Carpet cleaning prices vary a lot between companies and between homes, which is why most cleaners won't give a fixed figure until they know a bit about the job. That's not evasiveness; two "lounges" can easily be very different amounts of work.
What affects the price of carpet cleaning
Size and number of rooms
Most cleaners price per room, with standard sizes assumed, or by area for large or open-plan spaces. A huge through-lounge may count as two rooms. Hallways, landings and small rooms are often priced lower.
Stairs
Stairs take much longer than their floor area suggests, because each tread and riser is cleaned by hand with a smaller tool. They're nearly always priced separately, either per flight or per step.
Condition of the carpet
A carpet that's been cleaned regularly needs less pre-treatment and fewer passes than one that hasn't been touched in years. Heavily soiled traffic lanes, greasy kitchen-side areas and previous DIY shampoo residue all add time.
Stains and odours
Ordinary spot treatment is usually included. Specialist work, such as treating extensive pet urine, removing old dye stains or dealing with smoke odour, often costs extra because it takes more time and product. See stain and odour removal.
Fibre type
Wool, natural fibres and delicate rugs need more care and sometimes different products or methods. Synthetic carpets are generally the quickest to clean.
Furniture
Moving light furniture is usually included. Moving heavy furniture may not be, and some cleaners prefer to clean around it. Clearing small items before the cleaner arrives saves time and money.
Extras
- Rugs (see rug cleaning)
- Sofas, chairs and other upholstery
- Carpet protector treatment
- Deodorising treatments
How to get an accurate quote
The more you tell the cleaner, the more accurate the price will be. Include this in your enquiry:
- The number of rooms and roughly how big they are
- Stairs and landings, and how many flights
- The type of carpet, if you know it
- Any stains, pet accidents or smells, and what's been tried already
- Rugs or furniture to add on
- Access and parking, especially for flats
Ask what's included: pre-vacuuming, pre-treatment, stain removal, rinsing and furniture moving. A clear written quote protects both sides.
Is professional carpet cleaning worth the money?
Compared with replacing a carpet, almost always. Fitting new carpet in even a single room costs far more than having it cleaned, and many carpets that look worn out are simply dirty. Regular cleaning also removes the abrasive grit that wears the fibres down, so the carpet lasts longer.
Hiring a machine can work for a light refresh, but domestic and hire machines tend to leave more water and detergent behind, which can make carpets resoil faster. If you want a proper deep clean, a professional is usually better value in the long run.
When you're ready, see professional carpet cleaning in Kent or find your local area.