Carpet Cleaning Cost Overview
Professional carpet cleaning costs $100–$300 for a typical 3-bedroom home. Companies generally charge either by the room or by square footage.
Per-room pricing: $25–$75 per room (most common)
Per square foot: $0.20–$0.60 per sq ft
Minimum charge: $75–$125
Cost by Carpet Cleaning Method
| Method | Cost Range | Best For |
|---|
| Steam (hot water extraction) | $0.25–$0.50/sq ft | Deep cleaning, pet stains |
| Dry cleaning | $0.30–$0.60/sq ft | Quick-dry situations |
| Encapsulation | $0.15–$0.40/sq ft | Commercial/light soil |
| Bonnet cleaning | $0.15–$0.35/sq ft | Maintenance cleaning |
Steam Cleaning vs. Dry Cleaning
Steam cleaning (hot water extraction) is the most common and recommended method. It injects hot water and detergent deep into the carpet fibers, then extracts it along with dirt and debris. Carpets take 6–12 hours to fully dry.
Dry cleaning uses low-moisture chemical compounds that encapsulate dirt. Carpets are dry within 1–2 hours. Less effective for deeply embedded dirt or pet stains, but great when you need fast results.
Add-On Services and Costs
- Pet odor/stain treatment: $25–$75 per room
- Scotchgard protection: $0.15–$0.25 per sq ft
- Deodorizer treatment: $20–$50 per room
- Area rug cleaning: $50–$200 per rug (depending on size)
- Stair cleaning: $3–$5 per step, or $50–$80 per flight
- Furniture moving: $20–$50 if you can't move it yourself
How Carpet Condition Affects Price
Heavily soiled carpets with years of buildup, pet stains, or deeply embedded dirt require more time and chemicals:
- Lightly soiled: Standard rate
- Moderately soiled: +20–30%
- Heavily soiled / pet stains: +40–80%
- Extremely neglected: Some companies will decline or charge 2× the standard rate
How Often Should You Clean Your Carpets?
The IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) recommends:
- Households without pets or children: Every 12–18 months
- Households with pets or children: Every 6–12 months
- High-traffic commercial areas: Every 3–6 months
How to Save on Carpet Cleaning
- Clean multiple rooms at once — per-room rates drop with volume (often 10–20% off for 4+ rooms)
- Vacuum thoroughly first — removes surface dirt so technicians can focus on deep cleaning
- Move small furniture yourself — save the moving charge
- Book during off-peak times — weekday rates can be 10–15% lower
- Bundle with other services — many companies offer discounts when bundling carpet + upholstery or carpet + tile cleaning
Use our carpet cleaning cost calculator to get a local estimate.