How Much Does Professional Wall Cleaning Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $169 - $465
The average cost of professional wall cleaning is $303, and prices often range from $169 to $465.
Professional wall cleaning typically costs around $303, but you could pay anywhere from $75 to $907.
This might seem like a lot, but months of dust, dirty fingerprints, and long-forgotten cobwebs can take a toll on your walls, making your otherwise spiffy home look dirty and dingy. A vetted pro can clean your walls and make them look brand new, instantly breathing life back into your living space. In this guide, we’ll explain wall cleaning costs, and how you can get an accurate estimate for your home.
- Average
- $303
- Low end
- $75
- high end
- $907
How Much Does a Wall Cleaning Service Cost per Square Foot?
Wall cleaning services typically cost between $0.50 and $0.60 per square foot. Depending on the wall material and some other factors, costs may go as low as $0.45 per square foot or as high as $0.65 per square foot. You can also expect to pay between $70 to $90 per room, depending on the size.
Wall Cleaning Cost Factors
There are many factors that go into a professional’s determination of how much to charge for wall cleaning, including the walls’ height and how dirty they are. Below are some of the factors to keep in mind when you’re budgeting for your wall cleaning project.
Material
Because walls can consist of different materials themselves, there isn’t a universal cleaning product that you can use for every type of wall.
Depending on the surface of your wall—drywall, plaster, wood, wallpaper, brick, or something else—the cost of the proper cleaning materials will vary as you want to make sure you’re using materials that won’t damage your walls.
For instance, you can clean flat paint walls with basic pantry items like white vinegar and dish soap, but wood walls require an oil base cleaning solution like Murphy’s Oil, which costs more. Your professional will charge based on wall material, but a big part of the associated cost is the price of the appropriate cleaning solution.
Wall Height
Because wall cleaning cost is often determined by the square footage of the surface you want cleaned, the height of your walls will affect the total sum for the project. On average wall cleaning services cost $0.50 to $0.60 per square foot. This means that a 10 foot by 10 foot room with standard 8-foot walls would cost an average of $440 for wall cleaning services, while the same room with 10-foot walls would cost $550.
Essentially, the more wall space there is to clean, the more it will cost to clean it.
Additionally height factors into what equipment your professional will need to reach the entirety of the walls. Whether it be a ladder or cleaning pole, this can also add to the total cost, especially if you need to clean high ceilings or unusually tall walls.
Frequency of Cleaning
How often you need to clean your walls will play a role in your long-term wall cleaning service costs. Ultimately, the frequency will depend on your lifestyle. Let’s say you frequently cook elaborate, splash-prone meals or have kids with sticky fingers and a penchant for putting them everywhere—your walls will probably need cleaning services more often, which will end up costing more–even if your per-service prices are the same.
Of course if you have the time, you can clean your walls on your own, and limit the need for professional cleaners by maintaining small wall messes between deep cleanings done by the pro..
How Dirty Your Walls Are
The amount of dirt and grime on your walls will determine the amount of materials and labor needed to clean your walls. If your walls have particularly tough stains, they may also require a more intense cleaning solution that could up the price.
For instance, cleaning soot off walls will take more effort than a splash of tomato sauce from pasta night. The type of mess, and the time it had to soak into the wall, will play a role.
If you haven’t cleaned in a while, you might also need to pay a little extra for the pro to do a quick wall dusting, as dust can get in the way of the actual cleaning process.
Labor
Labor makes up the bulk of wall cleaning costs and typically has materials bundled into the average price. Typically, wall cleaning services cost $70 to $90 per room, but you may need to pay more depending on the intensity of labor required.
The more difficult the cleaning job, the longer it will take. When broken down by hour, the average cost for wall cleaning is around $25 to $30 per hour. Taller walls and rough wall materials can factor into how many hours it takes to complete your wall cleaning job.
Be sure to find a house cleaner near you so you can compare prices, and find the right professional for your needs.
Location
Your location can affect what you pay to have a pro clean your walls, as home improvement and cleaning costs often scale with the local cost of living. The table below includes some average costs for these cities:
| City | Cost |
|---|---|
| Boston | $285 |
| Chicago | $520 |
| New York City | $310 |
| Los Angeles | $325 |
| Houston | $435 |
| Denver | $220 |
| Tampa, FL | $325 |
| Nashville, TN | $240 |
Wall Cleaning Cost by Wall Material
As we mentioned above, the cost of wall cleaning services will vary based on your wall material. The table below includes some standard price ranges per square foot for different types of wall materials:
| Wall Type | Cleaning Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Drywall (unfinished) | $0.55–$0.60 |
| Brick | $0.60–$0.65 |
| Painted surfaces | $0.50–$0.60 |
| Plaster | $0.45–$0.50 |
| Wallpaper | $0.45–$0.60 |
| Wood | $0.55–$0.65 |
How Much Does It Cost to Clean Walls Yourself?
Cleaning your own walls doesn’t typically involve spending a lot on materials—in fact, you probably have most of the necessary items in your cabinets and pantry already. This means you can save a few hundred dollars on the work–if you don’t mind putting in the work. However, you’ll spend a lot more of your time and won’t benefit from the expertise of a local house cleaner.
That said, if you still want to take this on yourself, be extra cautious and thoroughly research the surface you intend to clean. Make sure you’re gentle when cleaning eggshell paint walls, as well as anything with a flat, glossy, or satin finish. It’s always a good idea to spot-clean a small area on the wall to ensure it’s safe before proceeding.
The table below includes some average costs of cleaning supplies you might need for your project.
| Supplies/Tools | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| All-purpose cleaner | $5 |
| Baking soda | $1 |
| Bleach | $5 |
| Bucket | $5 |
| Dish soap | $4 |
| Extendable duster | $15 |
| Hydrogen peroxide | $2 |
| Sponge | $1 |
| Vinegar | $3 |
Keep in mind that you may need a ladder to reach high ceilings, which can cost anywhere from $30 to $250 or more depending on the size and quality. Always use caution when climbing on a ladder, only going up to a safe level and always working with a buddy to keep it steady.
If cleaning isn’t doing the trick, you can refresh your walls with a fresh coat of paint for about $15 to $35 per gallon. You can also vet a wallpaper pro and have them cover your walls for a completely different look.
How to Save Money on Wall Cleaning Costs
Wall cleaning costs aren’t outlandish, but you can still save money on hiring a professional by using the tips below.
Maintain general cleanliness: By giving your walls a simple wipe down about once a month—especially in easily-reachable places where there are any noticeable dirt marks or splatters—you can limit the hourly labor required by professionals and cut down on your total bill when it comes time to get them professionally cleaned.
Consider doing it yourself: If it is feasible and you already have the main equipment and supplies on hand, it might be worth approaching on your own. Just make sure you use the best cleaning solution for your walls–based on your wall material.
Bundle it with house cleaning: If your entire house is in need of a professional cleaning, you can bundle in wall cleaning with the house cleaning cost and get everything done at once, consolidating the bills. This could lead your cleaner to give you a discount on the total bill.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, nicotine and cigarette smoke are tough to remove from walls, which impacts the cleaning price. Fire damage restoration can cost tens of thousands of dollars, but you’ll pay $200 to $1,000 to eradicate nicotine and related smoke from the walls. This price range depends on just how bad the walls are stained and the overall size and scope of the project.
This depends on the type of paint you used in the first place. For oil-based paints, the fastest way to clean the walls is to mix a solution in a bucket of warm water, one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and a ½ teaspoon of distilled white vinegar. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the walls down.
For latex-based paints, try to avoid water as much as possible. Instead, go the dry cleaning route and start with a vacuum. You’d be surprised how well a powerful vacuum can work on walls. After that, go in with a dry sponge.
The best way to keep your walls clean is to dust them regularly to nip any dirt and cobwebs in the bud. This alone can go a long way in keeping your living space looking near and clean. It’s also a good idea to do a DIY monthly wall washing using a gentle all-purpose cleaner that’s safe for the surface material. You can also use a mixture of white vinegar and water as a cleaning solution. If your walls get exceptionally dirty or stained, though, you should call in a professional cleaning service to complete a deep clean.