| National average | $180 per visit |
| Typical range | $125 – $450 |
| Low end | $125 — a 2-room freshen-up in an apartment |
| High end | $450 — a whole 4-bedroom house with pet treatment and stairs |
How much does carpet cleaning cost?
Professional carpet cleaning costs $45-$75 per room or $0.25-$0.45 per square foot in most U.S. markets, with minimum call-out charges of about $125. A 3-room job typically lands between $150 and $250. Hot water extraction ("steam cleaning") is the standard method; low-moisture cleaning runs roughly 15% less but leaves more residue.
| Rooms | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $125 – $125 |
| 2 | $125 – $125 |
| 3 | $125 – $180 |
| 4 | $140 – $240 |
| 5 | $175 – $300 |
| 6 | $210 – $360 |
Hot water extraction, average soiling, minimum charge $125. Low-moisture methods run about 15% less; heavy soiling about 25% more.
| Square feet | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 500 | $125 – $225 |
| 1,000 | $250 – $450 |
| 1,500 | $375 – $675 |
| 2,000 | $500 – $900 |
| Home | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 2-bedroom apartment | $140 – $240 |
| 3-bedroom house | $210 – $360 |
| 4-bedroom house | $280 – $480 |
What changes the price
- Soil level. Heavy soiling adds roughly 25% - the cleaner has to pre-treat and make extra passes.
- Pet stains and odor. Enzyme treatment runs $15-$25 per room on top of the base price.
- Stairs and hallways. Stairs run $2-$4 per step; hallways $15-$25 each.
- Carpet protector. Optional $10-$20 per room, worth it on newer carpet.
- Furniture. Some companies charge extra to move furniture; most expect you to clear small items first.
Do renters need professional carpet cleaning at move-out?
Many leases require professional carpet cleaning at move-out and ask for the receipt - check yours before the final walk-through. If you are budgeting a move, the move-out cleaning calculator covers the rest of the home; carpet is usually priced separately from the move-out clean itself.
How we estimate these prices
Per-room and per-square-foot ranges are the starting parameters; the calculator multiplies them by your soil level, method and area wage factor (35% + 65% of the full city factor, since equipment and chemicals do not scale with wages). Room counts assume average bedrooms of roughly 150-200 sq ft. We checked HomeGuide's carpet cleaning prices and Fixr's carpet cleaning cost guide when setting these ranges.
Sources we checked when setting these ranges: Housecall Pro — House Cleaning Prices in 2026, HomeGuide — House Cleaning Prices, and Workiz — House Cleaning Cost Guide 2026.
Hourly wage data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, occupation 37-2012 (Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners). Our model multiplies estimated labor hours by a local hourly rate of $30–$75 depending on the market; see the calculator above for the full inputs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does carpet cleaning cost for a 3-bedroom house?
About $250-$450 for the whole home depending on room count and condition - most 3-bedroom homes have 6-8 carpeted rooms at $45-$75 each.
Is carpet cleaning charged per room or per square foot?
Both exist. Per-room pricing dominates for houses ($35-$60 per room); per-square-foot pricing ($0.25-$0.45) is common for open plans and commercial spaces.
How long does carpet cleaning take to dry?
Hot water extraction needs 6-12 hours with good airflow; low-moisture methods dry in 1-3 hours. Run fans or AC to speed it up.
Does carpet cleaning remove pet stains?
Professional enzyme treatment removes most fresh pet stains and odor. Old urine that has reached the padding may need pad replacement - a much bigger job.
Is professional carpet cleaning worth it vs. renting a machine?
Rental machines cost $40-$60 a day plus solution and your time, and they leave more residue that re-soils faster. For 3+ rooms, professionals usually win on result per dollar.
How often should carpets be professionally cleaned?
Once every 12-18 months for most homes; every 6 months with pets or young kids. Regular cleaning extends carpet life enough to pay for itself.