How Much Does Professional Rug Cleaning Cost in 2024?
Normal range: $100 - $350
The cost to clean an area rug ranges anywhere from $60 to $600, or an average of $180 for a standard 5-foot by-8-foot rug.
Area rugs handle a lot of traffic in your home, not to mention spilled food, paw prints, and the occasional glitter-filled craft project. Rug cleaning costs primarily come down to its size and the material. Steaming cleaning a small rug can cost as little as $60, while professionally hand washing a large Oriental rug can cost over $600.
- Average
- $180
- Low end
- $60
- high end
- $600
The cost to clean an area rug ranges anywhere from $60 to $600, or an average of $180 for a standard 5-foot by-8-foot rug. Area rugs handle a lot of traffic in your home, not to mention spilled food, paw prints, and the occasional glitter-filled craft project. Rug cleaning costs primarily come down to its size and the material. Steaming cleaning a small rug can cost as little as $10, while professionally hand washing a large Oriental rug can cost over $1,000.
| Low Cost | Average Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $60 | $180 | $600 |
Rug Cleaning Cost Factors
When you purchase an area rug, it's important to check the care label for proper cleaning instructions. While some materials can handle dry cleaning and steam cleaning, others need a more delicate hand wash. Professionals will not use the same detergents for each rug material either, swaying the cost in either direction
Size
Most professionals will set initial rug cleaning prices based on the size of your rug. Traditional steam cleaning and dry cleaning ranges between $1 and $5 per square foot on average whereas hand washing—which is far more labor-intensive and time-consuming—will range between $5 and $8 per square foot. Here are some rug cleaning costs to expect for common sizes.
| Rug Size | Steam/Dry Cleaning | Hand Wash |
|---|---|---|
| 3' x 5' | $15 – $75 | $75 – $120 |
| 4' x 8' | $32 – $160 | $160 – $260 |
| 5' x 7' | $35 – $175 | $175 – $280 |
| 6' x 10' | $60 – $300 | $300 – $480 |
| 8' x 12' | $96 – $480 | $480 – $770 |
| 6' diameter | $28 – $140 | $140 – $220 |
| 8' diameter | $50 – $250 | $250 – $400 |
| 10' diameter | $110 – $570 | $570 – $900 |
Material
Both carpet and area rug fibers can break down when not properly cared for. Harsh chemicals on wool, silk, and on most Oriental rugs are not an option, only leaving open the option of handwashing. On the low end, you'll pay between $1 and $4 per square foot to clean rugs made of synthetic fibers and up to $8 per square foot for wool, cotton, silk, and sheepskin. We'll break these down in detail below.
Method
There are three primary levels of rug cleaning, each with its own costs that range from $1 to $8 per square foot. Traditional dry cleaning uses chemicals to break up dirt and grime without adding moisture. It's relatively quick and straightforward, but not ideal for delicate fibers. Steam cleaning skips the chemicals but uses hot water extraction to get to the base of the rug and pull out dirt. Highly delicate rugs will need to be hand washed by a pro, requiring specialized detergent and several rounds of washing. Yet again, we'll go into this more deeply below.
Style
The weave of your rug will determine how delicately your cleaner should handle the fibers. Standard rugs will cost between $3 and $8 per square foot whereas Oriental and Persian rug cleaning costs on the high end, between $5 and $8 per square foot on average.
Tipping
Tipping rug cleaners is not required, but it's still a kind gesture for the hard work. We recommend adding between 10 and 20 percent to your bill as a thank you for both in-home and off-site cleaners, particularly if they pick up and deliver.
Rug Cleaning Cost by Material
Whether you're learning how to maintain your Persian rug or just need to clean your kids' playroom rug, the material has a big say in the cost of cleaning.
Synthetic
Most budget-friendly area rugs come in synthetic materials, and while the rugs do not last as long as others, they're tough against cleaning chemicals. You'll pay just $1 to $4 per square foot to clean synthetic area rugs.
Sisal
Tougher woven rugs made from the agave plant require a water-free method such as dry-cleaning, but are a little trickier to wash than synthetic fibers. Expect between $4 and $7 per square foot.
Cotton
Many companies weave cotton and synthetic fiber for extra softness, but you'll want to avoid most hard dry cleaning chemicals here. You'll pay between $2 and $8 per square foot for steam cleaning or hand washing.
Wool
Rug cleaning costs for wool depend on whether the fibers are machine or hand-woven. The former can be cleaned with a steamer for between $3 and $7 per square foot whereas the latter is best when hand washed for $5 to $8 per square foot.
Silk
As you can imagine, this highly delicate and quite costly type of rug requires special care. Cleaning a silk rug costs between $4 and $8 per square foot, and it's best to find a company familiar with the material to use the proper detergent.
Sheepskin
Sheepskin or other animal hide area rugs require specialized cleaning as well. On average, you'll pay $4 to $7 per square foot for rug cleaning costs to care for both sides of the hide.
Rug Cleaning Cost by Method
When you send your rug off to the local rug cleaners, what methods do they typically use? From traditional dry cleaning to more intensive hand washing, here's what to expect from the process and price.
Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning, also known as hot water extraction, is a common rug and carpet cleaning method that costs between $1 and $4 per square foot. Steam cleaning uses hot pressurized water to get to the base of the fibers and pull out dirt without chemicals.
Dry/Chemical Cleaning
You'll pay between $2 and $5 per square foot for dry rug cleaning cost. Dry cleaning is one of the most efficient ways to clean a rug, as there is minimal drying time. The process requires chemicals with minimal moisture to break down the dirt in the fibers. However, not all materials agree with the necessary chemicals, making this a non-viable option for some rugs.
Hand Washing
Hand washing rugs costs the most due to the personalized attention and ample attention necessary time for each rug. You'll pay between $5 and $8 per square foot to have a rug hand washed. Professionals prepare multiple baths of water and gentle detergent to lightly agitate the fibers and rinse away the remaining dirt.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Learning how to clean an area rug is an easy task for most rug materials. In addition to regular passes with the vacuum, you can buy or rent a steamer or shampooer to deep clean most rugs. Most of these machines cost between $30 and $60 a day to rent. That being said, a professional cleaner has far more experience treating stains, removing odors, and handling delicate materials.
Cost of Rug Cleaning Add-Ons
One of the most important reasons to send a rug off to the cleaners is their specialized services. Stain treatment, repair, and even simple convenience all top the list.
Pickup/Delivery
Professional cleaners will add between $25 and $50 to pick up and deliver the rug to your home. If you live in a large city without a car, this may be the more convenient option to transport your rug to and from the cleaners.
Stain and Odor Removal
Highly stained or smelly rugs will need some extra TLC. Professionals charge an extra $10 to $50 per stain or will add $20 to $75 per rug for extreme odor removal. Add stain protection for an additional $2 to $3 per square foot as well.
Special Rug Treatments
Many cleaners will offer specialized protection treatments in addition to stain guards. Anti-allergen treatment will add between $1 and $2 per square foot while disinfecting a rug will cost an extra $2 to $3 per square foot.
Rug Repair
Your local carpet and rug cleaners may also have experience with minor repairs, such as tears or loose fibers. The cost of carpet repairs cost an average of $200 in addition to the cleaning service.
Pad Cleaning
Do you keep a pad beneath your rug for traction and extra cushion? Add between $1 and $2 per square foot to have the pad cleaned as well.
How to Lower Rug Cleaning Costs
Rug cleaning costs don't need to add up with a bit of ongoing care. There are also some tips to keep your bill to a minimum when sending it to the pros.
Combine rug cleaning with other house cleaning costs when hiring professional cleaners.
Treat rug stains yourself before sending it to the cleaners.
Shop around your neighborhood to compare at least three prices and rug cleaning packages.
Consider a protective treatment when sending it to the cleaners to lower future costs.
Rent a steamer or shampooer for the day to clean tougher fibers on your own.
Send multiple rugs at once to lower pickup and delivery fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Professionally cleaning a rug at least once a year significantly prolongs the life of the fibers. It can also lower allergens in your home and keep each room smelling fresh. While there are DIY options to clean a rug, an occasional professional cleaning will make a large difference.
There are some brands of rugs that bill themselves as machine washable. Only put a rug in a commercial washer if the care label specifically allows it. Additionally, ensure that your laundromat allows rugs in their machines, as some prohibit it.
Professional rug cleaning will take between one day and a week on average. Some cleaners can complete the process in a few hours depending on the method, but most will keep the rug for several days to ensure proper cleaning and drying.