True Cost Guide Cleaning Services Clean a Rug

How Much Does Rug Cleaning Cost in 2025?

Typical Range:

$10 - $900

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated November 14, 2024

Reviewed by Asya Biddle, Cleaning Services Professional & Owner of The Dust Busters, Williamsport, PA

Written by HomeAdvisor.

Highlights

Typical area rug cleaning costs range widely from $10 to $900.
The rug size, style, and material heavily influence the cost of cleaning.
Steam cleaning and dry cleaning are less expensive than hand washing.
Hand-woven Oriental and Persian rugs should only be washed by hand.
It costs $150 and $600 to clean an 8-by-10-foot area rug.
Professional rug cleaning costs an average of $1 to $8 per square foot.
Additional rug treatments include anti-odor treatments, stain removal, and moth protection.

On average, area rug cleaning costs between $150 and $600 for a typical 8-by-10-foot rug. Cleaning smaller rugs costs less, usually $60 to $300. The typical cost for professional rug cleaning ranges from $1 to $8 per square foot, depending on the rug material and cleaning method. Steam cleaning is considerably cheaper than hand cleaning. Additional treatments, like stain removal, cost extra.

Average Rug Cleaning Cost

Average Cost	High Cost	Low Cost
$150	$900	$10

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Rug Cleaning Cost Factors

Major factors that impact how much rug cleaning costs include cleaning method, rug material, rug style, and rug size.

Cost by Cleaning Method

While professional rug cleaning may cost between $1 and $8 per square foot, the price you pay depends largely on the cleaning method. Local rug cleaners can suggest which method is best suited for your type of rug.

Cleaning Method	Cost per Square Foot
Dry cleaning	$1.50–$5
Steam	$1–$4
Hand	$3–$8

Dry Cleaning Rugs Cost

Expect to pay between $1.50 and $5 per square foot for dry cleaning a rug or using a low-moisture wash. This cleaning method uses a chemical detergent that is worked into the fiber with a special machine. The chemicals work out the soil, and the pros vacuum it all out. A short dry time is required.

Steam Cleaning Rug Budget

Steam cleaning your rug costs $1 to $4 per square foot, on average. Most carpet manufacturers recommend this service because deep cleaning effectively removes soil and dirt without damaging fibers.

Rug Hand Washing Prices

Hand-washing an area rug costs $3 to $8 per square foot. Sensitive materials like wool or cotton may require hand washing. It's the most time-consuming method, requiring separate steps for applying shampoo, scrubbing, and rinsing. The higher price makes hand washing applicable only for delicate and unique pieces.

Cleaning Prices by Rug Material

In addition to the cleaning method, the rug material determines how much you'll pay. Low-cost, synthetic fibers are durable and inexpensive to maintain. Natural fibers like wool and silk, especially when hand-woven, require the most care when washing.

Rug Material	Cost per Square Foot
Wool	$5–$8
Cotton	$2–$8
Silk	$4–$8
Synthetic	$1–$4
Sheepskin	$4–$8
Sisal	$4–$7
Other materials	$1–$8

Wool

Wool rugs cost $5 to $8 per square foot to wash. Machine-woven wool and wool blends cost less at about $3 to $7 per square foot. Hand washing is the best and only option for most hand-woven wool rugs.

Cotton

Cotton rug cleaning costs $2 to $8 per square foot. All-natural rugs with no additives or hand-woven features will cost more. Cotton blends with synthetic fibers can often be cleaned using synthetic methods, like steam cleaning.

Silk

Silk rug cleaning costs $4 to $8 per square foot. They almost always need hand washing and dry cleaning. It’s a costly, time-consuming process to avoid harming the silk.

Synthetic

Synthetic fiber rugs cost about $1 to $4 per square foot to clean. This rug type is usually durable and inexpensive to make, meaning it can withstand harsh shampooing and steam cleaning without damaging the fibers.

Sheepskin

Sheepskin rug cleaning costs $4 to $8 per square foot. Sheepskin rugs should be cleaned annually by hand washing. Your rug cleaning pro uses specially formulated detergents that avoid drying or cracking the hide.

Sisal

Sisal rugs, made from woven agave plant fibers, cost $4 to $7 per square foot to clean. They’re highly absorbent, making them tough to clean. This type of carpet requires a liquid-free cleaning method.

Other Materials

Area rug cleaning costs vary for other types of less common rug materials:

Cowhide: $3–$8 per sq. ft.
Rayon: $3–$8 per sq. ft.
Seagrass: $4–$7 per sq. ft.
Jute: $4–$7 per sq. ft

Cost by Rug Style

While rug cleaning costs are primarily based on the material and cleaning method, the weave and style of Oriental or Persian rugs can influence the cleaning price.

Oriental Rugs

Oriental rug cleaning costs $5 to $8 per square foot. The knitting and delicate materials require hand washing. Ensure the rug-cleaning pro uses sensitive cleaners without many chemicals to avoid damaging the fragile fibers.

Persian Rugs

Persian rug cleaning costs $5 to $8 per square foot. Cleaning Persian rugs is identical to cleaning Oriental rugs because both require hand washing with sensitive cleaners. The main difference between the two rug types is the kind of knot.

Other Rug Styles

Other styles and weaves might increase the price of rug cleaning, including the following types.

Woven: $3–$8 per sq. ft.
Flat Weave: $3–$8 per sq. ft.
Indian: $3–$8 per sq. ft.

Cost by Size

Rug cleaning prices vary by rug size. The table below breaks down the prices for common rug sizes for both steam/dry cleaning and hand washing methods:

Size (Square Feet)	Steam/Dry Clean Cost	Hand Washing Cost
2x4 (8)	$8–$40	$25–$65
3x5 (15)	$15–$75	$45–$120
4x8 (32)	$30–$120	$75–$250
5x7 (35)	$35–$190	$140–$280
6x10 (60)	$60–$300	$180–$480
8x12 (96)	$96–$480	$288–$770
Round, 3-ft. diameter (7)	$10–$35	$20–$55
Round, 6-ft. diameter (28)	$30–$140	$85–$225
Round, 8-ft. diameter (50)	$50–$250	$150–$400
Round, 12-ft. diameter (113)	$115–$565	$340–$900

Rug Cleaning Treatment Prices

In addition to standard rug cleaning, you might consider adding treatments for stains, odor, and other protections to extend the life of your rug.

Treatment Type	Average Cost Range
Stain removal	$10–$50 per stain
Anti-odor treatment	$15–$75 per rug
Stain protection	$1.50–$2.50 per sq. ft.
Moth protection	$1–$2 per sq. ft.
Wool treatment	$1–$2 per sq. ft.
Antimicrobial disinfectant	$2–$3 per sq. ft.

Ongoing Maintenance

Other carpet maintenance factors, such as pickup and delivery, might increase the service price. When estimating your area rug cleaning costs, consider adding these costs to the base price:

Pickup and delivery: $25–$50. You may pay more if you live outside the company’s delivery area.
Rug cleaning: Costs 25% to 40% more in areas with a high cost of living, such as New York City.
Carpet removal: $1–$1.50 per sq. ft. for tack strip and staple removal before cleaning.
Carpet installation: $3.50–$11 per sq. ft. for reinstallation after cleaning.

Rug Repairs

Repairs include services like color corrections, reweaving, repairing mold damage, repairing edges, blocking, and straightening. Carpet repair costs $2 to $8 per square foot, with a total average price of $200 to $500 for rug repairs.

Rug Cleaning vs. Replacement

When it comes to maintaining the appearance and lifespan of your area rugs, you may have to decide between professional cleaning and replacement. The cost of rug cleaning versus replacement can vary significantly.

Older, heavily soiled, or damaged rugs may not respond well to cleaning and require replacement for the best long-term results. Delicate rug materials or antique rugs may also be too fragile for thorough cleaning. More durable materials like wool and nylon typically clean up nicely.

At the same time, larger area rugs are generally more expensive to replace than to clean professionally. High-end, hand-woven rugs can also be very costly to replace, more easily justifying the cost of a professional cleaning. With proper maintenance, stain protection, and regular vacuuming, many area rugs may only need a light cleaning every couple of years.

Budgeting for Rug Cleaning

Keeping the cost of professional rug cleaning within your budget doesn't have to be a challenge. These helpful tips can help you save some money:

Schedule regular maintenance: Get your rugs cleaned annually to prevent deep, set-in stains that require more intensive and expensive treatments.
Take care of small spills quickly: Blot up liquid spills immediately to prevent them from soaking deep into the rug fibers.
Vacuum frequently: Regular vacuuming removes surface dirt and grime, extending the time between professional rug cleanings.
Ask for bulk discounts: Some professional rug cleaners may offer a discount if you clean multiple rugs at the same time.
Drop off and pick up yourself: Save on pickup and delivery fees by bringing your soiled rug to the cleaner yourself.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the 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.

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FAQs

How much are rug cleaning prices in NYC?

Depending on the size, style, and material, rug cleaning prices in New York City range from $150 to $900. This is higher than the average carpet cleaning cost nationwide because of the area's higher cost of living and higher rates for transport and travel. Professional carpet cleaning costs $125 to $235 for most homeowners elsewhere in the country.

How do you clean an area rug?

You have four main options for cleaning your area rug: shampooing, steam cleaning, dry or chemical treatments, and hand washing. Shampooing and steam cleaning offer a deep and relatively inexpensive treatment, whereas chemical alternatives have faster drying times. Hand washing is best for delicate, hand-woven materials to prevent damage. DIY rug cleaning might work well for synthetic rugs, but it’s best to hire a professional for hand-woven or delicate materials. Ask an expert to inspect your rug and provide a professional recommendation.

How often should you clean rugs?

The cleaning frequency of rugs depends on several factors, including the rug type, style, and foot traffic. Most rugs should be professionally cleaned annually, with regular vacuuming, rotating, and spot treatment for stains between full cleanings. Consult a local rug cleaner for advice on how often you should clean your specific type and style of rug.

How much does it cost to get a 5x7-foot rug cleaned?

On average, cleaning a typical 5-by-7-foot rug costs between $35 and $280. Dry cleaning, steam cleaning, or chemical cleaning a rug this size ranges from $35 to $190, while hand washing may cost $140 to $280. The exact price of your service depends on your rug’s material and style. Expect to pay more for additional treatments like stain removal or an antimicrobial disinfectant.