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.

Carpet cleaning costs vary depending on the type of cleaning, such as steam cleaning, and whether there are any stains that require special treatment. The main cost factors are the square footage of the carpet and the material it’s made from. The national average carpet cleaning price ranges from $100 to $130 for a typical suburban home, but steam cleaning prices start at an average of $120. In general, professional carpet cleaning ranges from an average of 20 cents to 50 cents per square foot, depending on where you live. Many companies have a minimum fee or room requirement — such as two rooms for an average of $40 each — and will charge more to clean carpeted stairs or a second floor. Finally, the carpet fiber type, density and pile will also affect the cost of cleaning; man-made fibers are stain-resistant and easier to clean, while wool carpeting is sensitive to water and requires more care.

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.

Several factors determine the cost of professional carpet cleaning, from the number of rooms in the home to additional carpeted areas to the products used to lift stains. The national average cost to steam clean a carpet ranges from $100 to $130. Most professional carpet cleaning companies’ rates are based on the number of rooms they clean, starting at an average base rate of $30 per room or $55 for two standard rooms and a hallway. Larger rooms may be charged as two rooms or incur a square footage fee. Carpet cleaners often charge by the step to clean a stairway as well as additional fees for closets and hallways; for example, some charge an average of $5 per step. Expect extra fees, starting at an average of $15 per stain, for lifting difficult food, pet or oil stains from carpets. Some carpet cleaning companies offer package deals to also clean furniture and throw rugs while in the home; a chair usually costs an average of $70 to be steam cleaned, and a couch costs an average of $100.