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Carpet Cleaning Cost

By Heather

Last updated 23rd May 2025 - Reading time: 18 mins

At a Glance

The average cost of carpet cleaning is around £260.
Professional carpet cleaning takes about 3 hours to complete.

In this guide, you'll find the following:

NEW! Our carpet cleaning cost calculator, which gives you a quick and easy estimate of how much carpet cleaning costs per room.
Typical carpet cleaning prices for different-sized rooms and types of carpet.
How long it takes a professional to clean a carpet, and a general overview of the methods that are used.
How to find and hire a local carpet cleaner.

Want to know how much professional carpet cleaning cost?

On average, you can expect carpet cleaning prices you're quoted to be around £260 in the UK. However, the exact cost you're quoted will depend on the amount of carpet that needs cleaning and the method that is being used.

So, how can this guide help you?

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find out how carpet cleaning costs for different rooms, sizes, and types of carpet. It's also packed full of advice from cleaning experts on MyJobQuote.

Ready to get a quote?

Use MyJobQuote to get free, no obligation quotes from carpet cleaners near you. It's fast, easy, and connects you with local specialists.

Want to find out more about carpet cleaning costs?

Continue reading below...

Average Carpet Cleaning Cost:

Depending on the complexity of the job, it usually takes: 2 – 3 hours

£260

How Much is Carpet Cleaning?
- Carpet Cleaning Prices
What Impacts Carpet Cleaning Costs?
Is It Worth Cleaning My Existing Carpets?
Can I Clean Carpet Myself?
Types of Carpet Cleaning
Checklist: Hiring a Professional Carpet Cleaner in the UK
FAQs
Sources

Carpet Cleaning Cost Calculator (Per Room)

How Much is Carpet Cleaning?

Sometimes, carpets are simply too worn and dirty for your vacuum cleaner. If you’ve kids and pets, the dirt, spillages, and dust will build up over time — despite regular hoovering!

And, if you're living in rented accommodation, having your carpets professionally cleaned is usually a condition of your end of tenancy cleaning agreement.

Before you rush out and buy brand new carpets, you could save money by calling in professional cleaners for a deep clean — giving your existing carpets a new lease of life.

So, how much does deep carpet cleaning cost?

Professional carpet cleaning costs that you're quoted will vary depending on the size of the room that needs cleaning. The average carpet cleaning cost per m² is around £2.50.

This means that carpet cleaning costs for a small bedroom will be around £30 while cleaning the carpets in a large bedroom will cost about £50. The cost of carpet cleaning for the stairs and landing will be around £40.

If you need your carpets cleaned in your living room, then you should expect to pay about £45, while an open-plan living room with a dining area typically costs around £90.

If you would prefer to have all the carpets in your home cleaned, then this will depend on the type and size of your home.

For example, carpet cleaning costs for a two-bedroom terraced property would be around £160, while carpet cleaning prices for a 4-bedroom detached house would be closer to £360.

Carpet cleaning costs will vary depending on the company you choose, as well as whether you require carpet cleaners to move furniture (as this typically means the job takes them longer to complete).

How much it costs to clean a carpet will also depend on how dirty your carpets are. If there are spills and stains that you want the carpet cleaner to deal with, it'll take them longer — which translates to a higher quote.

What's the best way to get foundation makeup out of wool carpet?

"Do not use hoke chemical or ammonium that will make it worse!

Spirit vinegar and fungicidal fluid from Wickes or B&Q - both mixed in a small cup. Gently dab with a dishcloth, then drench the same cloth in boiling water. Wring it and place it on top of the stain for a couple of hours. Then, use a plastic bristle brush in one direction, using only oxi-clean. It will definitely come out!"

Fast Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

Carpet Cleaning Prices

The table below sets out the costs for different-sized carpet cleaning jobs, ordered by room size:

Job Description	Average Cost
Small bedroom (12m²)	£25 – £35
Large bedroom (20m²)	£45 – £55
Stairs and landing (15m²)	£35 – £45
Living room (16m²)	£35 – £50
Open-plan Living room and dining room (36m²)	£80 – £100

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Carpet cleaning generally takes around half an hour for a small or large bedroom, and up to an hour for a typical living room.

Let's now take a look at carpet cleaning prices based on house size:

Job Description	Average Cost
2-bedroom terraced home (64m²)	£140 – £175
3-bedroom semi-detached (96m²)	£210 – £260
4-bedroom detached house (147m²)	£325 – £400

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The average timescale for carpet cleaning is around 2 to 3 hours to clean all the rooms in a 3-bedroom detached home.

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What Impacts Carpet Cleaning Costs?

Your carpet's size plays a big role in how much you'll pay for carpet cleaning. Most carpet cleaning specialists charge per square metre, so the larger the room, the more you should expect to pay.

But, other things can add to your overall costs. Let's take a look:

Carpet Material

Your carpet's material can make a big difference to your cleaning cost. Some carpet materials are more challenging to clean than others, increasing the job's time and labour costs, while others are easier to clean.

Natural carpets, such as wool or sisal, require specific cleaning products and specialist care, making them cost more.

Synthetic carpets, such as nylon and polyester, are easier to clean. They're more resistant to stains, usually only requiring spot treatments, lowering their service costs.

Type of Carpet Cleaning Service

Different carpets need different cleaning services. Here's what you can expect to pay for dry, wet, and encapsulating services:

Cleaning Method	Average Cost per Bedroom	Average Cost per 3-Bed Semi-Detached House
Dry carpet cleaning	£30 - £40	£230 - £270
Hot water extraction	£35 - £50	£240 - £280
Foam capsulation	£28 - £38	£210 - £250

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Carpet Condition

Professional carpet cleaners will ask to see your carpet before giving you a price for their service. This is so they can assess the condition its in.

For example, if you have stubborn stains on a natural fibre carpet, you should expect to pay more for spot treatments on these areas.

Location of Property

Your geographical location also plays a part in determining your carpet cleaning costs.

While the majority of cleaning companies base their prices on the size of the room or house they need to clean, with costs ranging from around £2.50 per m², some carpet cleaning companies may charge more if they need to travel further to remote areas.

If you live in northern England, most carpet cleaning specialists charge a minimum day rate of about £105. In comparison, London carpet cleaning companies can charge up to and beyond £150 per day for the same service.

Ease of Access

How easy is it to access the rooms where the carpet needs to be cleaned? Some carpet cleaning professionals may charge more for a space that is difficult to clean, such as a small attic or basement bedroom.

You'll also typically be charged more if you're expecting the cleaners to move any furniture before they start carpet cleaning. Once the cleaning is complete, you'll be charged again if you want them to move it back.

What is the main reason you're hiring a carpet cleaner?

Deep cleaning before selling/renting

2 votes - 29%29% of votes

Removing stains and odours

4 votes - 57%57% of votes

Regular maintenance

0 votes - 0%0% of votes

Allergies or health reasons

1 votes - 14%14% of votes

Saving time and effort

0 votes - 0%0% of votes

7 votes See results

Is It Worth Cleaning My Existing Carpets?

If your carpets are a far cry from the fluffy, clean pile they used to have, it can be tempting to think you'd be better off ripping them up and fitting new carpets instead of getting them cleaned.

The decision isn't black and white: it depends on the condition of your carpet, how deep-set the stains are, and how worn the pile is. If it's threadbare, no amount of stain removal will bring it back to life.

With that in mind, let's look at some new carpet and flooring costs to help you weigh up your choices:

New Carpet Cost

If your existing carpets are heavily soiled and damaged, it's likely time to replace them.

Average carpet fitting costs range between £275 for a budget carpet, and up to £625 for a high-quality carpet.

However, replacing like-for-like will often result in the same outcome. If your home has heavy footfall, with children and pets, then you might want to consider a completely different flooring type with less maintenance and higher performance instead.

New Flooring Cost

For instance, laminate flooring costs around £1,060 to get installed in an average-sized room, and requires only basic maintenance (just sweeping and damp mopping most of the time). Stains won't set into this flooring like they would a fibre carpet, making it a better choice for spill-prone households.

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is another low-maintenance alternative. LVT flooring costs around £1,165 for an average-sized room.

Can I Clean Carpet Myself?

You can do some deep carpet cleaning yourself as a DIY job to save money, but it is a lot of work. Because of this, most will prefer to contact a local carpet cleaning specialist to do the job professionally for them.

But, if you wish to clean the carpets in your home yourself or want to save on the overall cost, you could consider purchasing your own carpet cleaning supplies, including:

Cleaning Product	Supply Cost
Carpet cleaner machines (light home use)	£90 – £300
Carpet cleaner machines (commercial use)	£2,200 – £4,200
Heated carpet cleaner machines	£2,200 – £4,600
Dry carpet cleaning machines	£350 – £1,700
Carpet cleaning hoses	£65 – £225
Carpet cleaning wands	£115 – £250
Carpet cleaning detergent	£15

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So, what's the difference between the £200 machine sitting in my garage and a professional cleaner of £2,000+?

Let's look at the key differences between the two:

Carpet Cleaner (light home use)

Pros

✔ Can easily be thousands of pounds cheaper than a commercial-grade carpet cleaner
✔ Good for refreshing your carpet in between full cleans

Cons

✖ Lower cleaning power with less suction and water pressure than professional-grade models
✖ Slower to use compared to a professional cleaner, requiring more passes to get clean

Carpet Cleaner (commercial use)

Pros

✔ Superior cleaning power compared to light-use models, ideal for deep-set stains at high temperatures
✔ Covers large areas quickly without the need for multiple passes

Cons

✖ Far more expensive than light home use carpet cleaners
✖ Bulky and hard to manoeuvre due to commercial-grade components

How do I know if my carpet needs cleaning?

If you've noticed any of the following, it's a sign you need your carpets cleaned:

Strong odour coming from the carpet
Stubborn stains embedded into the fibres
Allergy flare-ups due to build-up of dust

If you have stubborn stains that haven't responded to your cleaning, it's a good idea to get a professional in - but if you have a new stain or mark that's not particularly deep-set, you could try your hand at DIY.

To ensure your carpet remains in good condition, you should try to have your carpet cleaned every 12 to 18 months, as this will maintain your carpet while also saving you a significant amount on a new carpet installation.

How Do I Clean My Carpets?

To get the best results from a deep clean carpet DIY project, here's how to clean your carpet properly:

First, vacuum your carpets.
Once free of dust and debris, you can spray shampoo and hot water into your carpet's pile using the carpet cleaning machine.
Use the cleaning head to work into the carpet, and loosen the dirt by agitating the fibres before it is sucked up.
After the first initial sweep, repeat the entire process without using any shampoo for the best results.

Types of Carpet Cleaning

There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to carpet cleaning. Professional cleaners will usually begin by checking the pH level and material of your carpet so they can choose the most effective solutions to avoid causing damage to the material.

The most common types of carpet cleaning are:

Dry Carpet Cleaning Cost

Dry carpet cleaning is one of the most popular methods, which was first invented in the 1980s for carpets which do not have a high level of water resistance.

This process usually involves the use of a rotary carpet cleaning machine, which is used to apply and spread a low-moisture cleaning powder into the carpet fibres.

The average cost of dry carpet cleaning is around £30 to £40 for a small bedroom, and between £230 to £270 for a 3-bed semi-detached house.

Pros

✔ This service is dry by nature, so there's no drying time, meaning you can walk on your carpet again immediately
✔ Ideal for delicate fabrics and natural carpets
✔ Made from biodegradable materials which work like a micro-sponge to extract dirt quickly and easily

Cons

✖ Can leave behind an unpleasant smell
✖ Less effective on deep-set stains than wet carpet cleaning
✖ May leave a residue behind

Hot Water Extraction Cost

How water extraction cleaning or steam carpet cleaning involves the use of high-pressure hot water, which works to eradicate stubborn dirt. It also involves applying cleaning agents to stubborn stains, which are typically spread by a professional carpet cleaning machine.

The average cost of hot water extraction is around £35 to £50 for a small bedroom, and between £240 to £280 for a 3-bed semi-detached house.

Pros

✔ Gets rid of stale odours
✔ One of the most hygienic carpet cleaning methods, as it kills off microorganisms trapped in the fibres
✔ Can remove stubborn, set-in stains

Cons

✖ Long drying time after treatment, with some carpets taking up to 12 hours to fully dry
✖ Heat and moisture aren't suitable for all carpet fibres and are too harsh for natural carpets
✖ Equipment can be bulky, making it tricky to use in small spaces

Foam Capsulation Cost

Encapsulation carpet cleaning involves the use of a rotary brush, which is operated to spread a crystal polymer-based cleaner into your carpet’s fibres. The solution will then dry, and the carpet will be vacuumed to remove excess dirt.

The average cost of foam capsulation is around £28 to £38 for a small bedroom, and between £210 to £250 for a 3-bed semi-detached house.

Pros

✔ No need to rinse or dry the carpet once treated, meaning you can use your carpet soon after
✔ There's no dirt or debris left behind from the treatment
✔ Low-moisture cleaning method, reducing the risk of mould growth from getting the carpet too wet

Cons

✖ Encapsulation is a hard task, best left to the professionals, and isn't something you should DIY
✖ Limited cleaning ability on oily or grease-based stains
✖ Chemicals are used, making it less eco-friendly than other carpet cleaning options

Should all cleaners/cleaning services be insured?

"It isn't a legal necessity to have insurance as a cleaner. However, in the event of an accident that damages the homeowner's property, having insurance means the business is able to make a claim for repair or replacement of the damaged items.

I personally would be concerned if a cleaner wasn't insured, as I would worry about how any damage would be paid for."

Spick'n'Span Cleaning

Checklist: Hiring a Professional Carpet Cleaner in the UK

Before hiring a cleaning specialist to revamp your carpet, take a look at the following checklist to ensure you choose the right person for the job:

Use MyJobQuote to find reputable, local traders, and gather at least 3 quotes to compare pricing.
Ask for quotes to be itemised so you can see exactly what's included in your quote.
Got any stubborn stains or hard-to-reach areas? Make sure you let your cleaning specialist know this before they come to do the job, as these factors may impact your overall costs.
Take a look at the trader's customer reviews and any photos or videos of their past projects.
Ask if they're a member of an accredited organisation such as the National Carpet Cleaners Association.
Make sure that they have public liability insurance, as well as employers' liability insurance, in case any accidents happen during the service.

FAQs

What is the best homemade carpet cleaning solution?

If you wish to save money and clean your carpet yourself, then you can use your own cheap carpet cleaner using a homemade solution. One of the easiest homemade carpet cleaners includes two tablespoons of liquid detergent, ¼ cup of all-purpose cleaner, one scoop of OxiClean, one teaspoon of fabric softener and a gallon of hot water.

This will act as a carpet cleaner and conditioner, which will not only make your carpets look brand new but also make them smell good.

How much carpet cleaning solution do I need?

The amount of cleaning solution you apply to your carpet will depend on its size, as the larger the space, the more product you will need; however, you need to be careful about adding too many water-based products to a natural or tufted carpet.

The amount will also depend on how dirty your carpets are, as any stubborn stains will require a lot more solution than cleaner areas.

Why does my carpet smell after cleaning?

The most common cause for a bad-smelling carpet after a thorough cleaning is that too much moisture will be used, and it will not dry. This will cause a damp smell, which may disappear after the carpet is dried, or it may linger.

If it does not dry quickly, then the carpet could be susceptible to mildew growth, which will begin to make the smell worse. To avoid this, you should consider hiring a carpet cleaning specialist, as they will ensure the method used is the right one, and they will also make your carpet smell great.

Will the carpet be left wet after professional cleaning?

Perhaps a little damp but not soaking. A little moisture is normal, but just turn on the heating and open the windows to allow the moisture to dry off.

The carpet shouldn’t be noticeably wet and can be walked on without issues afterwards.

Do carpet cleaning professionals also clean rugs, furniture, and curtains?

Some professional carpet cleaners will also be able to clean rugs, furniture, and curtains. However, each of these jobs requires specialist equipment to clean — which not all carpet cleaners will have.

Why should I get my carpets cleaned?

Carpets absorb all sorts of nasty stuff over the years, including chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, contaminants, allergens, volatile organic compounds, asbestos, dust mites, bacteria, grease, oil, sand, soil plus food and drink particles. Regular hoovering will help to keep the carpets clean, but at some point, a deep professional clean (or new carpets) will be required!

How often should my carpets be cleaned?

It obviously depends on several factors, such as the age and condition of the carpet, along with whether or not you have children or pets making a mess! But generally, once a year works well unless there are people with allergies, asthma or other breathing-related conditions in the home. Doctors recommend carpets be professionally cleaned every 3 to 6 months for those with allergies.

What should I do before the cleaners arrive?

Prior to the carpet cleaner’s arrival, you should remove everything on the floor from the areas that are to be cleaned. So furniture, shoes, toys, everything to be cleared out, leaving just the carpet to be cleaned.