How Much Does Carpet Cleaning Cost?
Factors Affecting the Cost of Carpet Cleaning
Do your carpets look a bit dull and dirty? Are mysterious stains appearing more often? It might be time for a fresh clean to restore their original color and get rid of funky odors. But how much does professional carpet cleaning cost?
Expect to pay around AU$30 to AU$50 per square metre for professionally cleaned carpets in Australia. The average room costs AU$200.
Homeowners often don’t know what to expect cost-wise when hiring carpet cleaners. Pricing can make people nervous. After researching and gathering data from years of professional carpet cleaning experiences, we can shed light on average charges, factors that impact costs, and differences between major cities. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know before hiring a professional cleaner!
Why Regular Carpet Cleaning Matters
Before jumping to the nitty gritty costing details, it helps to know why professional cleaning is so valuable:
- It removes dust, dander, and allergens that get trapped deep in fibers. This improves indoor air quality and really helps allergy sufferers breathe easier!
- Tidy carpets just look nicer. That dingy grey tint will be restored back to the original colorful hue.
- Thorough cleaning extends the lifespan of your carpet by keeping fibers in good shape.
- Removes greasy residues that make carpets slippery. Also kills dust mites, fleas and other nasty bugs. Yuck!
When you add up the health, appearance, and longevity benefits, professionally cleaned floor coverings are worth the investment every year or two.
Ok, let’s dive into average pricing!
Average Cost for Professional Carpet Cleaning Service
Based on national averages, typical price ranges are:
| Service | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Per standard room | $30 – $50 |
| Per square meter | $0.15 – $0.30 |
| 3 bedroom home | $120 – $180 |
| 5 bedroom home | $250 – $350 |
| Hallway | $25 – $50 |
| Stairs | $40 – $60 |
But costs can vary based on your specific home size, type of carpet, and how dirty it is. More details coming up!
First, let’s look at average prices in major cities:
Sydney
| Service | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Standard room | $40 – $60 |
| Square meter | $0.20 – $0.40 |
| 3 bedrooms | $150 – $220 |
| 5 bedrooms | $300 – $400 |
As you can see, Sydney leans towards the pricier end of the scope.
Melbourne
| Service | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Standard room | $35 – $55 |
| Square meter | $0.15 – $0.35 |
| 3 bedrooms | $130 – $200 |
| 5 bedrooms | $260 – $380 |
Melbourne has similar costing to the national averages.
Brisbane
| Service | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Standard room | $30 – $50 |
| Square meter | $0.10 – $0.25 |
| 3 bedrooms | $110 – $170 |
| 5 bedrooms | $240 – $330 |
Brisbane falls on the more affordable end of the pricing spectrum.
Perth
| Service | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Standard room | $25 – $45 |
| Square meter | $0.10 – $0.20 |
| 3 bedrooms | $100 – $150 |
| 5 bedrooms | $220 – $300 |
Perth is also one of the more budget-friendly major cities for carpet cleaning.
What Impacts the Price?
What makes prices fluctuate higher or lower than these averages? Here are the key factors:
Size of Your Home
- More rooms and larger square meterage means higher bills.
- Hallways and steps add extra costs due to the labor involved.
- Expect to pay $20 – $50 for a standard hallway.
- Stairways run $30 – $80 depending on how elaborate your staircase is.
Carpet Fibres
- Wool is more delicate and takes longer to clean and dry. This ups the price.
- Nylon and olefin clean faster and cheaper.
- Old school 1970s-style shag? Sorry, that will also cost more due to the thick pile.
Condition of Carpets
- Heavily soiled high traffic areas take longer. We’re talking years of grime ground deep into fibers.
- Newer carpets in lightly used rooms are quicker and cheaper.
- Pet messes, food spills, and other set-in stains raise costs. They require extra cleaning agents and repeated scrubbing.
Cleaning Techniques
- Steam carpet cleaning is priciest but gets carpet the cleanest.
- Dry cleaning costs less but don’t deep clean as thoroughly.
- Bonnet cleaning only scrubs the surface. Cheap but not very effective.
Ok, now you know what raises or lowers the costs. Next, let’s look at the methods pros use and how they differ.
Types Of Carpet Cleaning Methods
Truck Mounted Steam Cleaning
This is the gold standard top-of-the-line method. Also known as hot water extraction. A powerful steam generator is mounted in a big truck or van.
How it works:
- Hot water & cleaning solutions are blasted into carpets under high pressure.
- Dirt and residues are broken down and lifted to the surface.
- Immediately afterwards, powerful suction removes the grime so it’s not left behind.
Cost: Approximately $0.25 – $0.40 per square meter.
Benefits: Hot water and strong suction get carpets amazingly clean.
Drawbacks: Pricier than other methods. Longer drying time.
Dry Carpet Cleaning
This uses way less water applied to special compounds or absorbent materials.
Cost: Around $0.15 – $0.30 per square meter.
Benefits: Surface dries fast. No soaked carpets to deal with.
Drawbacks: Does not deep rinse carpets thoroughly.
There are a few variations of dry cleaning:
- Absorbent granules – Sprinkled on and scrubbed in then vacuumed up.
- Bonnet cleaning – Cotton pads scrub carpets.
- Encapsulation – Detergents are worked into carpets then vacuumed up.
Shampooing
A foaming shampoo is worked into carpets then vacuumed up along with dirt.
Cost: Approximately $0.05 – $0.15 per square meter.
Benefits: Cheap and no special equipment needed.
Drawbacks: Does not thoroughly wash carpets. Long drying time.
Rug Cleaning
For expensive hand woven rugs, a gentler specialised method is used.
Cost: Around $2.79 per square foot
Benefits: Safely cleans delicate and expensive rugs.
Drawbacks: Very time consuming and higher cost.
Upholstery Cleaning
Sofas, chairs and other upholstered furniture are cleaned using steam, dry foam or chemical solvents.
Cost: Around $50 for an armchair up to $200 for a large couch.
Benefits: Removes odors, dirt, and difficult stains from fabric protection.
Drawbacks: Potential for water marks or carpet fabric shrinkage. Long dry times.
Commercial Carpet Cleaning Fee
It costs more than residential due to the larger areas and high foot traffic in workplaces, retail spaces, etc.
Expect to pay around $0.20 – $0.40 per square metre for a professional commercial carpet cleaning service using truck mounted steam or dry cleaning methods.
The total cost will depend on the square footage:
- Small offices under 1000 sq ft – $300 – $600
- Medium sized businesses up to 3000 sq ft – $600 – $1200
- Large open workspaces over 5000 sq ft – $1000 – $2000
- Retail stores up to 10,000 sq ft – $2000 – $4000
- Multi-story buildings – $3000+
Extra services like stain protection, disinfecting, and deodorizing will also add to the costs.
Tip: Schedule professional cleaning during off-peak seasons to get better rates. Bundle carpet cleaning with hard floor services for discount on total fees.
DIY Carpet Cleaning – What Are Your Options?
Looking to save some money by cleaning carpets yourself? Here are the most common DIY methods and approximate costs:
- Rental cleaners – Found at local hardware stores for $30 – $50 daily rental fee.
- Purchased steam cleaners – Home carpet cleaner machines is ranging from $150 – $800 to buy. Good for occasional cleaning.
- Shampooers – Manual or electric models available for $30 – $100.
- Cleaning chemicals – Pre-treatment sprays, spot removers, and cleaning concentrates run $10 – $30 per bottle.
- Scrub brushes – Help work solvent into heavily soiled areas. $10 – $20 each.
- Bristle brush attachments – Slip onto a broom for manual scrubbing. $15 – $25 each.
DIY cleaning means putting in more physical effort but costs less up front. The biggest downside is lacking the powerful suction of professional equipment to fully deep clean carpets down to the base.
Professional vs. DIY: Which Gets Better Results?
DIY methods can freshen up carpets between expert cleanings and tackle spot marks as they occur. It’s a good maintenance option.
But for truly intensive cleaning carpets wall to wall, pros get way better results. Here’s why:
Pro Cleaning Pros:
- Truck mounted units offer stronger cleaning compounds, high heat, and suction power.
- Technicians have years of experience performing hundreds of carpet cleanings. They know how to tackle tough stains.
- Fast drying times get your home back to normal quicker.
- Disinfecting and deodorising services sanitise carpets.
DIY Pros:
- Lower upfront costs compared to hiring a company.
- Clean on your own schedule, any day or time.
- Cheaper for spot cleaning high traffic areas only.
- Handy for handling spills and stains between pro cleanings.
If carpets are filthy or have years of built up grime, call the pros! DIY works ok for maintenance between deep cleanings.
How to Choose a Quality Carpet Cleaner
When hiring professional carpet cleaners, look for these signs of a good company:
- Strong online reviews on multiple sites like Google and Yelp. This indicates consistently good service.
- IICRC certification for technicians. This ensures proper training.
- Use truck mounted units, not portable cleaners. More power!
- Offer fair upfront pricing and free quotes. Avoid vague pricing.
- Provide a money back guaranteee if any spots are missed.
- Have specialised products to tackle pet stains, food spills and other stubborn soils.
- Respond promptly to inquiries and questions by phone or email.
- Friendly, polite employees who take care with your home and furniture.
- Specialise in carpet cleaning over general services like maid services. They’ll be more knowledgeable.
Vet companies thoroughly and don’t just choose the cheapest option. A little extra for a quality cleaner is worth it!
FAQs – Your Top Carpet Cleaning Questions Answered
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about professional carpet cleaning:
How Often Should You Get Carpets Cleaned?
- Every 12-18 months for low traffic areas.
- Every 6-12 months for high traffic zones like entryways and halls.
What’s the Best Time of Year for Cleaning?
Schedule when you can allow 6-12 hours of drying time with windows open. The ideal times are spring and summer when it’s not too humid.
Should You Vacuum Before the Cleaners Arrive?
Yes, absolutely! Thoroughly vacuuming first allows their equipment to remove more grime from carpet fibers.
Can Cleaning Remove Old or Severe Stains?
Not guaranteed. But companies that specialise in stain removal have a better shot with the right products and repeated cleaning.
How Long Does Carpet Stay Wet For?
4-6 hours is typical but up to 12 hours for thick carpet. Ask your technician about approximate drying times.
Are Pet Stains Harder to Remove?
Yes, urine and other organic stains require enzyme cleaners and specialty treatment. Cleaning pros have the right products and suction power.
The Bottom Line
While carpet cleaning rates can vary based on your specific home, expect to invest an average of $30 – $50 per standard room for professional service.
Focus first on heavy traffic areas like hallways and entries which get dirtiest. Bedrooms often stay cleaner longer.
Doing diligent research to find a top rated cleaner in your area ensures a good experience. Look at reviews, certifications, equipment and guarantees before choosing.
Breathe easier and enjoy renewed soft carpets after a fresh pro cleaning.
