The national average cost for steam cleaning is $130 to $180. While most often used for carpet cleaning, you can also use steam to clean everything from furniture to mattresses. The cost typically depends on what you want cleaned (carpet, furniture, mattress, tile, etc.) the square foot size of the area, the kind of surface, and the type of soiling.
If you've ever bought or rented a steam cleaner, you know DIY carpet, curtain, or
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What affects the cost of a professional steam cleaning?
Most areas cost $140-$180 to steam clean, but your total price will depend on a few factors. The biggest factor is the total square feet of the area that needs to be cleaned. While carpet cleaning is the most common reason why homeowners need a steam cleaner, you can also clean furniture, curtains, mattresses, tile, and grout.
Steam cleaning companies typically charge a flat fee, which includes general cleaning as well as stain and odor removal.
Cost of carpet cleaning
Steam cleaners work well for refreshing carpets. Carpet cleaners generally base their prices for steam carpet cleaning on the size and number of rooms. Larger rooms can raise your cleaning cost, and you may pay a two-room fee for exceptionally large rooms.
Some professional steam cleaners charge by the square foot, especially when quoting commercial carpet cleaning jobs.
Below are examples of carpet cleaning prices from several steam cleaning services:
Some professional carpet cleaning companies include hallways in a package deal when cleaning more than one room. In other cases, adding a closet, hallway, or staircase may increase your carpet cleaning price. For example, a cleaner in Miami charges $5 per step to clean carpet on stairways.
The material of your carpet or rug also impacts carpet cleaning costs, since some are more difficult to steam clean than others. For example, berber carpet has a loop construction that makes it difficult to clean when dirt gets into the fibers. For this reason, some professional carpet cleaners charge extra to clean berber with a steam cleaner.
Carpets made of natural fibers such as wool or cotton also may be harder to steam clean or require special detergents or cleaning products.
Even if you vacuum carpeted areas regularly, you should have a professional carpet cleaning service come out at least once a year to remove grime and extend the life of your carpet.
Most carpet manufacturers recommend using a steam cleaner, since it penetrates deep into the carpet fibers to remove dirt and pollutants trapped inside. Steam cleaning also removes most of the moisture, so carpets dry quickly.
Are there other items can be steam cleaned?
Steam cleaners won't just get you a clean carpet. Steam can also help get furniture upholstery, mattresses, and tile and grout cleaner. Like carpet cleaning, the costs for cleaning the items will depend on type and size.
Here are the average costs to use a professional steam cleaner for items other than carpet:
How does steam cleaning work?
In steam cleaning, the steamer heats water past boiling to create steam that comes out through a wand and penetrates the fibers of carpet or upholstery. The steam breaks the bonds of the dirt, dander, and stains, and it also kills bacteria and dust mites, leaving your home cleaner and free of odors.
If you want a chemical-free cleaning, ask the cleaner about their cleaning method. Some carpet cleaning services use chemicals with the steam cleaner for more effective cleaning.
There are multiple types of professional steam cleaners, including small portable cleaners and large truck-mounted units that can easily clean bigger areas. Professional equipment is far more powerful and effective at cleaning than a home steam cleaner.
Should I expect any additional costs?
Especially with carpet cleaning, there are some extras that may increase the cost of a steam cleaning job, such as:
How can I save money on steam cleaning?
A professional carpet cleaning or steam cleaner service doesn't have to break the bank. To cut down on costs on hiring a professional to use a steam cleaner on your carpet or furniture, be sure to:
If you vacuum your carpet regularly and do spot stain removal as needed, you can prevent stains from setting in, keep high traffic areas looking nice and extend the life of your carpet. However, there's nothing quite like having a professional use a steam cleaner on your carpet, furniture, or drapes to give them a long-lasting, fresh look. To get started, find a cleaning service near you on Thumbtack.