How Much Does Carpet Cleaning Cost? [2026 Data]

Residential carpet cleaning is often priced with a **minimum trip charge**, **per-room** rates, and/or **per-square-foot** rates—your total is usually governed by whichever is highest for your layout. Published ballparks often land near **$25–$75 per room**, **~$0.20–$0.55 per sq ft** for hot water extraction, and **minimum jobs ~$85–$150** depending on market.

**Hot water extraction (HWE)**—commonly called steam cleaning—is the most common residential method; **truck-mount** vs **portable** extractors mainly affects power, reach, and dry time. **Low-moisture / encapsulation / dry compound** methods can dry faster and suit some fibers or maintenance plans; heavy soil may still prefer HWE.

Stairs, pet urine, and specialty fibers add cost. Most homes benefit from cleaning every **12–18 months** in traffic lanes. Use our estimator for a hybrid range by rooms, carpet sq ft, and method.