How much does it cost to have carpet cleaned?

Author: Cordia Kreiger  |  Last update: Saturday, January 17, 2026

On average, professional carpet cleaning costs $150-$200, says David Steckel, home care expert at Thumbtack. “Carpet cleaning services may charge anywhere from $89-$109 on the low end and $300-$400 on the high end,” Steckel says.

How much should I expect to pay for carpet cleaning?

On average, carpet cleaning costs $0.25 to $0.50 per square foot. Many cleaners have a minimum square footage charge, or they charge a flat $100 to $150+ minimum fee for small jobs under a certain square footage.

Is it worth cleaning 20 year old carpet?

Age: If carpet is more than 12-15 years old, and hasn't been professionally cleaned at regular intervals, it most likely will need replacing. Conditions such as filter soiling, crushing, and traffic patterns will have taken their toll on the carpet, and a single cleaning will not undo decades of wear.

Is it cheaper to clean your own carpets?

A DIY carpet cleaning system may allow you to clean your carpets for a lower price point. However, be aware that you also will need to buy solution as well as rent the machine, driving up costs. Ultimately, by going the DIY route, you will sacrifice a major level of quality in the clean.

Is it worth having your carpets professionally cleaned?

Regular carpet cleaning can extend the life of your carpet as well as get rid of tough stains. Most carpet manufacturers recommend having carpet professionally cleaned every 12-18 months, depending on how much foot traffic your home gets.

How much does carpet cleaning cost?

Is it worth removing carpet yourself?

It is cheaper to remove the carpet yourself since you don't have to pay for labor, but there may be additional costs like getting the right tools and cleaning and preparing the subfloors for mold or mildew. DIY removal can be more challenging and time-consuming than professional removal.

How much does Stanley steemer charge for carpet cleaning?

Stanley Steemer typically charges around $50-$75 per room for areas exceeding 400 square feet. The cost may increase depending on the level of dirt or stains present. It's important to note that these prices are estimates and can vary depending on your location and specific requirements.

How do I estimate a carpet cleaning job?

Our research indicates that the average carpet cleaning cost per square foot is $0.25. Take your rate per square foot and multiply it by the square footage of the areas of the house that you clean to get your total estimate price.

Why is carpet cleaning so expensive?

The base price for carpet cleaning can escalate with the addition of services like stain removal, odor removal, and applying protectants. These services tackle specific issues such as pet odors, deep stains, or high traffic areas that require special attention and materials, which add to the cost.

Do carpets get dirtier after cleaning?

After the cleaning crew leaves, the gunk remaining in your carpeting acts like a magnet for a whole new layer of grime. Thankfully, there are ways to slow this process. Let's look at the starting point. After just one year, even new carpeting can hold as much as one pound of dust, dirt and mold per square inch.

What time of year is best for carpet cleaning?

This is during the spring and the autumn months of the year. Professional carpet cleaning in the spring just makes sense because spring cleaning! It can be an excellent way to start fresh by removing winter dirt, salt and debris buildup. Carpet cleaning in the spring can also help maintain an allergy-free workplace.

How can I save money on carpet cleaning?

One of the simplest ways to save money on carpet cleaning is to vacuum frequently. Regular vacuuming removes dirt and debris before they get embedded into the carpet fibers, which can make cleaning more difficult and costly later on. Aim to vacuum at least once a week, and more often in high-traffic areas.

Why is Stanley Steemer so expensive?

One factor that greatly impacts the cost of a professional cleaning is the specialized equipment and products being used during the process. These tools are more advanced than your average household vacuum or floor mop—here are some ways they differ: Degree of Cleaning: Professional cleaning processes may vary (ie.

Do you tip carpet cleaners?

If you wish to tip your carpet cleaner, 10% to 20% of the total bill is acceptable. If you have multiple cleaners on the job, you can split the tip between them. Another option is to tip them a flat fee of $10 to $20 per person. However, how much to tip your carpet cleaner is entirely up to your discretion.

Is it cheaper to rent a carpet cleaner or buy one?

Although buying a carpet cleaner will cost you more up front than renting one, it will almost certainly be cheaper than hiring a service, especially since you'll be able to use the appliance as often as you need.

How to price a carpet job?

The price per square foot can cost around $1 – $3, and cleanup can cost about $0.25 – $0.50 per square foot to remove the old flooring. The cost of furniture removal and custom cuts are also factors to consider when deciding how much to charge for carpet installation.

What is the average cost for carpet cleaning?

On average, professional carpet cleaning costs $150-$200, says David Steckel, home care expert at Thumbtack. “Carpet cleaning services may charge anywhere from $89-$109 on the low end and $300-$400 on the high end,” Steckel says.

How long does carpet cleaning service take?

How Long Does Carpet Cleaning Take? Although there is no definite answer, we estimate that professional carpet cleaning takes around 30 minutes for a room. Just keep in mind that it may take longer than this if your floors are stained or there is furniture you would like to be moved.

Is it better to shampoo or steam clean carpets?

Although we offer both approaches, in our opinion, steam cleaning tends to be the better option in most situations. Here's why: It can usually remove ingrained dirt more effectively – particularly stubborn stains that have embedded themselves deep into the fibres.

How long does Stanley Steemer take per room?

How long will it take to clean my carpets? On average, it will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes per room. This time can vary greatly depending on the amount of furniture to be moved, how soiled the carpet is, and any necessary spot removal treatments.

What is the average labor cost to remove carpet?

Hiring a Pro. If you're removing carpet from a standard 12-foot-by-12-foot room, you'll pay between $140 and $430 to hire a professional carpet removal team. However, this price might include the cost of moving furniture, hauling the carpet away, and recycling it at a proper center, depending on the service package.

Should I wear a mask when removing carpet?

Yes, it's recommended to wear a dust mask when removing carpets. Carpet removal can bring dust, dirt, and other allergens into the air, which can be harmful to your respiratory system. Make sure to wear safety glasses as well to protect your eyes from flying debris.

Is it healthier to not have carpet?

At home, kitchens, bathrooms and entryways should always be carpet-free because they are frequently damp, providing a good environment for mold. To reduce the amount of dirt and pollutants that are tracked in from outdoors, use durable, commercial-grade door mats outside entryways. At home, remove shoes upon entry.

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