Carpet cleaning prices: How much does carpet cleaning cost?

Read this carpet cleaning cost guide to learn how to calculate the cost of getting your carpets or rugs cleaned by a professional, and get tips on how to find a carpet cleaning pro near you.  

How much you’ll pay for carpet cleaning services can vary depending on how many rooms need a cleaning. Here’s a look at the average cost of carpet cleaning depending on how many rooms you have:

On average, it costs approximately $120 to clean two rooms of carpet. However, carpet cleaning prices change vary depending on numerous details — especially the total square footage.

Some companies may charge you for their services depending on the square footage of the room. Typically, prices start at about $0.15 -$0.20 per square foot and go up to an estimated $0.40 -$0.50 per square foot. Companies may charge extra for carpeted stairs or deep stains that take longer to clean. 

Depending on how much the carpet cleaning company charges, cleaning 500 square feet of carpet can range from approximately $75-$250. This estimate is assuming you're paying $0.15-$0.50 per square foot for carpet cleaning.

Steam and dry cleaning are two of the best ways to remove dirt and grime from your carpets. And steam cleaning, specifically, may also remove bacteria from your carpets. 

Steam cleaning, dry cleaning and carpet shampooing are effective methods to remove difficult stains, but keep in mind that you will need to give your carpets time to dry before walking on them again. It’s often recommended to try steam cleaning your carpet if other methods didn’t successfully clean your carpet. 

On average, commercial carpet cleaning services cost $350 and costs typically range from $292-$457
. However, carpet cleaning prices can range from $120-$150 on the low end and $1,200-$1,564 on the high end.

Commercial carpet cleaning prices:

Do you have a rug that also needs cleaning? What about furniture or drapes? Or, maybe you have non-carpeted flooring — wood, laminate, tile or vinyl flooring — that also needs to be cleaned.

Fortunately, many companies that offer carpet cleaning services tend to also offer additional house cleaning services, including: 

• Carpet shampooing
• Hot-water extraction
• Area rug cleaning
• Wet and dry upholstery cleaning
• Tile and grout cleaning
• Move-out cleaning
• Water damage restoration services
• Drapery and blind cleaning
• Laminate and hardwood floor cleaning
• Concrete floor cleaning

You can also ask the company you’re considering about extra services such as: 

• Pre-spray or pre-treatments
• High-pressure cleaning
• Carbonating
• Carpet stretching and re-stretching
• Deodorizers
• Carpet removal
• Carpet repairs
• Carpet installation

Square footage, the number of rooms and the specific treatment or cleaning method are the biggest factors that will impact how much you will pay for professional carpet cleaning services. 

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

If you have an especially large room or if you 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 types of stains. 

Often, you can save money by doing some of the prep work yourself, such as moving your furniture out of the room and pre-vacuuming your floors. 

You may also save money by asking the professional to only clean high-traffic areas, such as hallways, entryways, etc. The carpet under your living room couch, for example, will always benefit from a quick vacuum. But — because it’s hidden away from foot traffic — it may not need to be deep-cleaned. 

Don’t hesitate to ask companies about special deals or discounts. They might offer packages or discounts for military members or senior citizens, for example. 

If you’re physically unable to clean your carpets, hiring a carpet cleaner may be necessary. Steam or dry cleaning the carpets in your rooms can be a long, strenuous activity. Make sure you're physically up for the task.

You should also hire a professional if you don’t want to invest in the carpet cleaning tools and equipment. 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. 

And lastly, hiring a professional is a good idea if you’re moving out of a rented home or apartment. Professional companies can remove stains and spots that may help you get your security deposit back. Also, consider hiring a professional to clean your carpets if you're preparing to sell your home.

Notice a strange, moldy odor coming from your carpet? Working on the same stain for a year that just won’t go away? At a certain point, it comes time to go a step beyond cleaning and simply remove the carpet. 

If your carpeting is more than 15 years old, it’s likely time to install new carpeting. For carpets that aren’t old but have gone through serious damage, repairing the carpet may be the best choice. This may happen if a pet chewed up your still-new carpet, or if you have a permanent stain that you simply can’t be removed. 

In most cases, it will be cheaper to clean your carpet than replace it. The average cost to replace or install new carpets is $550-$913 — and prices can reach as high as $3,000-$4,500.

You have many options to choose from when it comes time to hire a pro. Use these tips to ensure you make the right choice for your home:

Step 1: Check licenses and insurance.

Check to make sure your carpet cleaner holds the proper business license for your city or state. Although carpet cleaners are not required to hold a certification, some may be approved by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. 

Before you hire, ask the professional if they hold insurance. This will protect them (and you) in case of an accident during the cleaning process.

Step 2: Read reviews and ratings on the pros’ profiles.

Go online and browse through the top-rated professional carpet cleaners in your area. Read their profiles to get a sense of the type of services they offer. And take time to read several reviews left by past customers. Look for information about the cleaners’ quality of work, and try to find before-and-after photos of customers’ carpets. 

Step 3: Get free estimates from three to five pros.

Aim to narrow down your list of potential pros to three or five. Then, contact the pros to get free estimates. To ensure you receive accurate quotes, give the pros as much information about your carpets as possible. For example, tell them how many rooms you need to have cleaned, the square footage, your carpet type and its current condition. 

Step 4: Watch out for hidden fees.

When you’re in contact with the pro, make sure you get a written list of all of the fees you can expect to pay for their carpet cleaning services. Some companies may have additional charges for add-ons like spot removal or deodorizers. If you think you may require extra services, let the companies know so you know exactly how much it will cost — and you don’t get a shocking amount on your bill. 

For more tips on hiring safely, visit Thumbtack’s Smart Hiring guide.

Here are the answers to common questions that may come up during the carpet cleaning process.

Is professional carpet cleaning worth it?

Yes, getting a professional cleaning can lengthen the lifetime of your carpet. Another reason to have a professional clean your carpet is because your warranty may depend on it. 

If you’re worried about allergies, try finding a carpet cleaning company that offers eco-friendly services. 

How often should you clean your carpet?

You should clean your carpets at least every 12 to 18 months. Clean them more often if you have a lot of foot traffic in your rooms. If you have pets, look for a cleaning service that can deodorize your carpets. 

How many years should you keep carpet?

Most people replace their carpets every seven years. If you clean and maintain your carpet, it may last anywhere from five to 15 years. 

How long do professionally cleaned carpets take to dry?

Generally, carpets will take six to 10 hours to dry, though it could take as much as 24 hours. It depends on the cleaning method and the conditions within your home. 

What happens when you don't clean your carpet?

If you don’t clean your carpet regularly, it will wear down quicker. You may also start to notice an odor, especially if you have pets. Carpets will collect dirt, dust and bacteria that may even cause health issues or discomfort — especially if you have asthma or allergies. 

Can old carpet make you sick?

Old carpets can collect dust mites and germs that may make you sick.