It typically costs about $200 to have carpet cleaned by a professional. By room, costs can range anywhere from about $30 to $80. The total cost of your project will depend on the amount of floor space you need cleaned, but most homeowners tend to pay about $100 to $300, with high-end projects costing up to $500.

• How much does professional carpet cleaning cost?
• What are the different methods of carpet cleaning?
• How much does carpet cleaning cost per square foot?
• What other factors can affect the cost of professional carpet cleaning?

Hiring a professional to clean your carpet can really pay off — after just a few hours of work, you’ll get to enjoy that soft, plush feeling underfoot again, and getting regular professional cleanings can help your carpet last for years to come. While vacuuming as often as you can is great, it just can’t compare with the level of deep cleaning a professional can accomplish. A number of factors can affect the price of a professional carpet cleaning, including the cleaning method, local rates and any extras, like stain removal. To ensure you get your money’s worth, read on to learn more about the cost of getting a sparkling-clean carpet.

Read to get started? Find carpet professionals

Tobi Fairley Interior Design · More Info

Professionals can clean your carpet in a couple of different ways, either by steam cleaning or dry cleaning. Steam cleaning is the most popular method, as it’s able to do a more thorough job. However, it’s also more expensive and time-intensive than dry cleaning.

Steam cleaning involves pumping hot water and chemicals at high pressure into the carpet to clean out dirt. The water and dirt are then suctioned away from the carpeting, which is left to fully dry. This is a highly effective method of getting dirt and debris cleaned from even the deepest spots within your carpet. The carpet does require a full 24 hours to dry afterward, during which you can wear protective booties or socks if you do need to walk on it.

Dry cleaning uses a solution of chemicals and a small amount of water to clean carpeting. If you have a wool carpet, this method may be the best option, as wool can be particularly sensitive to water. Dry cleaning also takes less time, dries quickly and can be cheaper. But this cleaning process doesn’t penetrate as deep into the carpeting and won’t provide the same level of freshness as steam cleaning.

In general, you can expect most professional carpet cleaning services to charge between 15 and 40 cents per square foot, or anywhere from $30 to $80 per room. Some cleaning companies charge by the square foot, while others charge by the room. In addition, some contractors may have square footage cutoffs, meaning particularly large rooms might cost more. Finally, if you’re having only one or two rooms done, rates may actually be higher, to account for transportation and setup expenses for a short job. That’s why it’s always a good idea to discuss rates with your contractor ahead of time, whether you’re doing a couple of rooms or having your entire home cleaned.

• 200-square-foot room: $30 to $80
• 1,000-square-foot home: $150 to $400
• 2,000-square-foot home: $300 to $800

Melanie Stewart Designs · More Info

There are a number of other factors that can affect the overall price of your carpet-cleaning project. The type of carpet you have and extra services like stain or furniture removal can all impact the cost of a professional cleaning. Learn more about these cost factors below.

Different types of carpet require different methods of cleaning and care. Synthetic carpets are the easiest to clean, while wool and wool-blend carpets require gentler handling. Because wool carpeting is particularly sensitive to water damage, you may need to choose a dry cleaning method. Your contractor will be able to advise you on what sort of method is best for your carpet.

Besides the materials your carpet is made of, the type of pile it has can also affect the difficulty of cleaning. Tightly looped Berber carpets are the easiest to clean, while cut-pile carpets and those with varied loops and levels can be more difficult. That’s because the latter two carpet types have more crevices for dirt to rest in. Your contractor may or may not charge different rates for different carpet types.

Services like stain removal are not always included in the base fee that carpet cleaning companies charge. If you have stains that need professional attention, you should let your contractor know and discuss rates ahead of time. Keep in mind that not all stains are the same, and pet stains or red wine can be much trickier to remove than basic food stains.

If you need your furniture removed ahead of time, this could be an additional cost. While you can have your carpet cleaned without removing your furniture, if you’re selling your home or simply want the most thorough job possible, it can be best to completely clear the space.

More: Out, Darn Spot! How to Handle Carpet Stains