How Much to Clean and Stretch Carpet (+ Money Saving Tips)

Sophisticated floors have been ruling households, especially in recent years. But I’m telling you, carpets are still arguably the most preferred flooring today. Why would you even be here if not?

But just like typical floors, they share a handful of cleaning and maintenance regimens that are, unfortunately, our most hated part.

Sometimes, you just want to toss away your old carpet rather than go through the whole cleaning and repair ordeal. Well, I can’t blame you.

If you’re too busy (or lazy) to do these yourself, prepare a budget of about $40 to $230 for cleaning and around $99 to $150 for stretching.

These figures mainly depend on the size of the project, the type of cleaning, tools, and machines to be used, and other services that you might need to include. So after reading this article, you’ll know how much exactly you will need to spend for deep cleaning and stretching your carpet when the need arises.

Average Cost of Carpet Cleaning and Stretching

The average cost to clean carpet ranges from $100 to $250, mainly depending on the area and the type of cleaning used. On the other hand, carpet stretching would cost around $50 to $100 per room.

Note that all of these will also depend on where you live. As you probably know, $100 won’t buy you the same amount of goods and services in California and Arkansas!

For example, at TheFloorMender.com in Texas, these are the prices per type of service you need:

Carpet Cleaning

• Per 200 sq. ft. area, up to 3 rooms: $134 base price + tax
• 4 rooms: $179 + tax
• 5 rooms: $207 + tax
• Additional area like hall costs $28 + tax

Carpet Stretching

• Per single room (144 sq. ft): $150
• If there are multiple rooms, the first room costs $99, and each additional will have an extra price of $65.

If you only need to clean your carpet, here’s an in-depth guide to how much you’ll need to shell out.

The Extras (But You Can Still Save!)

If you need different services, I suggest that you better have them performed by the same company.

More often than not, pricing includes mobilization of equipment and tools as well as transportation costs. If the pro uses the same set of machines, you would likely get a discount for the saved expenses from the company’s end.

A few of these extra services include:

• Stairs cleaning: $4.25 per step + tax
• Area rug cleaning: $1.10 per sq. ft. for regular
• Area rug cleaning: $1.50 per sq. ft. for oriental

Factors Affecting Cost of Carpet Cleaning and Stretching

• Area or size of the room
• Severity of the soiling or dirt (cleaning)
• Severity of the wrinkles and creases (stretching)
• Carpet material
• Type of cleaning
• Type of tools or machines to be used
• Presence of furniture to be moved
• Location

What Is Carpet Stretching?

You’ll encounter creases and wrinkles on your carpet when it’s not properly installed. Another significant factor is age.

When it has seen the light of day, it has understandably depreciated a lot due to years of foot traffic.

This isn’t only an eyesore but can also potentially make you trip and fall if the lumps are nasty! Also, placing furniture would be difficult because the carpet is no longer even.

If you feel it still can serve you a few more years and is still reasonably pleasing to the eyes, you may opt for having it stretched. Installers use special instruments like a power stretcher or knee kicker, depending on the size of the room.

Why Do You Need to Have Your Carpets Cleaned?

Dirty sight can’t kill you. But I’m telling you, all else on your carpet can!

The American Lung Association states that the air quality at home greatly contributes to the risk of lung diseases such as infections, cancer, and asthma.

One of the most notorious sources of pollutants is your unassuming carpet!

Because carpets tend to trap pollutants like dirt, dust, dust mites, mold spores, and the likes, it is crucial to regularly clean them to reduce, if not totally eliminate, the risk.

Will Carpet Cleaning and Stretching Take More of Your Time?

Besides the cost, you will also be concerned about how long it takes to clean and stretch carpet. Despite hiring a pro, it still would be bothersome to have strangers around the house that you need to keep an eye on.

In short, whether you DIY or hire a pro, the amount of time you will spend on it will be the same. Less the fatigue, of course.

The good news is that the carpet cleaning in itself only takes about 20 minutes. But if there are thorough preparations needed such as moving of furniture, it can take about an hour.

Drying, on the other hand, can take up to 24 hours if you only depend on air drying. (There are ways to speed it up though!)

Frequently Asked Questions

Should Carpet Be Stretched Before Cleaning?

You know why you should repair a tear, cut, or any other damage to your clothes before washing them, right? Well, the same logic applies to carpet: you should stretch it before cleaning to avoid further damage.

In other words, not doing it could make the wrinkles worse.

This can further complicate the task because creases tend to bunch up when you vacuum or pass your cleaner on.

It becomes safer for both the machine and the operator when the wrinkles are gone.

Do You Have to Remove Furniture to Stretch Carpet?

The short answer is YES. Removing furniture makes carpet stretching much easier without anything that will get in the way.

However, it is not ideal if you have humongous furniture at home. At least, from a practicality and cost point of view.

From a former pro cleaner and stretcher perspective, a good 50% clearance would be enough to work on. This gives me ample access to the wrinkles and walls to which I am stretching the carpet.