Dirty carpets can be unhealthy for the people living in the home, particularly those who have allergies, so it’s important to have them cleaned regularly; simply vacuuming once or twice a week isn’t enough. Carpet cleaning should be done by a professional carpet cleaning service at least once a year to remove grime and help extend the life of your carpet. Most carpet manufacturers recommend professional steam cleaning, which penetrates deep into the carpet fibers and lifts out both dirt and the pollutants that get tracked inside. Steam cleaning also removes most of the moisture, so carpets dry quickly enough for homeowners to resume using them the same day. Between professional carpet cleanings, your carpet may need an emergency spot cleaning. Pet accidents, food or drink spills, and more can often be effectively cleaned with some water and a drop of white vinegar, although many cleaners will also make house calls for smaller spills and hard-to-clean spots like wine or grease stains.

National average carpet cleaning prices range between $100 and $130. Carpet cleaning prices depend on how many square feet of carpet you want cleaned, how many rooms in one house or building will be cleaned, how stained your carpet is, how much the carpet cleaning company charges, your ZIP code, and the type of carpet you have. Cost per square foot can range from 20 cents to $1 or more, based on the above variables. Synthetic carpets are typically the least expensive to clean; natural fibers like wool cost more, as they require more care and attention, as well as more drying time. Excessive stains, challenging locations such as stairs, and accessibility also factor into your carpet cleaning price. Companies may charge a minimum service fee for cleaning a small carpet to cover their business expenses (paying employees, transporting the special equipment to your home). If your pet has repeatedly saturated the carpet with urine or if the fibers are extremely matted down, it may make more sense to completely replace your carpet than to continue to have it cleaned.

Regular professional carpet cleaning can both extend the life of your carpet and remove harmful pollutants from your home. Finding a good carpet cleaning company is an important aspect of home maintenance. When choosing a carpet cleaner, consider these top three questions:

• What method of carpet cleaning do you prefer? Steam cleaning is an increasingly popular method because it’s thorough and safe, and dries quickly enough for you to return to your home the same day the carpets are cleaned.
• Have you checked the company’s references? Most cities are home to several carpet cleaning companies, so it’s a good idea to check their reviews and references. Look for references from people in your neighborhood with homes similar to yours.
• What’s included in the base price? What other services does the carpet cleaning company offer? Some companies will move furniture for you, while others charge a fee for it. Some include stairs in the cost of the home’s cleaning, while others charge per step.

Whether your pet had an accident, the party got too wild, or your kids can’t control their juice boxes — we all need rug cleaning from time to time. In fact, even if you don’t have a spill or spot, it’s wise to have your area rug cleaned approximately once a year to keep the rug fibers in good health. In general, rug cleaning prices depend on the square footage of the rug, what the rug is made of, whether any repairs are needed, and whether you require the pro to travel to your location or provide pickup and drop-off services. Nationally, average area rug cleaning prices range from $80 to $120.

Wool and silk area rugs typically cost more to clean than rugs made from synthetic fibers because the more delicate materials take more care and may require specialized cleaning fluids. For example, a synthetic rug may cost $1.50 per square foot to clean; a wool, cotton, or chiffon rug could be $2 per square foot; and a silk or Navajo wool rug could cost $3 per square foot. The two most common rug cleaning methods are steam and chemical cleaning. The costs for the two methods are often the same, although a steam-cleaned rug will take longer to dry due to the moisture. If your area rug needs odor removal, moth deterrent, or hand washing, there will be additional charges.

Steam cleaning is an increasingly popular method of carpet cleaning that uses hot water and a detergent solution. The carpet cleaning machine sprays the solution onto your carpet, then sprays hot water on top to activate it. The machine then sucks up the majority of the water, extracting grime and pollutants from the carpet fibers. Steam cleaning is generally considered a safe way to clean carpets because it doesn’t use chemicals that are unhealthy for people or risky for the carpet fibers. Professional carpet cleaners use machines that are more powerful than home cleaners, so they can suck up more dirt and leave the floors dryer. Because steam cleaning penetrates the surface of the carpet, it removes far more dirt, pet hair, dust mites and other debris than vacuuming does. Steam cleaning is also commonly used for cleaning furniture and mattresses, so steam cleaning companies may offer these services bundled with carpet cleaning services.