How much does carpet cleaning cost?
Updated 1 Nov 2026
Typical cost per room
£30 – £60
Professional carpet cleaning in the UK typically costs £30–£60 per room, with a whole three-bed house usually coming to £150–£300. Most cleaners have a minimum charge of around £60–£90, so a single small room often costs more than the per-room rate suggests. Stairs, stain and pet odour treatments, rugs and upholstery are priced separately.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Small room or bedroom | £25 – £45 |
| Living room or large bedroom | £40 – £70 |
| Stairs (full flight) | £30 – £60 |
| Hall, stairs and landing | £50 – £90 |
| Whole 3-bed house | £150 – £300 |
| Minimum call-out charge | £60 – £90 |
| Rug (depending on size and fibre) | £25 – £80 |
| Stain or pet odour treatment | £10 – £40 per area |
| Two-seater sofa (upholstery) | £50 – £90 |
| Three-seater or corner sofa | £70 – £140 |
| Protector / stain guard | £10 – £25 per room |
Typical UK guide prices — see the note at the foot of this page.
Cleaning prices by region
Labour rates vary across the UK, so the same cleaning job usually costs more in London and the South East than in the South West, Wales or the North. Here is roughly how the typical range shifts by region (per room).
| Region | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| London | £40 – £80 |
| South East | £35 – £65 |
| East of England | £30 – £65 |
| South West | £30 – £60 |
| Midlands | £30 – £55 |
| Scotland | £30 – £55 |
| North of England | £30 – £55 |
| Wales | £25 – £55 |
| Northern Ireland | £25 – £50 |
Estimates based on regional labour rates, not quotes — your price depends on the job itself.
Carpet cleaning prices per room
Carpet cleaners mostly price by the room, with a rough allowance for size. A small bedroom or box room is usually £25–£45. A standard living room or large main bedroom is £40–£70. A big open-plan lounge-diner can be £70–£100 on its own.
Stairs are priced as a separate item because each step has to be done by hand with a smaller tool. A full straight flight is typically £30–£60, and a hall, stairs and landing package usually runs £50–£90.
Most cleaners also have a minimum charge, usually £60–£90, to cover travel and setting up the machine. That is why one bedroom on its own can cost close to what two would. If you only have one room that needs doing, it is often worth adding the stairs or a sofa to make the visit worthwhile.
Hot water extraction or dry cleaning?
Hot water extraction, often called steam cleaning, is the most common method. The carpet is pre-treated with a cleaning solution, then hot water is sprayed into the pile and immediately sucked back out along with the dirt. It gives the deepest clean and is what most carpet manufacturers recommend.
The drawback is drying time. A carpet cleaned this way is usually damp for 2–6 hours, and in a cold room or in winter it can take up to 12. Good ventilation, heating on and a fan help a lot.
Low-moisture or dry cleaning uses a small amount of solution or a compound worked into the pile with a rotary machine, then vacuumed out. It dries in around an hour, which suits offices, rental changeovers and delicate natural fibres such as wool or sisal that do not like getting wet.
Prices for the two methods are broadly similar. Ask which method the cleaner uses and whether it suits your carpet, particularly if it is wool, a natural fibre or has a jute backing.
What affects the price?
Room size and number of rooms come first. Measure roughly or count rooms before asking for quotes.
How dirty the carpets are. A light refresh is quicker than heavy traffic lanes, ground-in mud or years of wear, which may need extra pre-treatment.
Stains and pet problems. Red wine, coffee and ink spots are usually treated for a small extra charge each. Pet urine is harder, as it soaks into the underlay, and may need an enzyme treatment over a larger area. Be honest about pets when asking for a quote.
Furniture. Many cleaners move light furniture such as chairs and coffee tables, but expect you to clear smaller items. Moving heavy wardrobes or sofas may cost extra or not be offered at all.
Fibre type. Wool, viscose and natural fibres need more care and may cost a little more.
Access and parking. Truck-mounted machines need parking near the door; portable machines are more flexible but slightly slower.
Work out your own price
A quick estimate is easy once you have counted the rooms.
1. Count bedrooms and living areas and use the per-room prices above. 2. Add the stairs, or hall, stairs and landing, if they are carpeted. 3. Add £10–£40 for each stained area or pet treatment. 4. Check the total is above the cleaner's minimum charge.
Example: a three-bed semi with a living room, three bedrooms, and hall, stairs and landing. Living room £40–£70, three bedrooms at £25–£45 each (£75–£135), hall, stairs and landing £50–£90. That gives £165–£295. Add a pet odour treatment in one bedroom at £20–£40 and the total is roughly £185–£335.
On BidMyJob you can post the job with the number of rooms and a photo of any problem areas, and local cleaners bid, so you can compare real prices for your house.
End of tenancy carpet cleaning
Many tenancy agreements ask for carpets to be professionally cleaned when you move out, and some letting agents want to see a receipt. Check your agreement: in England, a landlord cannot simply require you to use a particular paid cleaning service under the Tenant Fees Act, but you are still expected to return the property in the condition it was let, allowing for fair wear and tear.
For a carpets-only end of tenancy clean, expect the same per-room prices as above, typically £100–£250 for a two or three-bed property. Ask for an invoice showing the date and the rooms cleaned.
Book it as late as you can, after furniture has been removed, and allow for drying time before the check-out inspection.
How to keep the cost down
Do several rooms in one visit so you are well over the minimum charge, and ask for a whole-house price rather than adding up rooms.
Vacuum thoroughly the day before. It does not replace the clean, but it saves the cleaner time and gives a better result.
Clear the rooms of small items, toys and breakables yourself.
Deal with spills straight away by blotting, not rubbing, so they do not need a specialist treatment later.
Book in spring or summer if you can. Carpets dry faster, and cleaners are usually busiest in the weeks before Christmas.
Frequently asked questions
How much does carpet cleaning cost per room?+
Usually £25–£45 for a small room and £40–£70 for a living room or large bedroom. Most cleaners have a minimum charge of about £60–£90.
How much to clean carpets in a 3 bed house?+
Typically £150–£300 for the living room, three bedrooms and hall, stairs and landing. Stain treatments and sofas are extra.
How much does it cost to clean stairs carpet?+
A full flight of stairs usually costs £30–£60. A hall, stairs and landing package is commonly £50–£90.
How long does carpet take to dry after cleaning?+
After hot water extraction, usually 2–6 hours, and up to 12 in a cold or poorly ventilated room. Low-moisture methods dry in about an hour.
Can carpet cleaning remove pet urine smell?+
Often, but not always. A cleaner can use an enzyme treatment for £10–£40 per area, but if urine has soaked deep into the underlay the smell may return and the underlay may need replacing.
How much does sofa cleaning cost?+
Around £50–£90 for a two-seater and £70–£140 for a three-seater or corner sofa, depending on the fabric. Leather is cleaned and conditioned differently and may cost more.
Is it worth getting carpets professionally cleaned?+
For heavily used or stained carpets, usually yes. Professional machines remove far more dirt and moisture than hired machines, so carpets dry faster and stay clean longer.
Related price guides
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