How much will it cost to clean my area rug?
The price to clean an area rug will vary depending on the size and type of rug, but you can expect to spend anywhere from $1.64 to $7.12 per square foot.
You need to have your area rugs cleaned.
Though you know that regular cleaning will keep them looking nice and extend their life, you’re curious about the costs.
You have to determine if replacement or cleaning is the best decision for your budget and goals.
And things aren’t always straightforward – there are many variables when it comes to area rug cleaning costs.
To get the answers you need, we have to dig into a few specifics, such as what your rug is made of, how it was made, and what type of damage it has.
Let’s dive in a little deeper.
We’ll make it as simple as possible to understand area rug cleaning cost.
Table of Contents
Are there any area rugs that cannot be cleaned?
The formula for determining area rug cleaning cost
The cost of cleaning Oriental rugs and area rugs
How to determine rug cleaning cost
- Domestic rugs/carpets cleaning cost
- Synthetic area rug cleaning cost
- Machine-made wool rug cleaning cost
- Handmade wool rug cleaning cost
- Specialty rug cleaning cost.
Additional area rug and Oriental rug cleaning services
- Pad cleaning
- Teflon protection
- Anti-allergen treatment
- Wool treatment
- Topical deodorization
- Antimicrobial/disinfectant
How long does area rug cleaning take?
Are there any area rugs that cannot be cleaned?
Absolutely, positively without a doubt, all types of rugs can be cleaned.
However, we’ll be as transparent as possible.
We’ll ask you some questions about your expectations and give you the information you need to make an informed decision for your beloved rug.
Despite the variables for rug-cleaning costs, HammondKnoll’s years of experience – combined with the millions of rugs cleaned – gives us the ability to “ballpark” some basic costs.
The formula for determining area rug cleaning cost
Determining rug cleaning cost
The length of the rug is multiplied by the width to determine the total square feet. That total is multiplied by the price-per-square-foot to get the cost.
When calculating the cost to clean floors, we base everything on the rug’s square footage.
The length is multiplied by the width to find the total square feet.
For example, a rug that is 4 feet wide and 6 feet long is 24 square feet.
The next step is to multiply the 24 by the square footage price.
Continuing with the example, If the cost per square foot is $1.64, the cost of cleaning would be $39.36.
Keep in mind, we do round inches up or down, so these prices may vary slightly.
Keep in mind, we do round inches up or down, so these prices may vary slightly.
Area rug cleaning cost
Hint: Before reading each of the following descriptions, look at the back (typically on a corner) of your rug for a tag specifying the fiber content. Often, the sizes are also included on the tag.
Here are some examples of the price you may pay for cleaning your area rugs or oriental rugs:
- Domestic rug/carpet: $1.64 per square foot
- Synthetic area rug: $2.69 per square foot
- Machine-made wool rug: $3.55 per square foot
- Handmade wool rugs: $4.16 per square foot
- Hand washing specialty rugs, tapestries & hides: $7.12 per square foot
Check out the pricing for additional services and costs that are included toward the bottom of the page.
Sample area rug cleaning costs depending on material
- Domestic rug: $1.64/ sq. ft.
- Synthetic rug: $2.69/ sq. ft.
- Machine-made wool rug: $3.55/ sq. ft.
- Handmade wool rug: $4.16/ sq. ft.
- Hand washing specialty rugs, tapestries & hides: $7.12/ sq. ft.
How to determine rug cleaning cost
Here’s a breakdown of the cost of area rug cleaning, based on the based fiber, style and type of rug you have.
1. Domestic rugs/carpets cleaning cost
This refers to a piece of regular carpet with binding or edging.
Carpet fibers that contain nylon, polypropylene (aka olefin), triexta, and polyester would fall under this category.
You can expect to pay approximately $1.64 per square foot to have your domestic carpet cleaned.
Pricing example: For a 5′-7″ x 8′-2″ (44 square feet) domestic rug with general soiling, you would pay around $72.16.
2. Synthetic area rug cleaning cost
These types of rugs will typically have a pattern and be multi-colored, and are usually made with olefin, polypropylene and nylon.
You’ll find them at major retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, JcPenney’s, and Wayfair, to name a few well-known stores.
Synthetic rugs can have a “plastic” or “coarse” feel.
The cost to clean a synthetic area rug is about $2.69 per square foot.
Pricing example: For a 3’6″ x 5’2″ olefin rug with fringes on the ends and moderate soiling, you’ll pay around $50.35.
It’s important to note that the tassels or fringes are included in the size measurement.
3. Machine-made wool rug cleaning cost
Some popular types of machine-made wool rugs are brands like Wiltons, Karastan, Couristan, as well as styles such as braided, hook rugs and hand-tufted.
These rugs, as well as other machine-made wool rugs, are typically purchased from Macy’s, Pottery Barn, Pier One Imports and IKEA.
Wool has a soft feel, though it’s not quite as soft as cotton or silk, and typically, the fibers are a bit thicker than a synthetic rug.
Below is an image of one of the most popular rugs we see, the Panel Kirman design by Karastan.
The cost of cleaning machine–made wool rugs is approximately $3.55 per square foot.
Pricing example: An 8′-8″ x 12′ machine-made wool rug with or without fringe and heavy soiling will cost about $377.0
4. Handmade wool rug cleaning cost
There are many different types of handmade (also referred to as “hand-tied”) wool rugs.
Because there are so many varieties, you’ll find differences in how dense and how thick they are.
They come from many places around the world and include:
- Persian.
- Chinese.
- Indian.
- Pakistani.
- Romanian.
- Bokhara.
- Moroccan.
- Flokatis.
A handmade wool rug will cost approximately $4.16/square foot.
Pricing example: A 6′-1″x 9′-2″ hand-tied rug with moderate soil and stains would cost approximately $224.64.
5. Specialty rug cleaning cost.
This category includes tapestries, faux silk, viscose, silk rugs, Kilims, animal skins and camel bags (that’s right – we have seen many, many over the years!).
A tapestry is typically used as a wall-hanging. Here are two examples of tapestry wall hangings:
It will cost you around $7.12 per square foot to have your specialty rug cleaned.
Pricing example: A delicate 2′-6″ x 2′-6″ wall-hanging with light soiling will run approximately $44.50.
Additional area rug and Oriental rug cleaning services
What are the costs for additional rug cleaning services?
Additional rug cleaning services and the average cost include:
- Pad cleaning: $.81/ sq. ft.
- Teflon protection: $.57/ sq. ft.
- Anti-allergen treatment: $.58/ sq. ft.
- Wool treatment: $1.16/ sq. ft.
- Topical deodorization: $.81/ sq. ft.
- Antimicrobial disinfectant: $2.36/ sq. ft.
It’s important to routinely have your rug cleaned to prolong its life.
Dust, dirt and soil can break down the fibers over time.
That’s not to mention the health benefits of removing dust and the mites that can cause allergies, as well as providing a sanitary area for pets and children.
Often, some sort of problem is the motivating factor to cause a rug to be cleaned.
The top five stains we see are:
- Pet urine.
- Pet feces.
- Wine spills.
- Coffee stains.
- Cat vomit.
In addition to area rug cleaning, here are some other services we offer:
1. Pad cleaning
Some pads can be cleaned, such as Durahold, DownUnder and No Muv.
If you purchased your pad through HammondKnoll, the chances that your pad can be cleaned are very high.
Anti-allergen treatment takes care of dust mites, pet dander and other allergens in rugs, but it can also be used for upholstery, mattresses and carpet.
Anti-allergen treatment costs $.58 per square foot.
2. Wool treatment
This application is for a material that may come into contact with moths and can be applied after a rug has been cleaned.
The treatment can repel any moths or larva from penetrating the fiber.
Wool treatment is $1.16 per square foot.
3. Topical deodorization
Some rugs may have a light odor from cooking, pet messes or even mildew.
If it’s a slight smell then topical deodorization will most likely take care of the issue.
Topical deodorization will cost you about $.81 per square foot.
4. Antimicrobial/disinfectant
This treatment is mainly used for heavy odors such as pet urine, smoke, skunk or any other pungent odor.
If the smell knocks your socks off, it’s time to use this process.
Keep in mind that the turn-around time is two weeks, including the cleaning process.
There are a few options from which to choose:
- The cost of antimicrobial/disinfectant is $2.36 per square foot.
- Wrapping in paper (for safe long term storage of rugs) is $.45 per square foot.
- Ozone treatment is available (for extreme smoke and food odors) and requires a custom estimate.
How long does area rug cleaning take?
Typically, rugs are done in approximately one week, but some rugs may require two weeks if they need repairs, have significant pet-urine stains/odors or they’re getting an antimicrobial treatment.
Here are some additional particulars that you need to know:
- Each rug has a minimum cleaning price of $25, which is not valid with discounts or other offers.
- Free pickup and delivery are available when our truck is in your area during weekdays. (A different day is also an option – just give us a call to discuss details.) Check out our pickup and delivery video.
- Most minimums are $165, depending on your location.
Trust your beloved area rugs to the experts
It’s always better to properly maintain your rugs than to constantly replace them.
It can take a toll on your budget – and your heart if you have special, hand-me-down items that have been in your family for years.
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to getting your area rugs cleaned.
The size, type and material will all play a part in determining how your rug is cleaned and how much it will cost you.
Our expert rug specialists are the best in the industry when it comes to cleaning and problem-solving. Check out our amazing reviews on Google, Yelp and Facebook.
