How much does carpet cleaning cost? [June 2024]

Which other factors impact the cost of a carpet cleaning service?

Where you live, when you book and whether you book a local independent cleaner or a cleaning company will all affect the cost of your carpet cleaning service.

1. Where you live

If you're in London, it's likely that you'll pay 20%-30% more for carpet cleaning, with a carpet cleaning service often costing up-to £50 per carpet.

If you're outside of London, then you'll likely see the cost of a carpet cleaning service top out at around £40 per carpet.

2. When you book

You'll find that some carpet cleaning services charge a little more for a same-day or next-day service, and they may also charge more for carpet cleaning during unsociable hours - for example, at the weekends, during early morning slots or in the evenings.
 

3. Whether you book an independent cleaner or a cleaning company

You'll normally find that independent cleaners and small cleaning agencies charge lower rates than larger, more established cleaning companies. Depending on how large the cleaning company you're instructing are, they may or may not charge VAT on their services (which could save you paying an additional 20%).

Well known cleaning companies will charge more for carpet cleaning services. But they also have a number of benefits too - including more responsive customer service, greater accountability if anything goes wrong, and cover cleaners available in case of illness. or emergency on the day.

 

Why should I get my carpets professionally cleaned?
 

1. Remove stains and smells

Hot water extraction is the most effective way to remove stains, pet hair, allergens and smells from your carpets. The service can be particularly handy if you're moving out of a rented property and need to ensure that any stains you've left are cleared up before you hand back the keys.

2. A better finish to your carpets

Recently-cleaned carpets have a softer finish, brighter colours and generally look and smell fresher. The results that cleaning teams are able to achieve is genuinely impressive and people are often left surprised at just how much better their carpets look after a deep clean.

3. Longer lasting carpets

Getting your carpets regularly cleaned won't just make them look, feel and smell better. It'll also ensure that they last longer. The longer that you leave stains and other nasties in your carpets, the harder they'll be to remove. Meaning that you might be left with no option but for the costly job of replacing carpets entirely. 

Which methods are used for professional carpet cleaning?

Hot water extraction is the most common method of deep carpet cleaning. This method involves pre-treating carpets, and then using a machine to inject hot water and cleaning products deep into the fibres. The hot water is then extracted using a high-suction specialist vacuum. Allergens, stains and dust are removed with the hot water, leaving the carpets softer, fresher and cleaner. Once extraction is complete a follow up protectant is then applied.

Hot water extraction is the most effective carpet cleaning method for removing stains. Once the process is complete, carpets will need to be left to dry thoroughly for a few hours to dry thoroughly.

You'll sometimes see Hot water extraction referred to as Carpet steam cleaning, as steam is sometimes visible during the extraction process. This term isn't completely accurate though, as it's not the steam, but rather the extraction process that cleans the carpet fibres. This is different to - say - a steam cleaning mop, which is using the steam itself to clean windows, floors etc.

While it can be used on most carpets, hot water extraction is not suitable for every single carpet. Some more delicate carpets  - made from moisture-sensitive fabrics - can incur damage with this method. In these instances, a dry carpet cleaning method is used instead. This makes use of a powdered or solvent cleaning product in combination with a vacuum cleaner to remove ingrained dirt. This method is significantly less effective at removing deep stains. But one advantage is that carpets are dry immediately after cleaning.

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How do I know which carpet cleaning method is best for my carpets?

Hot water extraction is perfect If your carpets are made from:

• Polyester
• Wool
• Other synthetic fibres (e.g. acrylic)

Dry cleaning is recommended if your carpets are made from delicate materials like:

• Jute
• Seagrass
• Sisal

If you're not sure what your carpets are made from, let the cleaners know when you book them. They may be able to advise on the best cleaning method in advance, or may be able to bring equipment for either method so they can decide once they've arrived.

How often should I get my carpets cleaned?

You should get your carpets professionally cleaned every 12-18 months, according to both the NCCA (National Carpet Cleaners Association)^[1] and the CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute)^[2]

But shockingly, research published by United Carpets & Beds showed that  only 3% of the population get their carpets professionally cleaned once a year.^[3]

There are some circumstances where you should consider even more frequent professional carpet cleaning, such as if you have pets (particularly if they malt a lot), messy kids, or if anyone smokes inside the house. If you have allergies or asthma, you may also benefit from more regular professional cleans.


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Is it better value to hire a carpet cleaning machine than book a cleaning service?
 

Hiring a carpet cleaning machine - such as a RugDoctor  - is a popular choice. But in reality, it’s often not much cheaper than booking a professional carpet cleaning service - and a whole load more effort.

You can hire a Rug Doctor from your local B&Q for between £25-35 for up-to 48 hours. You’ll then also need to purchase cleaning products costing around £5-20, depending on how many rooms/ carpets need cleaning.

While this might be a little cheaper than booking a professional carpet cleaning service, you’ll need to spend your own time & money getting the machine to and from your local collection point. This is particularly difficult if you’re in London, and/or you don’t have access to a car. RugDoctor do offer drop-off & collection services at £20.00 if you’re not able to easily travel to a collection point.

But don’t forget - getting the machine is the easy part. You still need to actually clean your carpets, which takes fair amount of skill and time (0.5 - 1 hour per carpet). 
 

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Where can I find a carpet cleaning service?

You can find a carpet cleaning service with a simple search online, through Facebook or other social media, or through a recommendation from friends and family.

The National Carpet Cleaning Association also has a directory of approved carpet cleaning service providers. You can find that here: Find an NCCA carpet cleaner

If you’re looking to book professional carpet cleaning, you can get an instant price and book online through the Housekeep website, or by giving us a call. We’ll provide you with a price right away, and then match you with the best local cleaning team who can get the job done.
 

Written by Henry Paterson

With years of experience in the industry, Henry is one of Housekeep’s home services specialists. He’s delivered talks at industry events including the Ideal Home Show and regularly features as an industry expert for publications including the Sun, Mail Online, Martha Stewart and many more.