(DIY application of oxidizing cleanser onto 1000 sq.ft. ceiling)
(Professional cleaning of heavily soiled 1000 sq.ft. ceiling)
Cost to clean an acoustic ceiling varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
Get free estimates from local contractors in your city.
The average cost of cleaning an acoustic ceiling is $150.
Acoustic ceilings are made up of tiles designed to insulate a room and absorb sound. They’re typically installed in office buildings, but also in homes where a quiet room or space is needed. Unfortunately, over time, acoustic ceilings, particularly the old-fashioned porous type, can absorb things like grease, cigarette smoke, bacteria, and dust, turning them a dingy gray or brown color. Water leaks can also stain an acoustic ceiling, creating large, unsightly blotches of color where the water sat.
While 50 years ago it wasn’t possible to clean an acoustic ceiling without causing the tile to crumble and leaving behind a number of spots and stains, cleaning methods have changed and it is now possible to clean your ceiling, rather than replace it when it becomes dirty.
Cleaning your ceiling is much more cost effective than painting or replacing it. The average person will spend around $150 to $350 on a 1,000 sq.ft. ceiling. The type of acoustic ceiling that you have, as well as the condition that it’s in can affect the total cost. However, heavily stained ceilings or ceilings that contain asbestos and that need specialized care may cost more.
Many years ago the only way to deal with a stained or dirty ceiling was to replace it. Because acoustic ceilings are made of tiles, many people simply chose to pull down the affected tiles and put up new ones, simply because cleaning was often so ineffective.
Now, however, cleaning your ceiling is much more cost effective. It’s estimated that cleaning will cost roughly ⅓ of the cost of replacement. So while you may spend $150 to $350 to clean your ceiling, you will spend $1,000 to $5,000 to have that same ceiling replaced.
How you have your ceiling cleaned may be different depending on the condition of the ceiling and the type of acoustic tile that you have. There are two standard methods used for cleaning acoustic ceiling tiles:
Most cleaning companies that deal in acoustic ceiling cleaning charge between $0.15 and $0.35 per sq.ft. or around $150 to $350 for a 1,000 sq.ft. ceiling. This involves the taping off of walls and fixtures, covering the floors and furnishings with drop cloths, spraying the cleanser onto the ceiling, and any wiping, brushing, or other renewal methods necessary to remove the stains and clean the ceiling. Most ceilings will be cleaned within three to four hours including setup time.
Cost to clean an acoustic ceiling varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.