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Charge $25–$55 per room or $0.20–$0.40 per square foot for carpet steam cleaning in 2026 (national average: $35/room or $0.30/sqft). A whole-house carpet clean of 3 bedrooms + living room runs $150–$310 on average. Always price by square footage for accuracy — per-room pricing is only appropriate for uniform layouts with a clear room definition.

Pricing by Home Size

1 Room$25–$55avg $38
2 Rooms$55–$110avg $78
3 Rooms$95–$165avg $125
4 Rooms + Hall$140–$245avg $185
Whole House 5+ Rooms$195–$340avg $255

The Carpet Cleaning Pricing Formula

  1. Measure total carpeted square footage: Measure length × width for each carpeted room. Exclude hardwood, tile, and non-carpeted areas. Your quote should be per cleanable carpet sqft.
  2. Multiply by your per-sqft rate: Standard steam cleaning: $0.25–$0.35/sqft. High-traffic or heavily soiled: $0.35–$0.45/sqft. Delicate fibers: $0.40–$0.55/sqft.
  3. Add stain treatment and deodorizer as line items: Never bundle stain treatment into your base rate — these are specialty services with premium pricing. Present them as add-ons.
  4. Apply a minimum job charge: Set a minimum job charge of $95–$125. Small single-room jobs at per-sqft rates often don't cover your travel and setup time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does professional carpet cleaning cost?
Carpet cleaning costs $25–$55 per room or $0.20–$0.40 per square foot nationally. A whole-house carpet clean of 4 rooms averages $150–$310. Stain treatment, pet odor treatment, and deodorizing are add-ons priced separately.
Is it better to charge per room or per square foot for carpet cleaning?
Square footage pricing is more accurate and protects against disputes about what counts as a 'room.' Per-room pricing is faster to quote but requires a clear written definition of what constitutes a room.
How much should carpet cleaning cost for a 3-bedroom house?
Carpet cleaning for a typical 3-bedroom home (600–900 sq ft of carpet) costs $95–$165 for the rooms only. Adding hallways, stairs, and a living room brings most 3BR whole-house carpet cleans to $150–$250 before add-ons.
How long does carpet steam cleaning take?
Carpet steam cleaning takes 30–60 minutes per room for standard cleaning, or 1.5–5 hours for whole-house cleaning depending on size and condition. Drying time is 4–8 hours — clients should plan for minimal foot traffic during this window.
Should I offer carpet cleaning as a cleaning business?
Yes — if you can invest in a quality portable or truckmount extractor, carpet cleaning is an extremely profitable add-on service. It commands premium per-hour rates, has strong add-on sales potential, and your existing residential clients are a built-in customer base.