How Much Does Carpet Cleaning Cost in 2026?
The average cost of professional carpet cleaning is £25 to £50 per room for a standard clean, or around £4 to £6 per m². Carpet deep cleaning costs more at £40 to £70 per room. A full 3-bedroom house comes to £120 to £250. Here are all the carpet cleaning prices by room type and cleaning method.
£25–£50
Per room
£40–£70
Deep clean/room
£120–£250
3-bed house
£30–£50
Staircase
Prices updated April 2026 · Based on industry data and contractor submissions.
Carpet Cleaning Cost per Room
What does carpet cleaning cost? Prices for rooms, stairs, rugs, upholstery, and full property cleans.
Per room (standard clean)
Hot water extraction, average-sized room
£35
£25 – £50
Per room (deep clean)
Pre-spray, agitation, extraction, and deodorising
£55
£40 – £70
Staircase
Standard straight staircase with landing
£40
£30 – £50
Whole house (3-bed)
3 bedrooms, living room, stairs, and landing
£180
£120 – £250
Rug cleaning (per m²)
Drop-off or on-site treatment
£20
£10 – £30
Sofa cleaning
3-seater fabric sofa
£75
£50 – £100
Armchair cleaning
Single fabric armchair
£40
£30 – £50
End of tenancy (full property)
All carpets, professional certificate
£350
£200 – £500
Stain protection treatment
Scotchgard or similar per room, applied after cleaning
£8/room
£5 – £10/room
What Affects the Cost
Carpet cleaning prices vary depending on several factors. Here is what influences the final bill.
Number and size of rooms
Most cleaners price per room. Larger rooms (over 15m²) may count as two rooms or attract a surcharge. Always confirm what counts as a 'room' when getting a quote.
Carpet type
Standard synthetic carpets are the easiest and cheapest to clean. Wool carpets, delicate fabrics, and high-pile rugs need more careful handling and may cost more. Some fibres require dry cleaning rather than hot water extraction. Which? has tested and compared popular carpet cleaning methods if you want to understand the differences.
Level of soiling
A light refresh on a lightly used carpet costs less than a deep clean on a heavily soiled one. Pet stains, red wine, and ground-in dirt all require extra pre-treatment and time, which pushes the price up.
Cleaning method
Hot water extraction (steam cleaning) is the industry standard and is included in most quotes. Dry cleaning methods for delicate carpets cost more because they use specialist solvents and equipment.
Furniture moving
Most cleaners will work around large furniture but charge extra if they need to move heavy items like sofas and beds. Move smaller items yourself before the cleaner arrives to avoid extra charges.
Stain protection treatment
Scotchgard or similar stain protection adds £5 to £10 per room. It creates a barrier that makes spills easier to clean up and helps the carpet stay cleaner for longer between professional cleans.
Carpet Cleaning Costs by Region
Average price per room varies by region. These are standard clean prices for an average-sized room.
| Region | Avg per Room | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| London | £50 | +30% |
| South East | £42 | +9% |
| South West | £38 | -1% |
| East of England | £40 | +4% |
| Midlands | £38 | Average |
| Yorkshire | £32 | -16% |
| North West | £34 | -11% |
| North East | £30 | -21% |
| Scotland | £32 | -16% |
| Wales | £33 | -13% |
How to Get Your Carpet Cleaning for Less
Book the whole house, not individual rooms
Most carpet cleaners charge less per room when you book the whole house. A 3-bedroom house with stairs might cost £180, but booking rooms individually could come to £250 or more. Ask for a whole-house price and compare it to the per-room rate. Look for cleaners accredited by the NCCA (National Carpet Cleaners Association).
Bundle with a neighbour
Some carpet cleaners offer a discount if they can do two jobs on the same street. If your neighbour also needs their carpets done, book together and ask if there is a multi-job rate. The cleaner saves on travel time and you both save on the bill.
Skip the stain protection unless you need it
Stain protection (Scotchgard) adds £5 to £10 per room. It helps if you have young children or pets, but for a guest bedroom or dining room that rarely gets spills, it is an unnecessary extra. Save it for high-traffic areas and rooms where accidents are likely.
Book in quieter months
January to March is typically quieter for carpet cleaners. Some offer discounts during this period to fill their diary. Avoid booking just before Christmas or during the summer move season when demand and prices peak.
What to Expect: The Cleaning Process
- 1
Pre-inspection
The cleaner walks through the rooms, checks the carpet type and condition, identifies stains, and confirms the price. They will let you know if any stains are unlikely to come out. Move small furniture beforehand — most cleaners will work around large items but charge extra to move heavy furniture.
- 2
Pre-treatment and agitation
A cleaning solution is sprayed onto the carpet and worked in with a brush or machine. This loosens dirt and breaks down stains before the main extraction. High-traffic areas and visible stains get extra attention with a pre-spray treatment.
- 3
Hot water extraction
The cleaning machine injects hot water at high pressure into the carpet pile, then immediately vacuums it back out along with the dissolved dirt. The cleaner works in overlapping passes to ensure thorough coverage. This takes 15 to 20 minutes per room. Look for a cleaner who is a member of the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) for guaranteed standards.
- 4
Drying
The carpet is left slightly damp. Drying takes 4 to 8 hours depending on ventilation, heating, and humidity. Open windows, turn on the heating, or use fans to speed things up. Avoid walking on the carpet in shoes until it is fully dry to prevent resoiling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does carpet cleaning cost?
Professional carpet cleaning costs £25 to £50 per room for a standard clean, or £40 to £70 per room for a deep clean. A full 3-bedroom house costs £120 to £250. Stairs cost £30 to £50. These prices are for hot water extraction (steam cleaning), which is the most common professional method.
Is it worth getting carpets professionally cleaned?
Yes, if your carpets are more than 12 months old or visibly dirty. Professional cleaning removes deep-down dirt, allergens, and bacteria that vacuuming misses. It also restores the pile and colour, making carpets look years younger. A good clean every 12 to 18 months extends the life of your carpet, which is far cheaper than replacing it.
How much does end of tenancy carpet cleaning cost?
End of tenancy carpet cleaning costs £200 to £500 for a full property, depending on size. A 1-bedroom flat is typically £100 to £200, a 2-bed is £150 to £300, and a 3-bed house is £200 to £400. Many cleaners offer end of tenancy packages that include carpets and upholstery. Keep the receipt — your landlord will need proof the cleaning was done.
Should I hire a machine or use a professional?
Hiring a carpet cleaning machine from a supermarket costs £20 to £40 per day. It is fine for a light refresh, but professional machines are far more powerful — they use higher water pressure and stronger extraction, which means better results and faster drying. For heavily soiled carpets, stain removal, or end of tenancy, a professional is worth the extra cost.
How long does carpet cleaning take?
A professional can clean a standard room in 15 to 20 minutes. A full 3-bedroom house including stairs takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Drying time after hot water extraction is 4 to 8 hours — open windows and turn on the heating to speed it up. Dry cleaning methods leave carpets ready to walk on almost immediately.
Reviewed by Chris Ward, Less.co.uk Home Improvement Costs Specialist
Last updated: April 2026 · Pricing based on industry data and verified contractor submissions · Methodology
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