Your carpets are used every day and they can catch the brunt of all the things we track in. From dirt and dust to dropped food, our carpets can become a smorgasbord of germs if not cleaned properly.

While your vacuum may pick up most of the glitter your kid dropped or a good scrub may get most of the red wine that your friend spilled, there’s always a feeling you didn’t quite get it all.  

Over time, this will build up and degrade your carpets or leave them discoloured and stained. Luckily, there are plenty of services out there that can give your carpets the royal treatment and bring them back to their original splendour. 

Read on for more information about carpet cleaning including: 

• Benefits of hiring a professional carpet cleaner
• Types of deep carpet cleaning services 
• How much does carpet cleaning cost?
• Getting quotes for professional carpet cleaning

Benefits of hiring a professional carpet cleaner

Our carpets take a lot of the impact from our daily activities. Food spills, dirty shoes, natural dust and everything else. Most of us will keep our carpets and floors in relatively good condition ourselves, vacuuming them regularly or cleaning and scrubbing any spills to avoid staining. 

Despite this, most home carpets will accumulate up to 18kg of dirt every year. This is one of the many reasons why hiring professionals is a good idea, even if you vacuum your carpets every day. Other benefits include: 

Extending the life of your carpet

The life of an average Aussie carpet is around 10 years. This is great, especially if it’s getting a lot of use. Regular cleaning from professionals can help add a few years of life to the carpet so you can save your money for that trip to Bali you’ve been planning. 

Remove stubborn stains

Ground-in stains can be a pain to get out, no matter how many remedies you’ve tried. Professionals are uniquely equipped to deal with these and have specialised equipment. 

Prevent allergens and airborne pollutants

Dirt and dust are only two of the many things that your carpet can hold. Pollen, pet hair, dead skin cells and even dust mites all accumulate in your carpet. The buildup of these gets into the air we breathe and can be the reason for allergies or other respiratory problems. Regular deep cleaning stops this buildup and keeps the air you breathe clean. 

Reduce funky smells 

Smells are notoriously hard to get out of your carpet and they can hang around for a long time. If the last person who lived in your home was a heavy smoker, you’ll know about it. Professionals have the right knowledge and materials to clean your carpet and get rid of any lingering smells. You’ll be surprised how much you get used to it and it’s usually only after a smell is gone that you can appreciate how much it was bothering you. 

Convenience

We all lead busy lives and giving your carpets a deep clean regularly can take a lot of effort, especially if you’re not a professional. Most people hire professionals because they are the most convenient way to keep your house clean. Taking the load off you and letting you use your time for more important things. 

Add value to your home

If you’re looking to sell your house, then keeping the carpets in the best condition is a great way to easily add value to your home. Your buyers will be happy to pay more if they know they aren’t going to have to spend the money replacing the carpets as soon as they move in. 

Types of carpet cleaning

A professional carpet cleaner can provide a range of services. They will take note of what type of carpets and upholstery you have, assess their condition and use appropriate cleaning methods. These may include:

• Carpet dry cleaning: A cleaning solution is applied to the carpet and a rotating buffer with an absorbent pad is moved across its surface. The carpet is then raked to lift it and help it to air
• Carpet steam cleaning: A deep cleaning method that rids the carpet of heavily embedded dirt and contaminants
• Carpet sanitising and deodorising: Removing any bacteria that may be present in the carpet and applying a pleasant odour. This may be done during carpet cleaning or as a separate service
• Stain removal: Stain removal solutions are normally applied to carpets or other upholstery after initial steam cleaning or dry cleaning
• Carpet and fabric protection: Applied to carpets or upholstery after cleaning to create a barrier that repels liquids, stains and soil from sticking to the fibres
• Rug cleaning: Most types of rugs can be cleaned on-site, but if you have very delicate rugs, these may need to be cleaned off-site using special equipment to prevent damage
• Upholstery cleaning: Like carpet cleaning, furniture can be cleaned using either steam cleaning or dry cleaning methods

How much does a carpet cleaner cost?

The cost of carpet cleaning may be charged on a per-room or per-hour basis, depending on the job. If your stairs are carpeted, a carpet cleaner will typically ask how many stairs you have and quote a fixed price per stair.

Carpet cleaners may charge different rates depending on your location and the cleaning techniques and equipment they use, but on average, expect to pay around:

• $10 per room for a one-step clean
• $20–$40 per room for a deeper clean
• $40–$60 per hour

Steam cleaning for carpets costs more than dry cleaning, and special treatments such as fabric protection will normally cost extra. 

Before carpet cleaning begins, be sure to specify any special services you may require so your carpet cleaner can give you a more accurate quote for the cleaning cost.

Questions to ask when hiring a carpet cleaner

Before hiring a carpet cleaner, you might want to know:

• Do you have experience cleaning the type of carpets I have?
• Are you insured to work on my property?
• Do you also clean other upholstery?
• Do you use non-toxic or non-allergenic cleaning products?
• How will you protect my floors during cleaning?
• How long after cleaning will I be able to walk on the carpet?
• Do you have references I can follow up on?

Carpet cleaning FAQs 

How much does carpet cleaning typically cost per hour?

Carpet cleaning costs $40 to $60 per hour on average in Australia. Cleaners may also charge per room, at an average of $20 to $40 depending on its size and the type of cleaning.

How often should I have my carpets cleaned professionally?

In the best case, you should have your carpets cleaned every 12 – 18 months. This is the ideal time frame to prolong the life of your carpets and keep them fresh and smelling good. 

Is professional carpet cleaning worth it?

Hiring professional carpet cleaners is cost-effective, as it will make your carpets clean and presentable while also avoiding the mistakes that could happen if you try to clean carpets yourself.