Cleaning in Puyallup, Washington.

Here's a look at the national average carpet cleaning prices by the number of rooms a home has:

Source: Thumbtack

Pro tip: As you can see, cleaning two rooms isn't twice the cost of cleaning one room. And cleaning three rooms isn't triple the cost of cleaning one room. That's why you should hire a pro to clean all your carpeted areas in one visit instead of scheduling multiple visits.

"Usually, you want to do it all at once," says Oscar. "Companies tend to offer lower prices on added rooms or areas throughout the home. The more carpet, the better the value."

Carpet cleaning prices per square foot can range from $0.48-$0.66, assuming you have a medium or large living room and it costs approximately $144 (the national average) to clean its carpet. Of course, these costs can vary widely depending on the size of the room and other factors.

Also, remember that you may not be charged per square foot if you have a small area that needs cleaning. Instead, you may pay a flat rate for that specific area (like a hallway or stairs).

The number of rooms and the size of the area are the two biggest factors that a pro will consider when creating a quote. However, there are other considerations that they will pay attention to, including:

1. Condition of the carpet. 

"Stains are a big factor," says Travis Paeth, owner of Voda Cleaning & Restoration of South Austin in Austin, Texas. Heavily soiled or stained carpets may need specialized treatments, impacting the overall cost.

2. Type of carpet fibers. 

Different fibers require different carpet cleaning methods. For example, wool carpets are delicate and may need gentler cleaning solutions, which can be more costly. On the other hand, synthetic carpets may be more resistant to stains and easier to clean, resulting in a lower cost.

"Synthetic fibers are the most affordable to clean," says Travis. "Natural fibers are the most expensive to clean because the process takes longer to do correctly." 

3. Location and accessibility.

The cost can also be affected by the location of your property and the accessibility of the carpeted areas. If your property is in a remote area, the cleaning company may need to account for additional travel expenses.

If the carpeted areas are difficult to access, such as in multi-story buildings or tight spaces, the cleaning process may require additional time and effort — resulting in a higher cost.

4. Pre-work and additional services.

If your carpet requires more pre-work, you may pay more for professional carpet cleaning. Travis and Oscar mentioned that moving furniture can also be a cost factor. Vacuuming is another pre-work task that may influence pricing.

There may be other additional costs. For example, some companies may charge extra for pet stain removal, odor elimination, or carpet protection treatments.

Carpet cleaning companies often offer several different types of treatments, including:

Steam cleaning or hot water extraction.

To steam clean your carpets, a professional uses pressurized hot water to deep clean the carpet fibers. This helps loosen dirt, grime, and stains. The machine then extracts the hot water to remove stains and dirt from the carpet.

"Steam carpet cleaning is usually pre-treated with detergent and deodorizer, and then it's suctioned back out," says Oscar. "So, there is no soap left in your carpets." 

Oscar says there are two main price differences regarding steam cleaning carpets: truck-mount and portable machines. Truck-mount machines tend to be more expensive than portable ones, which are typically cheaper but may not be as powerful.

"The truck mount is much more powerful with its suction, high pressure, and heat," he says. "The portable is much less powerful and does not come with the heat at all. The cleaner must provide that by either heating up the water prior to cleaning or buying a separate heater."

Dry cleaning.

Dry cleaning involves sprinkling powder on your carpet to clean and deodorize it. The powder absorbs oil and loosens dirt. Then, the pro vacuums the powder to remove all dirt and residue.

What’s the biggest benefit of using this method? There's no drying time, and the process requires little to no water.

Shampoo cleaning.

During a shampoo cleaning, the pro will use detergent, warm water, and a machine to deep clean your carpets and attack stains.

Although shampooing effectively removes carpet stains, pros recommend steam cleaning instead of shampooing. "Shampooing a carpet opens up the risk of leaving shampoo behind on the fibers," says Travis. "And if not done properly, it can lead to a dingy look after the clean."

Bonnet cleaning.

Bonnet cleaning is a low-moisture carpet cleaning method. For this method, the pro uses a machine with a circular, absorbent pad that contains carpet cleaning solution. The machine scrubs the carpet to remove dirt and stains.

However, this method tends to only effectively remove dirt from the surface. In fact, "it's become more of a pre-treatment to steam cleaning rather than the actual cleaning now," says Oscar.

Which carpet cleaning method is better? 

According to all of the pros featured in this guide, steam cleaning is typically the most effective method — and dry cleaning is the least effective.

If you choose steam cleaning for your carpets, "Go with the truck-mount machine if you can afford it," says Oscar. "High heat equals cleanest carpets." 

Carpet cleaning can be a DIY-friendly task. Plus, it's much more budget-friendly. However, when comparing DIY methods to professional carpet cleaning, there are things to consider. It's important to weigh the pros and cons of both options before making a decision:

DIY cleaning can be cost-effective and convenient.

This is especially for small areas or minor stains. Many homeowners prefer this method as it allows them to save money and control the cleaning process.

Renting a deep cleaner costs about $20 to $30 a day, according to Consumer Reports. You can also buy a steam cleaner — some models cost less than $100, while state-of-the-art cleaners can cost several hundred dollars. 

"Having a small, portable carpet cleaning machine is smart for cleaning up quick spills before they become set in stains," says Sierra.

"If it's a small stain and doesn't need a lot of water, then those small machines work well," adds Oscar.

Additionally, various DIY carpet cleaning products are available on the market. It's easy to find  something that suits your needs.

DIY cleaning may not be as thorough as professional services.

The equipment and techniques pros use are more effective in removing deep-seated dirt and allergens.

"It's tough to get the same results as a professional service," says Travis. "We have equipment that gets water up to 300 degrees and can create 1,000 PSI of pressure. You need heat and pressure to create a good result."

"The small machines for home use don't have a ton of suction," adds Oscar.

DIY cleaning may lead to using the wrong products and techniques.

Improper cleaning techniques or using the wrong products can damage your carpet, leading to costly repairs or replacements.

"The risks [of DIY] could include using the wrong kind of product on your carpet," says Sierra. "This could harm the fibers or possibly bleach the areas you were trying to clean."

You may also apply too much water and cleaner, says Oscar. According to him, if you don't vacuum up all the water and chemicals, the dirt and cleaner can dry in the carpet and resurface later.

The bottom line.

Ultimately, the decision to clean yourself or hire professionals depends on your needs, budget, and schedule. Consider what tasks you can handle independently and what may require professional assistance.

It's best to hire professional carpet cleaners for a more comprehensive and efficient clean — especially for larger spaces or heavily soiled carpets.

If you're due for a carpet cleaning but on a tight budget, there are ways you can save money. Here are our best tips to reduce your costs:

1. Do some of the prep work yourself. "Clear the space, vacuum thoroughly prior to the arrival of the technician, and try to remove or improve any major stains," says Travis.

2. Look for coupons and discounts. Search online, and "always ask the company if they're running any specials," says Sierra.

3. Ask about portable steam cleaning machines. "Usually, they're much more price efficient" than truck-mount machines, says Oscar.

Cleaning your carpets regularly will lengthen their life and freshen up the look of your home. Find a professional carpet cleaner in your area today and ask for free cost estimates.