How much does it cost to clean an acoustic ceiling?

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.

Replacing vs cleaning

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.

Cleaning methods

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:

• Organic enzymes are sprayed onto both porous and nonporous ceiling tiles. They break down the dirt and stains organically, and may be sprayed under pressure to reach further into porous tiles to help break down soil from within. Non-porous tiles must be wiped or brushed after being sprayed; porous tiles may be left alone after spraying. One gallon cleans approximately 1,000 sq.ft. and costs around $40.
• Oxidation reduction is a chemical treatment containing hydrogen peroxide sprayed onto the ceiling tile in a light mist. It’s primarily used on porous ceiling tiles and chemically lightens the stains on the tile. There is no scrubbing or wiping required. Three liters are required to clean 1,000 sq.ft. and costs about $45.

Labor

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.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Acoustic ceiling: A spray-on or paint-on treatment for the upper interior surface of a room which has a rough curd-like texture and is used to hide imperfections, absorb sound, and reduce echoes