Carpet cleaning can give your space a new lease of life, eliminating stains and odours that regular cleaning might miss. Let’s explore the costs and rates associated with carpet cleaning in the UK, so you know what to expect from your carpet cleaning specialist.
How much does carpet cleaning cost?
The total cost of a carpet cleaning service will usually include any cleaning materials, as well as additional work like stain removal, deodorising and any minor furniture moving involved.
However, it’s important to note that there may be extra charges for carpet cleaning services like deep cleaning for heavily soiled carpets, moving large or delicate furniture, and any additional protective carpet treatments.
| Carpet Cleaning Service Description | Average Cost |
| Room Type Cleaning | |
| Small room (up to 4m x 4m) | £50 |
| Medium room (up to 5m x 5m) | £60 |
| Large room (up to 6m x 6m) | £75 |
| Stairs and landing | £85 |
| Commercial/office carpet cleaning | £4 per square metre |
| Hourly Rates | |
| Minimum charge per visit | £85 |
| Standard carpet cleaning service | £60 – 120 per hour |
| Additional Carpet Cleaning Services | |
| Stain protector | £15 per room |
| Deep clean | +£20 on top of room cost |
| Deodorising treatment | £10 per room |
| Anti-allergen treatment | £15 per room |
Commercial carpet cleaning prices
For commercial carpet cleaning, prices are generally quite different to domestic cleaning jobs because of the size of the space and logistical challenges like moving furniture. Many of the same considerations still apply, such as the size of the area to clean, the carpet or rug material, and the level of soiling.
It’s common for commercial carpet cleaners to quote by the square metre, and you might expect to pay anywhere from £1.50 to £5 per sq m. You’ll also find prices can differ quite a bit between locations, so a commercial carpet cleaner near you might cost more if you’re based in London, for example.
For accurate pricing, get a few quotes from local skilled experts in your area and rest assured there’ll be no nasty surprises when it comes to paying the bill.
Factors affecting carpet cleaning costs
Carpet cleaning is just carpet cleaning, right? You’re not alone if you think that carpet cleaning should be an all-inclusive cost, but there are actually a few factors that can impact the final price of your carpet cleaning service.
The size of your carpet
The larger your carpet is, the more work your carpet cleaner will need. With this in mind, the size of your carpet tends to be the most significant factor when considering carpet cleaning service costs. Larger carpets require more time and product, resulting in a higher price.
Your location
Carpet cleaning costs may differ depending on where you live. If you live in a city like London, professional carpet cleaning services tend to cost a bit more due to the cost of living and increased demand.
Furniture removal
To get a worthwhile carpet clean, your carpet cleaner will need to move your furniture to access some parts of your carpet. If you have a few small items to move, then the overall service will cost considerably less than if your carpet specialist needs to move heavy, bulky furniture. This is due to the time and effort involved.
It’s worth noting that you may save some money if you can move these items out of the way yourself. Check with your chosen professional whether this service is included in their overall price or if doing it yourself could save you a few pennies.
Carpet condition
If your carpet is covered in stubborn stains, the cleaning process will be harder and take longer. Stains like red wine, ink, or pet accidents in different rooms may require specialist treatments, adding to the overall cost.
Carpet material
Carpet cleaning is never a one-size-fits-all approach. Wool carpets are more expensive to clean than synthetic ones because they’re more susceptible to damage and require more care. Be sure to highlight your carpet material to your chosen carpet cleaning specialist, so they know what needs to be done and which carpet treatments may be necessary for an extra cost.
Average carpet cleaning costs in UK cities
As we’ve mentioned, carpet cleaning costs can really vary depending on where you are in the UK. If you’re curious about what you might expect to pay for a professional carpet cleaning in your area, here’s a useful overview of average carpet cleaning costs in UK cities.
Please note that these estimates may differ depending on your carpet condition and whether you opt for any additional carpet cleaning services.
| UK City | Average Cost per Room |
| London | £40 – £55 |
| Manchester | £30 – £45 |
| Birmingham | £28 – £40 |
| Liverpool | £25 – £38 |
| Glasgow | £30 – £42 |
| Edinburgh | £35 – £50 |
| Bristol | £30 – £45 |
| Leeds | £28 – £40 |
| Cardiff | £28 – £42 |
| Newcastle | £25 – £38 |
| Sheffield | £25 – £37 |
| Nottingham | £25 – £37 |
| Leicester | £25 – £38 |
Professional carpet cleaning costs and times for flats and homes
If you have a carpet cleaning project in mind for your whole flat or home, here’s an idea of the average cleaning time and costs involved.
Remember that these are only estimates, and the overall cost can vary based on the condition of your carpet, the size of your carpet, any specific treatments needed, and your location.
| Property Type | Cleaning Time | Average Cost (£) |
| Single Room | 20 – 30 mins | £20 – £30 |
| Studio Flat | 45 – 60 mins | £40 – £60 |
| 1-Bedroom Flat | 1 – 1.5 hours | £50 – £70 |
| 2-Bedroom Flat | 1.5 – 2 hours | £70 – £90 |
| 3-Bedroom House | 2 – 3 hours | £90 – £120 |
| 4-Bedroom House | 3 – 4 hours | £120 – £150 |
| 5-Bedroom House | 4 – 5 hours | £150 – £200 |
How to save money on your carpet cleaning quote
It’s always a good idea to research the average price for carpet cleaning near you before deciding on a professional. Here are a few ways to cut the cost of your carpet cleaning quote.
Decide on a budget
Once you’ve got a better idea of carpet cleaning prices in your area, decide on a budget and stick to it as closely as possible. This will narrow down your options and reduce the risk of overspending.
Shop around for different quotes
Never go for the first quote you see! With Taskrabbit, you can compare the hourly rates of carpet cleaning Taskers in your local area. When you receive different quotes, you get a better idea of who will be the best choice for your needs.
Be transparent with your chosen carpet specialist
If you’ve decided on a carpet cleaning professional, make sure you tell them about your budget and the exact carpet cleaning tasks you need them to do. This will give them a clear idea of the project and avoid miscommunications about responsibilities and pricing.
It’s also always a good idea to have a written agreement of expectations and costs for peace of mind for both parties involved.
See if there’s anything you could do yourself
You may be able to cut the cost of your carpet cleaning service down by taking on a few tasks yourself. This could mean giving your carpet a thorough hoover or moving your furniture out of the affected rooms before the specialist arrives.
Make sure you discuss this with your chosen carpet cleaner before they arrive, as they may include some of these jobs within their rate.
Find a carpet cleaning specialist today
Ready to connect with a local carpet cleaner to help you freshen up your home?
Use Taskrabbit to find a local carpet cleaning professional and get help with deep carpet cleaning, carpet stain removal, and more.
Carpet cleaning service and cost FAQs
Is steam cleaning better than dry cleaning for carpets?
Steam cleaning is suitable for most carpet types and provides a deeper clean, effectively removing dirt, stains and allergens. However, dry cleaning is much quicker and may be sufficient for lightly soiled carpets. A local expert will let you know what they think is the best approach once you’ve provided them with a few details. They can then give you a price breakdown for both options.
Can I clean my carpets myself?
While DIY carpet cleaning is possible, it can be messy and hard work. Skilled carpet cleaners can get you much better results by using specialist equipment and techniques. It’s tricky to know which gear to hire and what products to buy, and it can often be a case of trial and error if you choose to take a DIY approach. This could even cost you more in the long run if you don’t do it right the first time!
By choosing an experienced provider near you to clean your carpets and rugs, you can skip the hassle of multiple attempts to remove the same tough stains, marks and odours.
How often should I have my carpets professionally cleaned?
Most carpets would benefit from a professional cleaning every 12 – 18 months. However, high-traffic areas like hallways or homes with pets and children may need a professional cleaning every 6 – 12 months.
