Price guide · Reviewed November 2026
How Much Does Carpet Cleaning Cost?
Carpet cleaners usually price per room, with a minimum charge per visit. Here is what published UK guides show for carpets, sofas and mattresses, and what moves the price.
Professional carpet cleaning is normally priced per room, per staircase or per square metre, and most cleaners set a minimum charge so that a single small room is still worth the call-out. Hot water extraction (often called steam cleaning) is the most common method for domestic carpets; low-moisture methods are also used, particularly in offices.
Upholstery is usually priced per item – a two- or three-seater sofa, an armchair, a mattress – and rugs by size and fibre type. Stain treatment, deodorising and protective treatments tend to be extras.
Carpet cleaning prices
Per room or per visit as shown. Room prices assume an average-sized room with light to moderate soiling.
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Carpet cleaning, small to average room | Around £25–£75 per room |
| Minimum charge per visit | Commonly £50–£100 per visit |
| Stairs and landing | Often priced like one room or per flight |
| Heavily soiled carpets or stain treatment | Often an extra charge per room |
Sofa, upholstery and mattress cleaning prices
Per item. London is often higher.
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Two-seater sofa | Around £40–£60 per sofa |
| Three-seater sofa | Around £50–£90 per sofa |
| Single mattress | Around £20–£40 per mattress |
| Double mattress | Around £35–£50 per mattress |
Indicative ranges based on published UK price guides reviewed in November 2026 (see sources). They are not official rates, a price list or our own prices. Many cleaners include VAT and supplies, others don't – always check written quotes for your own property.
Will carpet cleaning remove every stain?
Not always. Whether a stain comes out depends on what caused it, how long it has been there, the carpet fibre and anything previously used on it. A good carpet cleaner will test, explain what is realistic and avoid promising results they can't control. Some marks – bleach spots, burns or dye changes – are permanent damage rather than dirt.
What affects the cost
- Room size and number of rooms
- More floor area takes longer; several rooms in one visit is usually better value per room.
- Carpet condition
- Heavy soiling, pet accidents and old stains need pre-treatment and more passes.
- Fibre and construction
- Wool, natural fibres and delicate rugs may need specialist methods and products.
- Cleaning method
- Hot water extraction and low-moisture methods use different equipment and drying times.
- Furniture moving
- Some cleaners move light furniture; heavy items are often worked around.
- Access and parking
- Truck-mounted machines need parking close by; upper floors take longer with portable kit.
What a professional carpet clean usually involves
- A check of the fibre type and any stains before starting
- Vacuuming or pre-vacuuming to lift dry soil
- Pre-treatment of traffic lanes and marks
- Hot water extraction or a low-moisture clean
- Grooming the pile and advice on drying time
What can push the price up
- Large or multiple rooms with heavy soiling
- Pet odours and old stains
- Wool, silk or other delicate fibres
- Protective treatments or deodorising
What can bring it down
- Booking several rooms in one visit
- Clearing small furniture and items beforehand
- Regular vacuuming so carpets don't become heavily soiled
- Combining carpet and upholstery cleaning
Why two quotes can look so different
- Price per room versus per square metre
- Whether pre-vacuuming, stain treatment and deodorising are included
- Hot water extraction versus a low-moisture method
- How the cleaner handles furniture and minimum charges
Information to give when you ask for a quote
- Number and approximate size of rooms, plus stairs and landings
- Carpet fibre if known (wool, synthetic, blend)
- Any stains, pet issues or odours
- Sofas, chairs, rugs or mattresses to add
- Parking and floor level
Get a price for your own property
Published ranges are a starting point. The only way to know what your clean will cost is a quote based on your property, its condition and what you want included.
Get free carpet cleaning quotes
Common questions about prices
How long does carpet take to dry after cleaning?
It varies with the method, the carpet and ventilation. Hot water extraction usually leaves carpets damp for several hours; low-moisture methods dry faster. Your cleaner should give you an estimate and advice on ventilation.
How often should carpets be professionally cleaned?
There's no single rule. Many households have carpets cleaned every year or so, and more often in busy homes with children or pets. Regular vacuuming makes the biggest difference between professional cleans.
Is steam cleaning the same as hot water extraction?
In everyday use, yes. Most 'steam' carpet cleaning is hot water extraction: a cleaning solution is injected and extracted with the dirt.
Do I need carpet cleaning at the end of a tenancy?
Only if your agreement requires it or the carpets are dirtier than at check-in, allowing for fair wear and tear. Check your agreement and the check-in inventory.
Sources
Ranges on this page are summarised from the following published UK price guides, reviewed in November 2026. They describe typical market prices, not the prices of any particular company, and are not our own prices.
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