Carpet cleaning cost by home size
| Carpeted area | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 200 – 400 sq ft | $80 – $130 |
| 500 – 1,000 sq ft | $100 – $250 |
| 1,000 – 1,500 sq ft | $200 – $300 |
| 1,500 – 2,000 sq ft | $250 – $450 |
| 2,000 – 3,000 sq ft | $400 – $550 |
Most companies price by the room, with a "room" meaning up to about 200 sq ft. Hallways and large open areas usually count as rooms, and very large living rooms may count as two.
Add-ons and extras
| Extra | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Stairs | $2 – $5 per step |
| Pet odor treatment | $20 – $40 per room |
| Spot stain removal | $25 – $40 per area |
| Carpet protector | $10 – $40 per room |
| Area rugs | $2 – $8 per sq ft |
| Upholstery (sofa, chair) | $50 – $400 per piece |
| Moving furniture | $10 – $50 per piece |
Cleaning methods
- Hot water extraction (steam cleaning) is the most common professional method. It rinses deep into the pile and needs several hours to dry.
- Low-moisture or encapsulation cleaning dries faster and is common for offices and quick turnovers.
- Shampooing is an older method that can leave residue if it isn't rinsed well.
Professional vs renting a machine
Renting a carpet cleaner costs about $100 a day, plus $15 to $25 for detergent. That can make sense for one or two rooms. For a whole house, pet stains or stairs, a professional clean is often close in price and does a deeper job.
Moving out?
Many leases expect clean carpets at move-out. Add the carpet to your move-out cleaning estimate, and use the move-out cleaning checklist so nothing gets missed.
For carpet cleaning businesses
Quote per room with a clear minimum, and list stairs, pet treatment and protector as separate lines so customers see what they're paying for. Protector and pet treatment are easy add-ons on almost every job. Check what each job pays per hour with the calculator above, or work out your target rate with the hourly rate calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does carpet cleaning cost per room?
Most companies charge $40 to $125 per room, where a room is up to about 200 sq ft. A typical 3-bedroom home costs about $123 to $241 in total.
How much does it cost to clean carpet on stairs?
About $2 to $5 per step, or roughly $45 to $65 for a standard staircase.
Is there a minimum charge for carpet cleaning?
Usually, yes. Minimum service fees of about $75 to $125 are common, so cleaning a single small room often costs the minimum.
How much does pet odor treatment add?
Pet odor treatment and deodorizing usually add $20 to $40 per room. Heavy pet stains can cost more.
Is it cheaper to rent a carpet cleaner?
For a room or two, often yes: a rental is about $100 a day plus $15 to $25 for detergent. For a whole house or heavy stains, a professional clean is usually better value.