Whether you've recently moved in, are on the verge of moving out, or just feel the house could do with freshening up, a professional carpet clean can make all the difference.

Read on for a full breakdown of carpet cleaning rates in 2026, for both residential and commercial projects.

The easier way to book quality trades

Download app

How much does carpet cleaning cost in 2026?

Here's what you can expect to pay, on average, for professional carpet cleaning:

• At least £50 for a small to medium-sized room (4m x 4m)

• Around £85 for your stairs and landing

However, it's worth noting that costs vary depending on your location. That's up next.

Carpet cleaning rates in the UK

The average carpet cleaning cost will vary slightly depending on your location. For example:

• Carpet cleaning services in Hull are on average £40

• Carpet cleaning services in Dartford are roughly £240

• Carpet cleaning services in London are approximately £230

Commercial carpet cleaning prices

The need for a quick turnaround to allow for immediate use of the premises can often mean the price for commercial carpet cleaning is higher than for residential.

• The average rate for commercial carpet cleaning: £4 per sq ft

• Typical carpet cleaning cost for a 150 - 175 sq ft office: £320

Professional clean vs a soft wash

Have you seen carpet cleaning costs quoted cheaper elsewhere than the estimates above?

There's the important thing to know. The above costs are for a thorough, professional clean, not for a soft carpet wash.

Checkatrade member, Viesturs at Chichester Carpet Cleaning, explains the difference – so you don't get stung with a high-cost but low-quality clean:

"A ‘quick wash’ is like a steam clean. There’s no prep work, and it doesn't get as good results. The standard process of carpet cleaning must include thorough preparation work".

Carpet cleaning by Chichester Carpet Cleaning

How to find out if a carpet cleaner offers a quick carpet wash?

Over to Viesturs at Chichester Carpet Cleaning:

"Prices don’t always reflect the quality of the work. By understanding the process of a good, thorough carpet clean with the best products and equipment, you will be in a better place to understand whether you're paying for a soft wash clean or if you're going to get a professional carpet clean".

What is the process of a thorough carpet cleaning process?

Hire a top carpet cleaner like Viesturs, and you can expect a professional to:

1. Vacuum the carpet to remove dry soil

2. Use a chemical pre-spray and allow it to soak into the carpet to loosen any dried-on soil

3. Carry out mechanical agitation to lift the pile up and remove any dirt from the carpet

4. Only then do you steam clean the carpet and use the hot water extraction machine

The above is the cleaning standard set by carpet manufacturers. Anything less than this and it's not a quality job.

Find reputable carpet cleaning companies near you

Ready to get your carpet looking its best again? View carpet cleaning company profiles, read customer reviews, and request quotes using our free mobile app below.

Carpet cleaning cost calculator

Not quite ready to contact a tradesperson and would prefer a rough estimate instead? Why not use our free cost calculator below?

Job Estimate Calculator

Get Started

Step 0/3

On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.

Complete carpet cleaning method comparison

Now we know the difference between a professional clean and a soft wash, let's look at the different carpet cleaning services offered.

Here's the most popular types of professional carpet cleaning methods:

1. Steam cleaning (hot water extraction)

Also known as hot water extraction cleaning, steam cleaning uses high-pressure hot water to loosen dirt, allergens, and bacteria trapped deep within carpet fibres before extracting them.

• Cost: Expect to pay at least £50 for a small to medium-sized room

• Best for: Deep soiling, allergy sufferers, pet odours, and stain removal

• Drying time: Typically 2–6 hours

• Effectiveness: High

• Things to know: Professional carpet cleaners will pre-treat stains beforehand for a deeper clean

2. Dry carpet cleaning

Dry carpet cleaning uses a biodegradable cleaning compound or powder worked into the carpet with specialist equipment. The compound absorbs dirt before being vacuumed away.

• Cost: Chem-dry carpet cleaning prices typically start around £50 for a 5ft x 5ft room

• Best for: Delicate carpets and quick turnaround cleaning

• Drying time: Around 30–60 minutes

• Effectiveness: Moderate to high

• Things to know: Commonly used in offices and commercial spaces because it requires very little drying time

Other carpet cleaning methods

• Bonnet cleaning – Surface-cleaning method using a rotation pad commonly used in commercial buildings. Quick drying but less effective for deep cleaning

• Encapsulation cleaning – Low-moisture cleaning method with fast drying times, ideal for regular carpet maintenance

• Carpet shampooing – Traditional cleaning method suited to heavily soiled carpets, though drying times can be longer

The best carpet cleaning method for your home will boil down to the type of carpet and the level of dirt and stains.

Contact a professional carpet cleaner, and they can advise on what's best.

Factors affecting the cost of carpet cleaning

While straightforward carpet cleaning jobs come at a standard cost, the following items will see additional fees factored into the quote:

• Type of carpet – Many carpet cleaners will charge extra fees for carpet that is 100% wool due to the specialist care and products required

• Stubborn stains – Tough stains like red wine, paint, or grease need more work to remove

• Call-out charges – Expect a minimum charge of around £85 per visit plus labour

• Cancellation fees – If less than 24 hours' notice is given

• Location – Trades rates vary up and down the country

Hidden costs to consider

When hiring professional carpet cleaners, be aware that there are several additional services that would be charged as extra, if required. These include:

• ScotchGard protection treatments – Expect to pay around £15 per room for stain protection

• Anti-insect treatments – Anti-insect treatment to guard against microscopic insects, such as dust mites, costs between £7 and £13 per room

• Furniture removal – Moving furniture before carpet cleaning may incur an extra charge, especially for heavy or bulky items

• Weekend or urgent bookings – Carpet cleaning appointments outside normal working hours often cost more

• Travel or call-out fees – Some carpet cleaners charge extra for travel, so always check what’s included in your quote

• Quick drying services – Faster drying treatments or specialist equipment may be available for an additional fe

• Pre-treatment – Applied to problem areas to loosen the dirt or grease within the carpet

Start your search for local carpet cleaners today

View company profiles, read customer reviews, and make contact directly via the Checkatrade app or with a simple postcode search below.

Reasons to hire a professional carpet cleaning service

Professional carpet cleaning tackles deep dirt, stains, allergens, and odours that won't budge with DIY methods.

Some of the most common carpet cleaning scenarios include:

• Pet stains and odours – Enzyme treatments and deep cleaning of carpets and underlay, so pets don't return to the same spot

• High-traffic family homes – Refresh heavily used carpets affected by muddy shoes, food spills, and everyday wear

• End of tenancy carpet cleaning – Revives carpets ahead of new tenants

• Emergency stain removal – Specialist spot treatments to tackle tricky red wine and coffee before they become permanent

• Allergy and asthma management – Reduces dust mites, pollen, pet hair, and trapped allergens

• Commercial carpet cleaning – Keeping carpets hygienic and presentable

• Moving into a new home – Removes hidden dirt and odours left behind by previous homeowners

• Refreshing tired-looking carpets – You'll be amazed how much cleaner and brighter older carpets look after a professional deep clean

Cost of hiring a carpet cleaning company vs DIY

Thinking about hiring equipment to tackle the job yourself?

Here's the pros and cons of DIY carpet cleaning vs a professional carpet cleaning company.

Carpet cleaning cost checklist

• Check what method is right for your carpets – Delicate natural fibres like wool may require gentler cleaning methods

• Consider levels of staining and dirt – Heavily soiled carpets often benefit from steam cleaning

• Don’t forget to ask about drying times – Dry cleaning is best if you need a fast turnaround

• Don’t settle for the cheapest – Soft cleaning methods may be cheaper, but they will be less effective

• Shop around – We always recommend getting at least three quotes

Find a carpet cleaning company near me

Ready to revive your carpets with the help of professional carpet cleaning services?

Why use Checkatrade to find carpet cleaning services near you?

• Checked - Every Checkatrade member must pass up to 12 checks and commit to upholding the Checkatrade Standard

• Reviewed - Over 6.2 million reviews have been published on Checkatrade on everything from communication, tidiness, timekeeping, and quality of work

• Guaranteed - Jobs booked through Checkatrade are covered up to £1,000 (T&Cs apply)

Every Checkatrade job is backed by our £1,000 guarantee

Up to £1000. Eligibility criteria and T&C’s apply.

Need more help maintaining your home? At Checkatrade, we’ve got you covered. From carpet cleaning to handyperson repairs, browse our blog for guides, tips and inspiration.

FAQs

How much does carpet cleaning cost (UK)?

Professional carpet cleaning in the UK starts from around £50 for a small room. However, the total cost will vary depending on the size of the room, the type and condition of the carpet and if any extra treatments are needed.

What are the benefits of professional carpet cleaning?

As well as eliminating these pesky surface stains, a deep carpet clean will tackle the dust and dirt that's become ingrained in the fibres to leave your room bright, fresh, and hygienic.

How long does carpet cleaning take?

There's no 'average' time to clean carpets, but you could assume it'll require at least one hour per room to clean the carpet properly.

How much does carpet cleaning cost after a dog accident in the living room?

Pet accident carpet cleaning costs depend on the size of the affected area and whether odour removal treatments are needed. As a minimum, you can expect to pay around £85.

What’s the best carpet cleaning method for a rental property between tenants?

Steam cleaning (hot water extraction) is often the best option for end-of-tenancy carpet cleaning, as it helps remove stains, dirt, and odours quickly and effectively.

Steam cleaning vs dry cleaning for carpets: which is better?

Steam cleaning is best for deep cleaning and stain removal, while dry carpet cleaning is better for delicate carpets and faster drying times.

What affects carpet cleaning costs in UK homes?

Carpet cleaning costs vary depending on the room size, carpet condition, cleaning method, and whether specialist stain or odour treatments are required.

What does professional carpet cleaning involve for heavily stained carpets?

Professional carpet cleaning for heavily stained carpets may include pre-treatment, deep extraction cleaning, stain removal, and deodorising treatments.

How often should I get my carpets cleaned?

Checkatrade member, Viesturs Silnieks of Chichester Carpet Cleaning said, "You should clean your carpets at least once a year to avoid a build-up of bacteria and to prolong the life of your carpet. It's also what carpet manufacturers recommend."

If you have children or pets who regularly bring dirt into the house, you might find it needs more frequent touch-ups.

How do I choose the right carpet cleaning method?

The best carpet cleaning method will depend on your carpet type, level of staining, drying time needs, and budget.

Checkatrade

Follow us

More Carpet Cleaning Articles

End of tenancy cleaning prices: Cost breakdown 2026

How much does a professional oven clean cost in 2026?

How much does gutter cleaning cost in the UK? 2026 prices

View all