In this guide

Rug Cleaning Cost per Square Foot

Professional rug cleaners charge by the square foot. Rug cleaning averages from $1 to $8 per sq. ft. The price range depends on the method used, such as dry cleaning, steam cleaning, or handwashing. Other factors increase the cost per square foot, such as if the rug requires stain removal, application of stain preventative treatments, or odor removal treatment.

Cost to Clean a Rug by Material

Rugs are fashioned from either natural or synthetic materials. The average cost of cleaning natural materials is $4 to $8 per sq. ft., while the cost to clean synthetic rugs averages $2 to $4 per sq. ft. Synthetic rug fibers are highly resilient and typically stain repellant. The man-made fibers include polypropylene and viscose. They tend to be the least expensive and easiest to clean. Natural fiber rugs include silk, wool, cotton, jute, and sisal. Professional wool rug cleaning is usually the most expensive natural fiber to clean. However, wool is naturally very stain-resistant and durable, which makes it a popular upscale rug choice. Usually, cleaning natural fiber rugs increases the cost of cleaning by around 20 percent. Older, delicate rugs can cost as much as 35 percent more to clean.

Polypropylene Rug Cleaning

The average cost to clean a polypropylene fiber rug is from $2 to $4 per sq. ft., depending on the method used (either dry or steam cleaning), degree of staining, and whether a protective stain repellent is applied following the cleaning. Polypropylene is a common synthetic rug material that is popular due to its durability, color-fast performance, and stain repellent characteristics. The fibers are very easy to clean using dry or steam cleaning methods. After steam cleaning, the fibers dry quickly.

Viscose Rug Cleaning

Viscose rug fibers are synthetic and average $2 to $4 per sq. ft. to clean depending on the degree of soiling and whether you opt to have a protective stain repellant applied. Although a viscose rug has vibrant colors and is somewhat stain-resistant, the fibers can yellow if a steam cleaning method is used. Ideally, the fibers should be cleaned using a dry clean method. The dry clean method also prevents the fading of the rug’s colors.

Sisal Rug Cleaning

Sisal rugs are highly absorbent and do not respond well to water or dampness. Cleaning sisal rugs averages $4 to $7 per sq. ft., depending on the degree of soiling. If you live in a humid climate, you should probably avoid this natural fiber rug. Sisal rugs respond to dry cleaning methods to remove dirt, debris, and stains. You should avoid steam cleaning the rug’s fibers. Exposure to moisture can make the fibers mold and mildew quickly.

Seagrass Rug Cleaning

Seagrass rugs are natural fibers that require the same care as sisal rugs. The cost to clean a seagrass rug using a dry clean method ranges from $4 to $7 per sq. ft. depending on the degree of soiling. They are highly absorbent and do not respond well to water. Any spill must be quickly blotted dry. If you plan to have your seagrass rug professionally cleaned, you’ll want to make sure that they only use a dry cleaning method or the rug’s fibers can quickly start to mold, mildew, and break down.

Jute Rug Cleaning

Jute is a natural fiber. The cost to clean a jute rug runs from $4 to $7 per sq. ft., depending on the degree of soiling. You should avoid getting the jute rug wet. If a spill occurs, you’ll need to blot it up promptly. When a jute rug is professionally cleaned, always opt for a dry clean method. If jute is exposed to moisture, it can mold, mildew, and start to fall apart.

Cotton Rug Cleaning

Cotton is a natural fiber, but some rugs are a combination of natural and synthetic materials. The charge to clean a cotton rug ranges from $4 to $7 per sq. ft. You’ll want to pay attention to the rug’s label to determine if it is pure cotton or a blend. Cleaning a cotton rug is typically carried out with dry cleaning methods, but some professional rug cleaners use steam cleaning.

Silk Rug Cleaning

Many upscale and antique rugs are made from silk. The cleaning process is extremely complicated and time-consuming, so silk rug cleaning is costly at $5 to $8 per sq. ft. Water is extremely harmful to a silk rug. Heat and humidity can easily cause rug fibers to twist and shorten. Colors may fade and start to bleed. A professional rug cleaner will use either a dry clean method or full submersion handwashing with air bubbles to loosen and remove debris.

Wool Rug Cleaning

High-end wool rugs naturally repel dirt and look amazing for generations. The complexity of the wool rug is why the cleaning prices are high. Cleaning a wool rug costs an average of $5 to $8 per sq. ft., depending on the degree of soiling. The wool fibers are all-natural and highly durable. A professional rug cleaner will evaluate the wool rug to determine the best cleaning method. Some rug cleaners will use a steam cleaning method, and others will turn to a dry clean method. Even hand washing is an option in some cases.

Rug Cleaning Prices by Cleaning Method

Professional rug washing service cleaners clean a wide array of rugs. The most common one is dry cleaning and has an average cost of $2 to $5 per sq. ft. Sometimes vacuuming is not enough to effectively remove dirt, allergens, and dust from carpet. Instead, you’ll need to bring in a professional rug cleaner to clean the rug’s fibers effectively. They will use either a dry clean, steam, or rug washing machine. Usually, the rug can be cleaned in the home, but on rare occasions, the cleaner might have to take the rug to clean it in a washing machine.

Steam Cleaning Rug Cost

The cost to steam clean your rug averages $1 to $4 per sq. ft. You can use a professional steam cleaning service to steam clean synthetic or machine washable rugs. The steam cleaner uses steam to dissolve and loosen dirt, grime, and grease. Also, the steam clean method kills 99 percent of all bacteria, leaving the rug exceptionally pristine. However, some rug fibers cannot withstand the moisture and high heat of a steam cleaner.

Rug Dry Cleaning Cost

The average cost to dry clean runs from $2 to $5 per sq. ft. Rug dry cleaning involves using dry chemical compounds and other cleaning solvents to clean the carpet without water or steam. The chemicals are placed directly on the carpet’s surface, where they effectively break down dirt and grime. Depending on how stained the rug appears, the rug cleaner might use spot solvent to clean certain areas of the carpet and lift away stains.

Rug Shampooing

A professional rug cleaner might use a rug shampooer to clean extremely dirty carpet effectively. They shampoo and lift away as much dirt as possible with this method and then suck up all the water to leave an almost completely dry rug. This method might not be ideal for certain types of rug fibers. If there are stains on the rug’s surface, the cleaner might opt to clean the rug by hand to focus on the problem area and lift away the dirt. Rug shampooing does not always refer to cleaning the rug “by hand.” Rug cleaning by hand is when a rug cleaner takes the rug to a facility to use a specialized rug washing machine. The fee for rug shampooing averages from $3 to $8 per sq. ft.

Rug Washing Machine

Industrial rug washing machines have been used for decades to clean certain types of rugs. The use of a rug washing machine is often referred to as cleaning the rug “by hand.” The professional rug cleaner will roll up the soiled rug and take it to the facility, where it will be professionally washed in a state-of-the-art machine. After the rug is cleaned and dried, the rug cleaner will bring back the rug to your home. The average cost to have the rug picked up, cleaned, and returned is $3 to $8 per sq. ft.

Rug Cleaning Cost by Style

The most common rug style is an area rug. They have a $2 to $8 per sq. ft. cost to be cleaned. When exploring the cost to clean an area rug, you will learn that there is a wide variety of rug styles with differing cleaning costs. Some rug types have a reputation for being difficult to clean due to the carpet fibers used to make the rug. However, others are somewhat easy to clean and not as costly. Often rugs are made from certain fibers that require very specific care. Below is a chart that includes the cost of labor and of cleaning various rug materials.

Cost to Clean Area Rug

Area rug cleaning prices average from $2 to $8 per sq. ft. Area rug cleaning costs depend on many factors, such as the type of material, size, and degree of soiling. An area rug can be made of synthetic fibers, wool, sisal, jute, silk, and more. Also, prices depend on the cleaning method used, such as dry cleaning, steam cleaning, or handwashing. A professional rug cleaner will evaluate the rug to determine which method is the most effective.

Oriental Rug Cleaning Cost

The average price of cleaning an oriental rug ranges from $3 to $8 per sq. ft. The cost varies depending on the rug’s age, material, origin, and size. The manufacturing process also impacts cleaning, such as if the rug is machine-made, handmade, hooked, or tufted. Oriental rugs are made from either wool or a wool/synthetic combo. Authentic Oriental rugs require hand washing, but machine-made Oriental rugs can often be steam cleaned or undergo dry cleaning methods.

Persian Rug Cleaning Cost

The cost of cleaning a Persian rug averages from $3 to $8 per sq. ft. This type of rug is typically made from wool. Some are new, and others might be centuries old. A professional rug cleaner will need to look at the rug to evaluate the best cleaning method to effectively remove the soiling. An authentic Persian rug is usually made from either silk or wool. It boasts hand knotting with asymmetrical Persian knots. Most Persian rugs need hand washing, but others might be able to undergo steam or dry cleaning methods.

Handmade Rug Cleaning

A handmade rug is a work of art that might be made from a wide array of materials. A professional rug cleaner will evaluate the fibers to determine what has been used in the rug’s creation. Often handmade rugs are wool or silk. However, if you purchase a rug from Southeast Asia or various islands, the rug might be woven from sisal, jute, or other material. The cost to clean a handmade rug ranges from $3 to $8 per sq. ft.

Indian Rug Cleaning

Indian rugs could be a form of Oriental rug or a rug woven in the Southwest by Native Americans. The term is used very loosely, so a professional rug cleaner will need to evaluate the rug to determine its material and the cost to clean the soiled item. Most Indian rugs will average from $3 to $8 per sq. ft.

Woven Rug Cleaning

Woven rugs are fragile and respond best to dry cleaning methods to remove dirt and soiled areas. A rug cleaner will evaluate the rug to determine the best type of dry cleaning chemical to remove the problem areas and return the rug’s pristine beauty. Woven rug cleaning prices usually range from $3 to $8 per sq. ft. depending on the type of rug fiber and the methods used to clean it.

Flat Weave Rug Cleaning

Flatweave rugs are either hand-woven or machine-made. The machine-made rugs tend to be easier to clean and are often made from a variety of synthetic substances. Handwoven flatweave rugs may be made from wool, silk, sisal, jute, cotton, and other fibers. Usually, the best way to clean the rug is by using a dry clean method. The cost of cleaning flat weave rug averages from $3 to $8 per sq. ft. depending on the type of fiber.

Rug Cleaning Prices by Treatment

The average cost of adding a treatment to your rug cleaning project is $1 to $2 per sq. ft. or $10 to $50 per rug. Additional charges may be incurred when cleaning a rug, depending on certain problems that can occur. A rug might have a stain, odor problem, moth issue, or require an antimicrobial disinfectant or wool treatment. Each rug cleaning treatment costs extra and will be added to the cost of cleaning. Typically, the rug cleaner will discuss the additional treatments with you before undertaking them.

Rug Stain Protection Sealing

After cleaning a rug, many people add rug stain protection sealing. In fact, virtually all rug cleaners highly recommend applying the chemicals to protect your rug from future stains and help extend its life. It also reduces the time needed between cleanings. Depending on the rug type, certain chemicals are applied to the newly cleaned rug to create a protective seal that repels oily stains. The cost of the treatment ranges from $1 to $2 per sq. ft. Many professional rug cleaners automatically include the cost of the sealer in the price of carpet cleaning.

Moth Prevention

In some areas, moth infestations occur frequently. The moths quickly damage the natural fibers of your rug, and holes develop. If you plan to roll up your rug and store it after cleaning, you will want to have a moth preventative applied to protect the rug during storage. Moth prevention usually requires two treatments to be effective against the pests. The cost of treatment averages $1 to $2 per sq. ft.

Wool Treatment

Wool is a natural fiber that is at the mercy of Mother Nature, even in your home. With proper care, wool rugs last for generations. A wool treatment is applied after cleaning the wool rug to extend its life. The treatments focus on preventing dry rot and the buildup of bacteria and fungi. Wool treatments also reduce allergens that can impact humans and pets in the home. The cost of wool treatments run from $1 to $2 per sq. ft.

Antimicrobial Disinfectant

Disease-causing microbes can infest carpets, textiles, antiques, and beds. When you have your rug cleaned, consider paying extra to have an antimicrobial disinfectant applied to sanitize the rug and eliminate allergens. The cost of having an antimicrobial disinfectant applied to your rug averages an additional $2 to $3 per sq. ft.

Rug Stain Removal

A rug cleaning specialist will use UV lights paired with moisture meters to locate stains. They will evaluate the stain to determine the correct chemical or enzyme treatment formula to lift away the stain. Not all stains can be removed. If the stain is deep or old, the rug cleaner might not completely wipe it away. In some cases, they can reduce its appearance. Rug stain removal costs $10 to $50 depending on the size of the stain, age, and treatment method.

Odor Removal Cost

Odor removal cost averages $15 to $50 per rug. If you have pets, children, or smoke in your home, your rug can easily have unpleasant odors and require an odor removal process to smell new again. The formula used by most professional rug cleaners contains bio enzymes that kill off odor-causing bacteria. Antimicrobial treatments further inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi, which can lead to odor development.

Rug Cleaning Cost by Brand

The average cost of hiring a well-known company to clean your rug ranges between $65 and $400 per rug. Certain professional rug cleaning companies, such as Stanley Steemer, Dalworth, and Chem-dry are available in many locations. The chains have made a name for themselves by offering a variety of professional services at affordable prices. Dalworth is not available in all states, so check your region to determine if they service your area. Below is a table that includes Stanley Steemer prices and two other rug cleaning companies.

Chem-dry Prices

Chem-dry typically charges from $65 to $200 per rug. Chem-dry has been in business for over 40 years. The nationwide chain offers specialized chemical dry cleaning methods. The process removes up to 98 percent of all household allergens such as dust mites and pet dander from rugs. The method, although not completely “dry” due to the chemicals, uses 80 percent less water than steam cleaning. Carpets are completely dry within hours. They provide onsite rug cleaning.

Stanley Steemer Rug Cleaning Cost

The Stanley Steemer rug cleaning method uses a combination of steam with hot water extraction. They perform the cleaning in your home or off-site. Typically, they charge $1 to $3 per sq. ft depending on the type of rug and soil level. They charge either a $100 or $150 minimum fee to come to your home and clean the rug. They offer additional treatments such as deodorizing, which averages from $25 to $75 per rug.

Dalworth Rug Cleaning Cost

Dalworth services cost $150 to $400 and do not offer onsite rug cleaning. They pick up the rug and take it to their facility for cleaning. All rugs go through a complete evaluation and air dusting. They do clear water rinsing and full immersion. The rug is then air dried. They perform rug fluffing, brushing, and combing. Rug fringe cleaning and combing are included. They offer options like insect repellant and fiber protector. Then, the rug is returned to your home.

Cost to Clean a Rug

A mid-range cost to clean a rug averages $4 to $6 per square foot for a mildly soiled rug that only has a few easily removable stains. The cost includes labor and materials needed to clean the rug effectively. You can opt to have additional treatments performed on the rug, but the price will increase. In many cases, the mid-range price includes a stain protectant. You’ll need to discuss what the price includes with the professional rug cleaner.

A professional rug company will come to your home to either steam clean, shampoo, or dry clean your rug. In some cases, the rug might need to be removed and taken to a specialized rug cleaning facility for handwashing. The cost to clean a rug depends on whether the rug will be cleaned onsite or taken to a facility. Typically, a professional rug cleaning company will charge by the square foot to clean the rug. Any other treatments incur an additional charge. The type of cleaning used, such as steam or dry cleaning, impacts the cost. Treatments and protectants are additional charges that you might want to consider depending on your unique circumstances. Many professional rug cleaners perform rug repairs when needed.

Rug Cleaning Pickup and Delivery

If the rug cleaning process includes pickup and delivery of the rug, most companies include the cost in the price. However, some companies only pick up and deliver rugs for offsite cleaning under certain circumstances. Such companies that do not regularly offer service will often charge an additional $25 to $50 per rug to pick up the rug and return it after cleaning.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Rug Repair Cost

A professional rug cleaning company will often offer rug repair for any damage. To repair a rug, they may charge from $2 to $8 per sq. ft. They average from $200 to $500 to fix a rug that has fraying or a cigarette burn. Fringe repair, rug binding, color correction, mold/water damage repair, rug patching, rug restoration, rug smoothing, rug stretching, rug shaving, and rug back repairs are just a few services offered by a rug carpet cleaner.