Carpet cleaning is priced in three different ways by three different companies, which is why quotes for the same house can range from £60 to £300. Once you understand which model you are being quoted under, the numbers stop being confusing.
Short answer: expect around £30–£60 per room in most of the UK and £40–£75 per room in London, with a minimum call-out charge of roughly £60–£100 that applies whether you book one room or five.
Carpet cleaning prices per room
| Area | UK typical | London typical |
|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom or box room | £25 – £40 | £35 – £50 |
| Double bedroom | £35 – £50 | £45 – £65 |
| Living room | £40 – £60 | £50 – £80 |
| Dining room | £35 – £55 | £45 – £75 |
| Hallway or landing | £20 – £35 | £30 – £45 |
| Staircase (single flight) | £25 – £45 | £35 – £60 |
The minimum charge is the single biggest source of surprise. Booking one small bedroom for £35 will usually still cost you the £75 call-out, because the cost of travelling, parking and setting up commercial extraction equipment does not change with the size of the job.
Whole property prices
| Property | UK typical | London typical |
|---|---|---|
| Studio flat | £60 – £90 | £75 – £120 |
| 1 bedroom flat | £75 – £120 | £95 – £150 |
| 2 bedroom flat | £100 – £160 | £130 – £210 |
| 3 bedroom house | £140 – £220 | £180 – £280 |
| 4 bedroom house | £190 – £280 | £230 – £360 |
Booking the whole property at once typically saves 10–15% against per-room rates, and only triggers the call-out charge once.
The three pricing models
Per room
The most common domestic model. Simple, but a “room” is not a unit of measurement. Always confirm what size a room is assumed to be, and whether a large through-lounge counts as one room or two.
Per square metre
Typically £2.50–£5 per m² domestically and around £3–£4 per m² for commercial premises. Fairer on large open-plan spaces and standard for offices, retail units and communal areas.
Hourly
Around £45–£60 per hour. Best suited to small or awkward jobs, spot treatments and stain work, but it makes the final bill unpredictable on a whole house.
What affects the price
- Room size and shape. Awkward layouts and heavy furniture add time.
- Carpet condition. Heavy soiling and traffic lanes need pre-spray and agitation before extraction.
- Carpet fibre. Wool, silk and natural fibres typically cost 15–25% more than synthetics because they need lower-moisture methods and pH-appropriate products.
- Stains. Pet accidents, wine, ink, curry and paint each need specific treatment and are usually quoted separately.
- Cleaning method. Hot water extraction generally costs more per room than dry or low-moisture methods, and cleans deeper.
- Access. Stairs, no lift, distance from parking and difficult loading all add labour.
- London-specific costs. Parking suspensions, permits, ULEZ and congestion charge are legitimate line items in the capital.
Cleaning methods explained
Hot water extraction (steam cleaning)
Hot solution is injected under pressure and immediately extracted with soil and residue. The deepest clean available and the method recommended by most carpet manufacturers. Drying takes roughly 4–8 hours with good airflow.
Dry or low-moisture cleaning
A compound or foam is worked into the pile and vacuumed away. Almost no drying time, which suits offices, tenanted flats on a tight turnaround and moisture-sensitive natural fibres. Less effective on deep soiling.
Encapsulation
A polymer crystallises around soil particles so they can be vacuumed out. Popular for commercial maintenance programmes where downtime is not an option.
Common add-ons and what they cost
| Add-on | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Stain protection (Scotchgard type) | £10 – £20 per room |
| Deodorising / anti-allergen treatment | £8 – £15 per room |
| Pet odour and urine treatment | £25 – £60 per affected area |
| Rug cleaning (medium) | £40 – £80 |
| 3-seater sofa | £45 – £90 |
| Armchair | £25 – £45 |
| Mattress (double) | £35 – £60 |
Some companies include stain protection as standard. Ask, because it is one of the easiest items to quietly add at the end.
Carpet cleaning for end of tenancy
If your tenancy required carpets to be professionally cleaned at the start, you will usually be expected to do the same at check-out, and a receipt is what protects you if it is disputed. This is why carpet cleaning is very commonly booked alongside a move-out clean rather than separately.
For rented flats, hot water extraction is normally the right choice, since it produces the visible, documented result an inventory clerk is looking for. Booking carpets and the end of tenancy clean together with one provider is generally cheaper than two separate call-outs, which is why most tenants use professional London carpet cleaners for both at the same time.
DIY machine hire vs professional cleaning
Hiring a domestic machine costs roughly £25–£35 a day plus £10–£20 for solution. It looks like a saving on a three-bed house against a £200 professional quote.
The practical difference is extraction power. Hire machines lay down more water than they recover, which leaves the carpet wet for a day or more, can wick old stains back to the surface as it dries, and risks shrinkage on wool or a hessian backing. Commercial units extract at far higher vacuum, so the carpet leaves damp rather than wet. For a light refresh, hire is fine. For soiled carpets, pet issues or a check-out inspection, it usually is not.
How often should carpets be cleaned?
- Average household: every 12–18 months
- Homes with pets or young children: every 6–12 months
- Allergy or asthma sufferers: every 6 months
- High-traffic offices and communal areas: quarterly maintenance with an annual deep clean
Most manufacturer warranties require documented professional cleaning at set intervals, so keeping the invoices matters if you ever need to claim.
Frequently asked questions
How long do carpets take to dry?
Typically 4–8 hours after hot water extraction, or 1–2 hours with a low-moisture method. Open windows and run the heating to speed it up.
Will every stain come out?
No. Cleaning removes soil and most staining, but some substances permanently change the dye in the fibre. A reputable technician will tell you honestly before starting rather than after.
Do I need to move the furniture?
Small items yes, heavy furniture is usually moved by the technician. Confirm at the quote stage, as some companies charge for it.
Why did a stain come back after cleaning?
That is wicking. Residue deep in the backing rises as the carpet dries. It is a sign of over-wetting and under-extraction, and is more common with hire machines than with commercial equipment.
The bottom line
Budget £30–£60 per room outside London and £40–£75 in the capital, plan around a minimum call-out of £60–£100, and book the whole property in one visit if you can. Ask what method will be used, what the drying time is and whether stain protection is included, and the quote you accept will be the amount you actually pay.
